# GPIB

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General Purpose Interface Bus specification

For the Indonesian Reformed church with the same abbreviation, see [Protestant Church in Western Indonesia](/source/Protestant_Church_in_Western_Indonesia).

GPIB General Purpose Interface Bus Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus Year created 1972[1] Speed 8 Mbyte/s Style Parallel Website standards.ieee.org/ieee/488.1/716/

IEEE 488 cable with stacking connectors

**General Purpose Interface Bus** (**GPIB**) or **Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus** (**HP-IB**) is a short-range digital communications [8-bit](/source/8-bit) [parallel](/source/Parallel_communication) [multi-master](/source/Multi-master_bus) [interface bus](/source/Interface_(computing)) specification originally developed by [Hewlett-Packard](/source/Hewlett-Packard) and standardized in **IEEE 488.1-2003**. It subsequently became the subject of several standards. Although the bus was originally created to connect together [automated test equipment](/source/Automated_test_equipment), it also had some success as a [peripheral bus](/source/Peripheral_bus) for early [microcomputers](/source/Microcomputer), notably the [Commodore PET](/source/Commodore_PET). Newer standards have largely replaced IEEE 488 for computer use, but it is still used by test equipment.

## History

In the 1960s, [Hewlett-Packard](/source/Hewlett-Packard) (HP) manufactured various automated test and measurement instruments, such as digital [multimeters](/source/Multimeter) and [logic analyzers](/source/Logic_analyzer). They developed the *HP Interface Bus (HP-IB)* to enable easier interconnection between instruments and controllers (computers and other instruments).[2] This part of HP was later (c. 1999) spun off as [Agilent Technologies](/source/Agilent_Technologies), and in 2014 Agilent's test and measurement division was spun off as [Keysight Technologies](/source/Keysight_Technologies).[3][4]

The bus was relatively easy to implement using the technology at the time, using a simple parallel [bus](/source/Bus_(computing)) and several individual control lines. For example, the HP 59501 Power Supply Programmer and HP 59306A Relay Actuator were both relatively simple HP-IB peripherals implemented in [TTL](/source/Transistor%E2%80%93transistor_logic), without the need for a microprocessor.

HP licensed the HP-IB patents for a nominal fee to other manufacturers. It became known as the General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), and became a [de facto standard](/source/De_facto_standard) for automated and industrial instrument control. As GPIB became popular, it was formalized by various [standards organizations](/source/Standards_organization).

In 1975, the [IEEE](/source/Institute_of_Electrical_and_Electronics_Engineers) standardized the bus as *Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation*, IEEE 488; it was revised in 1978 (producing IEEE 488-1978).[5] The standard was revised in 1987, and redesignated as IEEE 488.1 (IEEE 488.1-1987). These standards formalized the mechanical, electrical, and basic protocol parameters of GPIB, but said nothing about the format of commands or data.

In 1987, IEEE introduced *Standard Codes, Formats, Protocols, and Common Commands*, IEEE 488.2. It was revised in 1992.[6] IEEE 488.2 provided for basic syntax and format conventions, as well as device-independent commands, data structures, error protocols, and the like. IEEE 488.2 built on IEEE 488.1 without superseding it; equipment can conform to IEEE 488.1 without following IEEE 488.2.

While IEEE 488.1 defined the hardware and IEEE 488.2 defined the protocol, there was still no standard for instrument-specific commands. Commands to control the same class of instrument, *e.g.*, multimeters, varied between manufacturers and even models.

The United States Air Force,[7] and later Hewlett-Packard, recognized this as a problem. In 1989, HP developed their Test Measurement Language (TML)[8] or Test and Measurement Systems Language (TMSL)[9] which was the forerunner to [Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation](/source/Standard_Commands_for_Programmable_Instrumentation) (SCPI), introduced as an industry standard in 1990.[10] SCPI added standard generic commands, and a series of instrument classes with corresponding class-specific commands. SCPI mandated the IEEE 488.2 syntax, but allowed other (non-IEEE 488.1) physical transports.

The [IEC](/source/International_Electrotechnical_Commission) developed their own standards in parallel with the IEEE, with IEC 60625-1 and IEC 60625-2 (IEC 625), later replaced by [IEC 60488-2](/source/IEC_60884).

[National Instruments](/source/National_Instruments) introduced a backward-compatible extension to IEEE 488.1, originally known as HS-488. It increased the maximum data rate to 8 [Mbyte](/source/Megabyte)/s, although the rate decreases as more devices are connected to the bus. This was incorporated into the standard in 2003 (IEEE 488.1-2003),[11] over HP's objections.[12][13]

In 2004, the IEEE and IEC combined their respective standards into a "Dual Logo" IEEE/IEC standard IEC 60488-1, *Standard for Higher Performance Protocol for the Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation - Part 1: General*,[14] replaces IEEE 488.1/IEC 60625-1, and IEC 60488-2,*Part 2: Codes, Formats, Protocols and Common Commands*,[15] replaces IEEE 488.2/IEC 60625-2.[16]

The [Linux kernel](/source/Linux_kernel) got support for GPIB with version 6.19, after [Greg Kroah-Hartman](/source/Greg_Kroah-Hartman) merged the code.[17]

## Characteristics

IEEE 488 is an [8-bit](/source/8-bit), electrically [parallel](/source/Parallel_communication) bus which employs sixteen signal lines — eight used for bi-directional data transfer, three for [handshake](/source/Handshake_(computing)), and five for bus management — plus eight ground return lines.

The bus supports 31 five-bit primary device addresses numbered from 0 to 30, allocating a unique address to each device on the bus.[18][19]

The standard allows up to 15 devices to share a single physical bus of up to 20 metres (66 ft) total cable length. The physical topology can be linear or star (forked).[20] Active extenders allow longer buses, with up to 31 devices theoretically possible on a logical bus.

Control and data transfer functions are logically separated; a controller can address one device as a "talker" and one or more devices as "listeners" without having to participate in the data transfer. It is possible for multiple controllers to share the same bus, but only one can be the "Controller In Charge" at a time.[21]

In the original protocol, transfers use an interlocked, three-wire *ready–valid–accepted* handshake.[22] The maximum data rate is about one megabyte per second. The later HS-488 extension relaxes the handshake requirements, allowing up to 8 Mbyte/s. The slowest participating device determines the speed of the bus.[23]

## Connectors

IEEE 488 Pinout Female IEEE 488 connector Pin 1 DIO1 Data input/output bit Pin 2 DIO2 Data input/output bit Pin 3 DIO3 Data input/output bit Pin 4 DIO4 Data input/output bit Pin 5 EOI End-or-identify Pin 6 DAV Data valid Pin 7 NRFD Not ready for data Pin 8 NDAC Not data accepted Pin 9 IFC Interface clear Pin 10 SRQ Service request Pin 11 ATN Attention Pin 12 SHIELD Pin 13 DIO5 Data input/output bit Pin 14 DIO6 Data input/output bit Pin 15 DIO7 Data input/output bit Pin 16 DIO8 Data input/output bit Pin 17 REN Remote enable Pin 18 GND (wire twisted with DAV) Pin 19 GND (wire twisted with NRFD) Pin 20 GND (wire twisted with NDAC) Pin 21 GND (wire twisted with IFC) Pin 22 GND (wire twisted with SRQ) Pin 23 GND (wire twisted with ATN) Pin 24 Logic ground

IEEE 488 specifies a 24-pin [Amphenol](/source/Amphenol)-designed [micro ribbon](/source/Micro_ribbon) connector. Micro ribbon connectors have a D-shaped metal shell, but are larger than [D-subminiature](/source/D-subminiature) connectors. They are sometimes called "Centronics connectors" after the [36-pin micro ribbon](/source/IEEE_1284) connector [Centronics](/source/Centronics) used for their printers.

One unusual feature of IEEE 488 connectors is they commonly use a "double-headed" design, with male on one side, and female on the other. This allows stacking connectors for easy [daisy-chaining](/source/Daisy_chain_(electrical_engineering)). Mechanical considerations limit the number of stacked connectors to four or fewer, although a workaround involving physically supporting the connectors may be able to get around this.

They are held in place by screws, either #6-32 [UNC](/source/Unified_Thread_Standard#Unified_Screw_Threads_—_UNC,_UNF_and_UNEF)[24] (now largely obsolete) or [metric](/source/ISO_metric_screw_thread) M3.5×0.6 [threads](/source/Screw_thread). Early versions of the standard suggested that metric screws should be blackened to avoid confusion with the incompatible UTS threads. However, by the 1987 revision this was no longer considered necessary because of the prevalence of metric threads.[25]

The IEC 60625 standard prescribes the use of 25-pin [D-subminiature](/source/D-subminiature) connectors (the same as used for the [parallel port](/source/Parallel_port) on [IBM PC compatibles](/source/IBM_PC_compatible)). This connector did not gain significant market acceptance against the established 24-pin connector.

## Capabilities

IEEE-488 port with listed capabilities on a laboratory temperature controller

Capabilities[26] Function Abbreviation Description and examples Source Handshake SH 1 Complete Acceptor Handshake AH 1 Complete Basic Talker T 5 Responds to serial poll; untalks when listen address received; talk only capability 6 Untalks when listen address received; no talk only 7 No serial poll; untalks when listen address received; talk only capability Extended Talker TE 0 No extended talker Basic Listener L 3 Listen only mode; unlistens if talk address received 4 Unlistens if talk address received Extended Listener LE 0 No extended listener Service Request SR 0 No service request capability 1 Complete Remote-Local RL 0 No local lockout 1 Complete Parallel Poll PP 0 Does not respond to Parallel Poll Device Clear DC 1 complete Device Trigger DT 0 No device trigger capability 1 Complete Controller C 0 No controller function E 1 Open collector drive electronics 2 Three state drivers

## Use as a computer interface

[National Instruments](/source/National_Instruments) GPIB controller card for [PCI](/source/Peripheral_Component_Interconnect) bus

HP's designers did not specifically plan for IEEE 488 to be a peripheral interface for general-purpose computers; the focus was on instrumentation. But when HP's early [microcomputers](/source/Microcomputer) needed an interface for peripherals ([disk drives](/source/Disk_drive), [tape drives](/source/Tape_drive), [printers](/source/Computer_printer), [plotters](/source/Plotter), etc.), HP-IB was readily available and easily adapted to the purpose.

HP computer products which used HP-IB included the [HP Series 80](/source/HP_Series_80), [HP 9800 series](/source/HP_9800_series),[27] the [HP 2100](/source/HP_2100) series,[28] and the [HP 3000](/source/HP_3000) series.[29] HP computer peripherals which did not utilize the RS-232 communication interface often used HP-IB including disc systems like the [HP 7935](/source/HP_7935). Some of HP's advanced pocket calculators of the 1980s, such as the [HP-41](/source/HP-41) and [HP-71B](/source/HP-71B) series, also had IEEE 488 capabilities, via an optional [HP-IL](/source/HP-IL)/HP-IB interface module.

Other manufacturers adopted GPIB for their computers as well, such as with the [Tektronix 405x](/source/Tektronix_405x) line.

The [Commodore PET](/source/Commodore_PET) (introduced 1977) range of personal computers connected their peripherals using the IEEE 488 bus, but with a non-standard card edge connector. Commodore's following 8-bit machines utilized a [serial bus](/source/Commodore_bus) whose protocol was based on IEEE 488.[30] Commodore marketed an IEEE 488 cartridge for the VIC-20[31] and the Commodore 64.[32] Several third party suppliers of [Commodore 64 peripherals](/source/Commodore_64_peripherals) made a cartridge for the C64 that provided an IEEE 488-derived interface on a card edge connector similar to that of the PET series.[33]

Eventually, faster, more complete standards such as [SCSI](/source/SCSI) superseded IEEE 488 for peripheral access.

		- Rear of [Commodore 8032-SK](/source/Commodore_PET) showing IEEE 488 port

		- Rear of [Commodore](/source/Commodore_International) SFD 1001 [floppy disk drive](/source/Floppy_disk_drive) with IEEE 488 port

		- C64 interface

		- [Acorn](/source/Acorn_Computers) IEEE 488 Interface

		- [USB](/source/USB) GPIB [Protocol converter](/source/Protocol_converter)

		- Rear of [Tektronix](/source/Tektronix) TDS 210 digital [oscilloscope](/source/Oscilloscope) with IEEE 488 port

		- Rear of [Keysight](/source/Keysight) 34970A [data acquisition](/source/Data_acquisition) chassis / [multimeter](/source/Multimeter) with IEEE 488 port

		- Rear of [Keithley](/source/Keithley_Instruments) DMM7510 [multimeter](/source/Multimeter) with IEEE 488 port

		- [HP](/source/Hewlett-Packard) 7580B [plotter](/source/Plotter) with IEEE 488 port

		- HP [ThinkJet](/source/ThinkJet) 2225A with IEEE 488 port

## Comparison with other interface standards

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Electrically, IEEE 488 used a hardware interface that could be implemented with some discrete logic or with a microcontroller. The hardware interface enabled devices made by different manufacturers to communicate with a single host. Since each device generated the asynchronous handshaking signals required by the bus protocol, slow and fast devices could be mixed on one bus. The data transfer is relatively slow, so [transmission line](/source/Transmission_line) issues such as impedance matching and line termination are ignored. There was no requirement for [galvanic isolation](/source/Galvanic_isolation) between the bus and devices, which created the possibility of [ground loops](/source/Ground_loop_(electricity)) causing extra noise and loss of data.

Physically, the IEEE 488 connectors and cabling were rugged and held in place by screws. While physically large and sturdy connectors were an advantage in industrial or laboratory set ups, the size and cost of the connectors was a liability in applications such as personal computers.

Although the electrical and physical interfaces were well defined, there was not an initial standard command set. Devices from different manufacturers might use different commands for the same function.[34] Some aspects of the command protocol standards were not standardized until [Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments](/source/Standard_Commands_for_Programmable_Instruments) (SCPI) in 1990. Implementation options (e.g. end of transmission handling) can complicate interoperability in pre-IEEE 488.2 devices.

More recent standards such as [USB](/source/USB), [FireWire](/source/FireWire), and [Ethernet](/source/Ethernet) take advantage of declining costs of interface electronics to implement more complex standards providing higher bandwidth. The multi-conductor (parallel data) connectors and shielded cable were inherently more costly than the connectors and cabling that could be used with serial data transfer standards such as [RS-232](/source/RS-232), [RS-485](/source/RS-485), USB, FireWire or Ethernet. Very few mass-market personal computers or peripherals (such as printers or scanners) implemented IEEE 488.

## See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [IEEE 488](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:IEEE_488).

- [Commodore bus](/source/Commodore_bus) – Serial bus of the home computers series of Commodore

- [HP Series 80](/source/HP_Series_80) – 1980 Hewlett-Packard small scientific desktop computer

- [HP-IL](/source/HP-IL) – Communications protocol

- [LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation](/source/LAN_eXtensions_for_Instrumentation) – Ethernet standard

- [PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation](/source/PCI_eXtensions_for_Instrumentation) – Laboratory instrumentation hardware platform

- [Rocky Mountain BASIC](/source/Rocky_Mountain_BASIC) – Dialect of the BASIC programming language

- [Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments](/source/Standard_Commands_for_Programmable_Instruments) – Communications protocol for test equipment

- [Virtual Instrument Software Architecture](/source/Virtual_Instrument_Software_Architecture) – Test and measurement APIPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["The Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB)"](https://www.hp9845.net/9845/tutorials/hpib/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Nelson, Gerald E.; Ricci, David W. (October 1972). ["A Practical Interface System for Electronic Instruments"](http://hparchive.com/Journals/HPJ-1972-10.pdf) (PDF). *Hewlett-Packard Journal*. **24** (2): 2–7. Controllers: 3260A Marked Card Reader; [9820A](/source/HP_9800_series#Second_generation) Calculator (with 11144A Interface Kit) Loughry, Donald C. (October 1972). ["A Common Digital Interface for Programmable Instruments: The Evolution of a System"](http://hparchive.com/Journals/HPJ-1972-10.pdf) (PDF). *Hewlett-Packard Journal*. **24** (2): 8–11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Agilent Technologies Reveals Name of Electronic Measurement Spin-Off Company"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191208020546/https://www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/presrel/2014/07jan-gp14001.html). Agilent. 7 January 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/presrel/2014/07jan-gp14001.html) on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Exhibit 99.1"](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1601046/000104746914001833/a2218670zex-99_1.htm). *www.sec.gov*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** *IEEE Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation*, [Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers](/source/Institute_of_Electrical_and_Electronics_Engineers), 1978, [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1109/IEEESTD.1978.7425098](https://doi.org/10.1109%2FIEEESTD.1978.7425098), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-5044-0366-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-5044-0366-5), ANSI/IEEE Std 488-1978 *IEEE Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation*, [Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers](/source/Institute_of_Electrical_and_Electronics_Engineers), 1987, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-471-62222-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-471-62222-2), ANSI/IEEE Std 488.1-1987, p. iii

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** *IEEE Standard Codes, Formats, Protocols, and Common Commands for Use With IEEE Std 488.1-1987, IEEE Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation*, [Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers](/source/Institute_of_Electrical_and_Electronics_Engineers), 1992, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-55937-238-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-55937-238-1), IEEE Std 488.2-1992

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Project Mate in 1985

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["GPIB 101, A Tutorial of the GPIB Bus"](http://www.icselect.com/ab_note.html#anchor338658). ICS Electronics. p. 5, paragraph = SCPI Commands.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Hewlett Packard Test & Measurement Catalog 1991"](http://hparchive.com/Catalogs/HP-Catalog-1991.pdf) (PDF). hparchive.com. p. 8, paragraph = SCPI.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["History of GPIB"](http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3419). National Instruments. Retrieved 2010-02-06. In 1990, the IEEE 488.2 specification included the Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI) document.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Upgraded Standard Boosts Speed of IEEE 488 Instrument Buses Eightfold"](https://web.archive.org/web/20031207052849/http://standards.ieee.org/announcements/pr_4881upgrade.html). IEEE. 2003-10-06. Archived from [the original](http://standards.ieee.org/announcements/pr_4881upgrade.html) on December 7, 2003. Retrieved 2010-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["HP and Other Test and Measurement Companies Urge IEEE to Oppose Revisions of Established IEEE 488 Standard"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110610164221/http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/imstc8/488/1/hppress12-97.html) (Press release). Hewlett-Packard Company. December 1997. Archived from [the original](http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/imstc8/488/1/hppress12-97.html) on 2011-06-10. Retrieved 2010-02-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["P488.1 Project Home"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100428090906/http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/imstc8/488/1/). IEEE. Archived from [the original](http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/imstc8/488/1/) on 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2010-02-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** *IEC/IEEE Standard for Higher Performance Protocol for the Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation - Part 1: General (Adoption of IEEE Std 488.1-2003)*. IEEE. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1109/IEEESTD.2004.95749](https://doi.org/10.1109%2FIEEESTD.2004.95749). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7381-4536-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7381-4536-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** *Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation- Part 2: Codes, Formats, Protocols and Common Commands (Adoption of (IEEE Std 488.2-1992)*. IEEE. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1109/IEEESTD.2004.95390](https://doi.org/10.1109%2FIEEESTD.2004.95390). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[11059/14380](https://hdl.handle.net/11059%2F14380). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7381-4100-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7381-4100-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Replaced or Withdrawn Publications"](http://www.iec.ch/cgi-bin/procgi.pl/www/iecwww.p?header=IEC&search=replaced&wwwprog=sea22.p). IEC. Retrieved 2010-02-06.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Posch, Maya (2025-12-16). ["After Decades, Linux Finally Gains Stable GPIB Support"](https://hackaday.com/2025/12/16/after-decades-linux-finally-gains-stable-gpib-support/). *[Hackaday](/source/Hackaday)*. Retrieved 2026-03-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NI-488.2_18-0)** ["GPIB Addressing"](http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/370428c.pdf) (PDF). *NI-488.2 User Manual*. National Instruments Corporation. February 2005. p. A-2. NI P/N 370428C-01. Retrieved 2010-02-16. The primary address is a number in the range 0 to 30.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Agilent_82350B_19-0)** ["Table 1-1: 82350 GPIB interface card configuration parameters"](http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/82350-90004.pdf) (PDF). *Agilent 82350B PCI GPIB Interface: Installation and Configuration Guide*. Agilent Technologies. 2009-07-20. p. 26. Agilent P/N 82350-90004. Retrieved 2010-02-16. any address in the range 0 - 30, inclusive, may be used

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["GPIB Instrument Control Tutorial"](http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/2761). National Instruments. 2009-08-24. Retrieved 2010-02-16. connected in either a daisy-chain or star topology

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [*NI-488.2 User Manual*](https://web.archive.org/web/20081202204121/http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/370428c.pdf) (PDF). National Instruments Corporation. February 2005. p. A-1. NI P/N 370428C-01. Archived from [the original](http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/370428c.pdf) (PDF) on 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2010-02-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Handshake Lines"](http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/370428c.pdf) (PDF). *NI-488.2 User Manual*. National Instruments Corporation. February 2005. p. A-3. NI P/N 370428C-01. Retrieved 2010-02-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Using HS488 to Improve GPIB System Performance"](http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/4552). National Instruments Corporation. 30 March 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Mechanical Aspects"](http://bitsavers.org/pdf/hp/hpib/TutorialDescrOfHPIB.pdf) (PDF). *Tutorial Description of the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus*. Hewlett-Packard. p. 28. Retrieved 2022-06-13. Some existing cables use English threads (6-32UNK).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** *IEEE Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation*, [Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers](/source/Institute_of_Electrical_and_Electronics_Engineers), 1987, p. v, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-471-62222-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-471-62222-2), ANSI/IEEE Std 488.1-1987, The "helpful note" on metric threads found in previous editions has been deleted since metric thread use is common IEEE 488 practice. Consequently, the recommendation to coat such parts in black material to call attention to metric threads is also considered unnecessary.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Tilden, Mark D. (1983), ["Appendix A: Subsets Describe Interface Functions"](http://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/www.bitsavers.org/pdf/tektronix/404x/070-4696-00_4041_GPIB_Programming_Guide_Sep1983.pdf) (PDF), *4041 GPIB Programming Guide*, Tektronix, Inc., pp. 113–115 {{[citation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Citation)}}: Cite uses generic title ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#generic_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["HP 98135A HP-IB Interface 9815"](http://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=463). *HP Computer Museum*. Retrieved 2010-02-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["59310A HP-IB Interface"](http://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=522). *HP Computer Museum*. Retrieved 2010-02-06. HP-IB interface for HP1000 and HP2000 computers

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["27113A HP-IB Interface"](http://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=786). *HP Computer Museum*. Retrieved 2010-02-06. CIO HP-IB interface for 3000 Series 900

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Bagnall, Brian (2006). *On the Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore*. Variant Press. p. 221. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9738649-0-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9738649-0-7). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [761384138](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/761384138).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Commodore drawing for VIC-1112 - Drawing no. 1110010 Rev:A

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** [Reverse-engineered schematics for Commodore C64 IEEE interface](http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/schematics/cartridges/c64/ieee-488/index.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** [http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/schematics/cartridges/c64/ieee-488/index.html](http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/schematics/cartridges/c64/ieee-488/index.html) Link to schematic for one such converter.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Early devices might respond to an ID command with an identification string; later standards had devices respond to the *ID command.

## External links

**Part 1 Specifications**

- [IEEE/IEC 60488-1-2004](https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1405845), 158 page PDF file, costs [USD$423](https://store.accuristech.com/standards/ieee-iec-60488-1-2004?product_id=1779369) in 2026

**Part 2 Specifications**

- [IEEE 488.2-1992](https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8705775), 254 page PDF file, costs [USD$56](https://www.techstreet.com/ieee/standards/ieee-488-2-1992?product_id=1888634) in 2026 *(superseded by IEEE/IEC 60488-2-2004)*

- [IEEE/IEC 60488-2-2004](https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1352831), 264 page PDF file, costs [USD$404](https://www.techstreet.com/ieee/standards/ieee-iec-60488-2-2004?product_id=1779348) in 2026

**Other**

- [GPIB / IEEE 488 multiple page tutorial](https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/test-methods/gpib-ieee-488-bus/what-is-gpib-ieee488.php)

v t e Technical and de facto standards for wired computer buses General System bus Front-side bus Back-side bus Daisy chain Control bus Address bus Bus contention Bus mastering Network on a chip Plug and play Double data rate Quad data rate List of bus bandwidths Standards SS-50 bus S-100 bus Multibus Unibus VAXBI MBus STD Bus SMBus Q-Bus Europe Card Bus ISA STEbus Zorro II Zorro III CAMAC FASTBUS LPC HP Precision Bus EISA VME VXI VXS VPX NuBus TURBOchannel MCA SBus VLB HP GSC bus InfiniBand Ethernet UPA PCI PCI Extended (PCI-X) PXI PCI Express (PCIe) AGP Compute Express Link (CXL) Direct Media Interface (DMI) RapidIO Intel QuickPath Interconnect NVLink HyperTransport Infinity Fabric Intel Ultra Path Interconnect Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface (CAPI) SpaceWire Storage ST-506 ESDI SDI IPI SMD Floppy connector Parallel ATA (PATA) Bus and Tag DSSI HIPPI Serial ATA (SATA) SCSI Parallel SAS ESCON Fibre Channel SSA SATAe PCI Express (via AHCI or NVMe logical device interface) Peripheral Apple Desktop Bus Atari SIO DCB Commodore bus HP-IL HIL MIDI RS-232 RS-422 RS-423 RS-485 Lightning DMX512-A IEEE-488 (GPIB) IEEE-1284 (parallel port) IEEE-1394 (FireWire) UNI/O 1-Wire I²C (ACCESS.bus, PMBus, SMBus) I3C SPI D²B Parallel SCSI Profibus USB Camera Link External PCIe Thunderbolt CAN bus Audio ADAT Lightpipe AES3 Intel HD Audio I2S MADI McASP S/PDIF TOSLINK Portable PC Card ExpressCard Embedded Multidrop bus CoreConnect AMBA (AXI) Wishbone SLIMbus Interfaces are listed by their speed in the (roughly) ascending order, so the interface at the end of each section should be the fastest. Category

v t e Hewlett-Packard Split into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise in 2015 Products Personal computers Desktops Blackbird 002 Brio Compaq series Evo HP Compaq Presario EliteDesk Envy Mini Omen Pavilion ProDesk Spectre Sprout Stream TouchSmart Vectra VoodooPC Z Laptops 110 2133 Mini-Note PC Compaq series Evo HP Compaq Presario EliteBook Envy Essential ProBook Omen OmniBook Pavilion dv2z dv4 dv5 dv7 dv1000 dv2000 dv6000 dv9000 tx ProBook Spectre Stream Voodoo Envy ZBook Workstations and servers 250 300 2100 2640 3000 9000 9845 64000 AlphaServer Integral PC Flexible Data Center Kayak Media Vault MediaSmart Server NetServer NonStop* Performance Optimized Datacenter X-Terminals Mobile devices Compaq series tc1000 tc1100 tc4400 tc4200 75 95LX 200LX 300LX 620LX 660LX Calculators iPAQ iPod+HP Elite x3 Jornada 560 Pre 3 Slate 7 21 Slate 500 TouchPad Veer Printing and imaging 7470 Graphics Plotter DeskJet Indigo JetDirect LaserJet 4 5 1020 2300 2400 4000 P3000 LightScribe Photosmart M407 R607 ScanJet Scitex TopShot Microprocessors Capricorn FOCUS Itanium Nanoprocessor PA-RISC 7100 7100LC 7200 8000 MAX Saturn Computer buses GSC HP-HIL HP-IB HP-IL Precision Runway Calculators HP 10s+ HP 12c HP 12c Platinum HP 15C Collector's Edition HP 17bII+ Prime Other hardware 200A Audio Oscillator 7935 Disc Drive DC100 Guardian Service Processor Integrated Lights-Out* Kittyhawk Memory Spot nPartition* ProCurve Teramac Visualize EG xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base Services ConvergedSystem Cloud CloudSystem* Helion* MagCloud † Speechbot Utility Data Center CEOs Bill Hewlett and David Packard (co-founders) John A. Young Lewis E. Platt Carly Fiorina Mark Hurd Léo Apotheker Meg Whitman (final CEO) Assets 3DA † Ericsson Hewlett Packard Telecom † HP Garage HP Labs Acquisitions 3Com 3PAR* Apollo Computer ArcSight † Aruba Networks* Autonomy † Bristol Technology Bromium Compaq Convex Computer Colorado Memory Systems EEsof † Electronic Data Systems † Exstream Software † Fortify Software † Indigo HyperX Knightsbridge Solutions Neoware Opsware † Mercury Interactive † Palm † Peregrine Systems † Plantronics RLX Technologies Scitex Vision Snapfish Stratavia Teradici TOWER Software Verifone † Vertica † VoodooPC Spin-offs Agilent Technologies DXC Technology Hewlett Packard Enterprise Keysight Technologies Related Hewlett-Packard Journal The HP Way Encompass Color Recovery SPaM PC LOAD LETTER Rules of the garage Mission: Space Spying scandal HP-Interex Asterisk (*) denotes product lines and companies now property of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Dagger (†) denotes assets or companies divested and sold off Hewlett Packard Enterprise HP Inc. Compaq HP calculators HP software

v t e IEEE standards Current 488 693 730 754 Revision 854 828 829 896 1003 1014 1016 1076 1149.1 1154 1164 1275 1278 1284 1355 1394 1451 1497 1516 1541 1547 1584 1588 1596 1603 1613 1619 1666 1667 1675 1685 1722 1733 1800 1801 1815 1849 1850 1855 1900 1901 1902 1904 1905 2030 2050 11073 12207 14764 16085 16326 29148 42010 802 series 802 .2 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 .10 .12 .14 .16 WiMAX · d · e .17 .18 .20 .21 .22 .24 802.1 D p Q Qav Qat Qay Qaz Qbb w X AB ad AE ag ah ak aq AS AX (LACP) BA 802.3 (Ethernet) -1983 a b d e i j u x y z ab ac ad ae af ah ak an aq at au av az ba bt bu by bz ca cb cc cd ce cg ch ck cm cn cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dd de df 802.11 (Wi-Fi) -1997 legacy mode a b c d e f g h i j k n (Wi-Fi 4) p r s u v w y z aa ac (Wi-Fi 5) ad (WiGig) ae af ah ai aj ak aq ax (Wi-Fi 6) ay az ba bb bc bd be (Wi-Fi 7) bf bh bi bk bn (Wi-Fi 8) 802.15 .1 (Bluetooth) .2 .3 .4 (Zigbee) .4a .4b .4c .4d .4e .4f .4g .4z .5 .6 .7 Proposed P1363 P1699 P1823 P1906.1 Superseded 754-1985 830 1219 1233 1362 1364 1471 Category

Authority control databases International GND National United States Israel

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [GPIB](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPIB) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPIB?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.