Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!ucsd!ucbvax!hplabs!hp-pcd!hplsla!kens
From: kens@hplsla.HP.COM (Ken Snyder)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: IEEE-488 Interface?
Message-ID: <5190053@hplsla.HP.COM>
Date: 25 Oct 89 17:42:39 GMT
References: <8910250801.AA04854@euler.Berkeley.EDU>
Organization: HP Lake Stevens, WA
Lines: 19

> I heard some peripherals use an "IEEE-488 interface" instead of RS232 serial
> or Centronics parallel. What is it? Is this interface compatible to RS232?
> Do I need to buy a special card for this interface in case I have a device
> to use on my pc? Wher can I get the card? any recommendations?

  The IEEE-488 interface, also known as the HP-IB (here at HP where the
standard was invented) is an 8 bit parallel interface with special handshaking
and other lines to implement a fast bus between instruments and computers.
It also has a specific protocol associated with how the control lines are
used.  You cannot "kludge" an interface to RS-232 or centronics parallel
by simply rewiring the connector.

  There are a few vendors who make HP-IB interface cards for the pc.  HP is
one of them, National makes one and I believe IBM.  I use HP's (for obvious
reasons) to drive my printer and a plotter with HP-IB interfaces.

  Go fer it,

 Ken