Table of contents

:newspaper: Latest updates <br> :hammer: Buy it or build it <br> :wave: UsbGpib Introduction <br> :house: Housing / Enclosure <br> :computer: Software <br>     :electric_plug: Using the device <br>     :gear: Setting and getting parameters <br> :heavy_check_mark: Testing status <br> :notebook: Tutorials <- New! <br> :heart: Support the Project

Summarized latest updates

For detailed visibility look under the Latest update link above!

[07th Mar 2026]: USbGpib V2 back in Stock on Elecrow

[07th Mar 2026]: 10 UsbGpib V3 == GPIBee prototypes ready for testing

[04th Feb 2026]: Updated Firmware version to V2.3 - see latest updates section for more information

[04th Feb 2026]: Updated V3 Preview slightly

[04th Feb 2026]: Added Markdown versions of the tutorials

Next version update USBGpib V3

UsbGpib V3 has a Name - Introducing GPIBee

...and as you’ll see in the picture: The beauties are ready!

<img src="pictures/10GPIBees.jpg" style="width=60%" alt="image" />

After months of development, redesigns, loosing hair on fixing SW bugs and teasing the new Ethernet + PoE capabilities, the next generation of UsbGpib finally has its official identity. From this point forward, UsbGpib V3 will be known as GPIBee - a compact, fast, and delightfully capable little worker that's ready to buzz around your lab equipment.

PoE is fully operational, VXI-11 supports multiple simultaneous connections, and USB High-Speed is performing flawlessly - on MY bench. Which does not mean (yet) on everybody elses bench. Testing is by multiple people is always very important!

I now have ten GPIBee prototypes fully assembled and sitting proudly on my desk. These units will soon head out to the first wave of beta testers who’ve been following the journey and are eager to put them through real‑world use. I had hoped to start shipping next week, but with Embedded World taking up my entire schedule, distribution will begin shortly after I'm back. The excitement doesn't slow down - it just builds a little more.

Thank you all for the incredible support, feedback, and enthusiasm.

GPIBee is about to take its first flight, and you're part of the swarm that made it possible. Stay tuned - beta testing starts soon, and the prototypes look fantastic.

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Buy it or build it

• Tired of tinkering? Want to skip the hassle and get straight to using your GPIB setup?
• You’d rather spend your time using your instruments instead of assembling hardware?

Skip the soldering iron and jump straight into your GPIB workflow!

You’ve got two solid options to get a ready‑to‑run UsbGpib adapter.

🇺🇸 - United States

• If you're in the US, you can now order the UsbGpibV2 directly from several sources, including my distribution partner Binho LLC. Enjoy fast domestic shipping with no long waits, no customs paperwork, and no surprises - just quick delivery and a smooth experience: <br> 👉 <a href="https://binho.io/test-measurement/products/usbgpib-v2/" target="_blank">https://binho.io/test-measurement/products/usbgpib-v2/</a> <br> 👉 <a href="https://www.digikey.com/short/29nqq5cz" target="_blank"> https://www.digikey.com/short/29nqq5cz</a> <br> 👉 Amazon US also has it listed, but right now no stock, but worthwhile to check it out there too.

🌎 - Worldwide

• I’ve teamed up with Elecrow to bring you ready-to-roll GPIB-USB converters – perfect for those who want results, not a weekend project.
• These adapters come fully assembled, programmed, housed, tested, and ready to go. No fuss. No build. Just plug it in and start working.
• The Adapters match 100% the V2 version described in this repository.
• 👉 <a href="https://www.elecrow.com/xyphrolabs-gpibusb.html" target="_blank">https://www.elecrow.com/xyphrolabs-gpibusb.html</a>

Let the data flow begin!

This doesn’t mean I’m going fully commercial - far from it. Offering pre-built adapters is simply a convenience for those who’d rather skip the build and get straight to using their gear.

All sharing, support, and collaboration will remain fully open, just as before. This is about choice, not change!

The full design files are located in this repository in case you want to build the devices yourself.

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UsbGpib Introduction

Versatile, cheap, portable and robust USB to GPIB converter (USBTMC class based).

You'll find many projects like this, but this one is special (ok, everybody will claim this) :-)

V1 Hardware: <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/xyphro/UsbGpib/master/pictures/UsbGPIB.jpg" width="50%"/>

V2 Hardware: <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/xyphro/UsbGpib/master/pictures/Upcoming_Rev2.png" width="50%"/>

If you have a lot of test equipment at home, you might know the issues: Lots of devices only have GPIB as interface and the GPIB adapters and GPIB cables on the market are very expensive and some of them even have many issues, when run under Windows 10 (device driver does not work). Or they e.g. are not able to be operated with VISA, because they are UART based, need special command sequences, ...

<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/xyphro/UsbGpib/master/pictures/SizeComparison.jpg" width="40%" align="right"/> The adapters are also typically very long, such that they extend the overall length of your test equipment by at least 10cm (~4 inches).

Apart of the 2 very big manufacturers, other GPIB adapters, e.g. with Ethernet or also USB interface are not recognized by normal VISA providers or PyVisa, making the measurement control implementation specific for your GPIB adapter.

I've got frustrated and tried to turn it into something positive. Here a video showing the final device in action - click to view:

Some goals of the project were:

• Work based on the standard USBTMC protocol. This allows the GPIB test equipment to look like a normal USB based measurement device and work flawless with e.g. NI VISA, Labview, Matlab or PyVisa.
• Have a small length - otherwise my equipment has the risk of falling from the shelf :-) Also the USB cable should connect 90 degree angled, to make it very short. With V2 HW, the length got further reduced to the size of a GPIB connector.
• It should be cheap but still versatile (you can build a single one of these for only 14 USD!)
• It should support ALL my test equipment, from many different GPIB implementation generations and different GPIB flavors
• The Firmware should be upgradeable over USB
• It should be rock-solid (!) I don't want to end up in a very long measurement being interrupted because of a software issue of my USB GPIB converter.
• It should support additional features like serial poll, remote enabling/disabling
• If there is no GPIB device connected to the USBGpib converter, or the GPIB device is powered down, there should be no USB device visible on the PC.

All those goals are met.

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Hardware

Microcontroller choice

Although I typically would prefer nowadays an ARM Cortex M0/3/4/7 controller, there is an issue with it. Available devices support only max. 3.3V supply voltages, such that there would be a requirement for a level-shifter towards the GPIB Bus. GPIB is based on 5V (not exactly true, but a first iteration).

This limited the microcontroller choice to e.g. AVR or PIC controllers. Because of very good availability I ended up in ATMEGA32U4 controllers. Apart of the device supporting 5V I/O voltages, it also does not require a regulator to be part of the application - it has an internal 3.3V regulator. This minimizes the full application schematic and BOM.

Apart from that, there is an excellent USB stack available http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php.

The GPIB side of the schematic can be directly connected to the ATMega32U4 IO pins. The IO pins from the microcontroller side are only set to 2 different states: Tri-state (input) or output LOW, to talk over GPIB.

Component sourcing

All components are easy to source, so I only specify the potential critical ones:

• 16 MHz Crystal: Farnell 2853867 - MCSJK-7E-16.00-8-30-100-B-30
• REV 1 GPIB connector: Farnell 2421095 - NORCOMP 112-024-113R001. For REV 2 use a straight 24P male solder type connector e.g. from AliExpress.
• USB connector for V1 HW: Farnell 2668483 - Amphenol ICC 61729-1011BLF
• USB connector for V2 HW: Best is to look on AliExpress for 57 series 24P connector as a starting point.

PCB

The PCB can be ordered at nearly any PCB pool production service (e.g. 10 PCBs for 2 USD + shipping). The gerber files are included in the "HW/Gerber files" subdirectory.

Mounting the PCB & Flashing the firmware

The PCB is available in 2 revisions.

• REV 1 is the most popularly used right now due to age. It has a USB Type-B connector and an L-shaped housing visible on a few photos of this page.
• REV 2 has some improvements like being smaller, better fit and USB Type-C connector.
• A REV 3 is upcoming. It will be a major redesign with more speed, Ethernet and power over Ethernet support, but the same DNA: Standard protocols being used and ensure compatibility and stability!

Choose whatever you prefer. The software images, but also the external behavior is the same.

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Housings

REV 1

<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/xyphro/UsbGpib/master/pictures/housing.png" width="33%"/><img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/xyphro/UsbGpib/master/pictures/housing_snap.png" width="50%"/>

I created a sophisticated 3D printable housing for this adapter. The design was made with Fusion 360. The project file + the STL fil