A versatile GPIB breakout board used to expose the individual signal and data lines on a GPIB cable connection. The perfect accessory to trace problems with gpib communications.

The 40 pin box header follows the HP standard for 40 pin Logic Analysers and HP 54xxx Mixed Signal scopes. No need to fiddle around with individual probes. Just plug and play the HP digital cable into the breakout board which includes the correct terminations.

A HP logic analyser or digital input scope is optional, desirable and, not essential. There is a second 40 pin header that exposes the raw signal and data lines. The pins can be individually probed by a another instrument..

It is also easy to make up your own cable set to connect the signal and data lines to any instrument.

The board is designed to be hand-soldered. The 91k resistor is stacked on top of the 8.2pF capacitor to keep the PCB simple. The adjacent header pins help provide physical protection to stop the components being knocked off.

The board is entirely passive. No power required.

The board includes notches along the side edges for 3mm screws used to clamp an enclosure. I have not designed an enclosure but if you want to design and make an enclosure, these notches will facilitate fastening to the enclosure.

The gpib breakout board is self documenting. The text on the PCB identifies all of the signal and data lines. No need to trace tracks or refer to standards. Just plug and play.