[Linux-gpib-general] Which Agilent GPIB PCI card to buy?

[Alexander H. <ale...@xx...>]

Hi

I would like to build a small box based on a Soekris 5501 to be able to 
interface various pieces of old test equipment via GPIB.

In case that matters, the test equipment I have with GPIB interfaces 
are:
* HP 54200A (Oscilloscope)
* HP 66311B (Power supply)
* HP  3478A (Multimeter)
* Rohde & Schwarz CMD53 (Digital Radiocommunication Tester)

I am considering to buy either:
* HP 82350A Rev. B
* HP 82350B Rev. A

My question is whether there are any real-world differences between 
these cards from user perspective.
Looking at pictures of the boards, the implementations seems to be 
significantly different. Having no practical experience with linux-gpib 
yet, I cannot say whether those differences have any effect to the user.

* HP 82350A Rev. B -> Xilinx XC5202 + PLX PCI9050
* HP 82350B Rev. A -> Xilinx XC2S100, no PLX

My guess would be 'no difference', though I thought I'd ask before I 
buy.

Second question:
Can these boards act as non-controllers on the bus? I wasn't able to 
find a good explanation of the technical situation in English, only in 
German[1] (my mother tongue).
Long story short: Some GPIB adapters for general purpose computers can 
react to ATN messages on the bus quickly enough to be able to act as 
non-controllers, some aren't. The time budget is pretty tight for that, 
200ns, too quickly for interrupt-based implementations.

I believe the ATN responses are the reason one would want to use a PCI 
board instead of a 82357A/B.
Whether that ATN thing is significantly relevant in another can of 
worms, though we don't have to open that can of worms right now.

-Alex

[1] https://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/GPIB-RS232-Schnittstelle