GPIB-140A
May 15, 2026

GPIB-140A

The GPIB‑140A is a buffered GPIB bus extender that overcomes the standard IEEE 488 distance (20 m) and device (15 units) limits. It transparently extends GPIB communication up to 1 km (GPIB‑140A) or 2 km (GPIB‑140A/2) and increases the maximum device count to 31, with no software changes required. Fully IEEE 488.1/488.2 and HS488 compatible.

Description

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GPIB‑140A

National Instruments GPIB Bus Extender (IEEE 488.1/488.2 / HS488)

Status: Discontinued (EOL), legacy high‑speed GPIB extender

General Description

The GPIB‑140A is a buffered GPIB bus extender that overcomes the standard IEEE 488 distance (20 m) and device (15 units) limits. It transparently extends GPIB communication up to 1 km (GPIB‑140A) or 2 km (GPIB‑140A/2) and increases the maximum device count to 31, with no software changes required. Fully IEEE 488.1/488.2 and HS488 compatible.

Part Numbers

  • Model: GPIB‑140A (1 km) / GPIB‑140A/2 (2 km)

  • NI PN: 777997‑01 / ‑02 / ‑03 / ‑04 / ‑05 / ‑06 (variants)

  • Alternate: 186135G‑01

Key Specifications

  • Max Distance: 1 km (GPIB‑140A) / 2 km (GPIB‑140A/2)

  • Max Devices: 31 (up from 15 standard)

  • Data Rate:

    • IEEE 488.1: 1.1 Mb/s

    • HS488: 2.8 Mb/s (GPIB‑140A/2 up to 7.2 Mb/s)

  • Compatibility: IEEE 488.1, IEEE 488.2, HS488

  • Connectors:

    • GPIB: 24‑pin IEEE 488 male

    • Power: DC jack

  • Power: +5 VDC, 500 mA max

  • Operating Temp: ‑20 °C to +55 °C

  • Dimensions: 141 × 102 × 25 mm (5.56 × 4.02 × 0.98 in)

  • Weight: 0.2 kg (0.44 lb)

Main Features

  • Transparent extension: No software changes; works with existing NI‑488.2 / LabVIEW code

  • Buffered architecture: Regenerates signals for long‑distance, noise‑immune operation

  • HS488 high speed: Supports fastest GPIB transfers for high‑throughput test systems

  • Device expansion: Doubles instrument count to 31 for large test benches

  • Compact rugged metal case: For lab and industrial environments

  • LED indicators: Power and activity for quick diagnostics

Applications

  • Large test systems: Long‑distance GPIB control in R&D/manufacturing labs

  • Distributed instrumentation: Control oscilloscopes, DMMs, power supplies, spectrum analyzers over 1–2 km

  • Production ATE: High‑speed, multi‑instrument automated test equipment

  • Legacy system upgrades: Extend life of existing GPIB test setups

Compatibility

  • Works with all NI GPIB controllers (PCIe‑GPIB, USB‑GPIB, etc.)

  • Software: NI‑488.2 driver, LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI

Replacement Note

GPIB‑140A is EOL. For new designs, use USB‑GPIB or PCIe‑GPIB controllers with fiber‑optic extenders (longer distance, better noise immunity) or migrate to Ethernet/LXI instruments for modern distributed test systems.


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