Keithley KPCI-488LPA IEEE-488.2 Interface Board for the PCI Bus

Key Features At A Glance

• IEEE-488.2 compatible interfaces enabling fast data transfer at up to 1.5 MByte/s
• Two form factors: KPCI-488LPA low-profile PCI plug-in card and KUSB-488B USB-to-GPIB adapter with built-in 2 m cable
• KPCI-488LPA PCI interface supports both 3.3V and 5V PCI environments for desktop and industrial PC compatibility
• Controls up to 14 GPIB instruments or devices over distances up to 20 meters
• Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000 drivers included; LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI support
• Driver library command-compatible with National Instruments and Capital Equipment Corporation command functions
• Compatible with any standard GPIB instrument; KUSB-488B is USB 2.0 compliant and requires no external power

The Keithley KPCI-488LPA and KUSB-488B are IEEE-488 (GPIB) interface solutions that add standard IEEE-488.2 bus control to a PC system. The KPCI-488LPA is a low-profile, 32-bit/33 MHz PCI bus compatible plug-in card whose PCI interface supports both 3.3V and 5V environments, making it suitable for most desktop computers and industrial PCs, including low-profile desktop systems. The KUSB-488B is a USB-to-GPIB interface that turns any computer with a USB port into a fully functional GPIB controller, featuring a compact form factor and a built-in 2-meter USB cable.

These interfaces are intended for use with automated test equipment in laboratory and industrial applications. They can control as many as 14 GPIB instruments or other devices over a distance of up to 20 meters. The KUSB-488B's small form factor makes it suitable for use with laptop computers in portable applications or for applications where the computer has no available PCI plug-in board slots. Both products are compatible with any standard GPIB instrument and with Keithley's GPIB-capable instruments.

ValueTronics International stocks, tests, and ships GPIB interface adapters and related test and measurement accessories from a 20,000 sq ft secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive, Elgin, Illinois. Each {{CONDITION}} unit is handled in-house by our team — not drop-shipped from a third party — which lets us verify configuration, confirm included items, and answer specific application questions before the product leaves our facility.

Brand Heritage

Keithley Instruments was founded in 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio. The company was acquired by Danaher Corporation in 2010 and, following Danaher's 2016 spin-off of its industrial businesses, became part of Fortive Corporation alongside Tektronix. Keithley-branded instruments and accessories continue to be produced under that lineage, which is why some current literature carries Tektronix Company branding.

Compare Other Models in This Series

The Keithley GPIB interface family covers the two most common PC-to-instrument connection paths: an internal PCI plug-in card (KPCI-488LPA) and an external USB-to-GPIB adapter (KUSB-488B). Both deliver IEEE-488.2 control of standard GPIB instruments, both support 1.5 MByte/s transfer rates, and both ship with the same Windows driver stack and Application Development Environment support.

The choice between the two is primarily a question of host PC architecture and portability. The KPCI-488LPA installs inside a desktop or industrial PC and supports both 3.3V and 5V PCI environments. The KUSB-488B connects through a standard USB 2.0 port with a built-in 2-meter cable, requires no external power, and is well-suited to laptops or systems without an available PCI slot.

Each new model below is its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing and availability. Selection between the PCI card and the USB adapter is driven by the host computer and the deployment environment, not by performance differences in IEEE-488.2 throughput.

The KPCI-488LPA is a 32-bit/33 MHz PCI bus card with dimensions of 4.7 × 2.5 in (120 × 64.5 mm) and a current draw of 400 mA typical / 750 mA maximum at 5 VDC. It supports both 3.3V and 5V PCI environments. The KUSB-488B is a USB 2.0 compliant external adapter measuring 3.2 × 2.6 × 1.1 in (81.7 × 66.1 × 27.8 mm), drawing 500 mA from the USB port with no external power required, and includes a built-in 2 m USB cable.

Both adapters share the same 1.5 MByte/s transfer speed, the same EMC compliance to European Directive 2004/108/EEC, and the same 0° to 55°C operating temperature range with 10% to 90% RH non-condensing. The comparison table below summarizes form factor, power, and environmental specifications side by side.

Model	Bus/Form Factor	Dimensions	Power (Current @ 5VDC)
KPCI-488LPA	PCI	4.7 x 2.5 in (120 x 64.5 mm)	400 mA typ., 750 mA max.
KUSB-488B	USB	3.2 x 2.6 x 1.1 in (81.7 x 66.1 x 27.8 mm)	500 mA

Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.

Product Core & Specifications

Specification	KPCI-488LPA	KUSB-488B
Bus/Form Factor	PCI	USB
Dimensions	4.7 × 2.5 in (120 × 64.5 mm)	3.2 × 2.6 × 1.1 in (81.7 × 66.1 × 27.8 mm)
Power (Current @ 5VDC)	400 mA typ., 750 mA max.	500 mA
Transfer Speed	1.5 Mbyte/s	1.5 Mbyte/s
EMC	European Directive 2004/108/EEC	European Directive 2004/108/EEC
Environmental (Operating)	0° to 55°C, 10% to 90% RH non-condensing	0° to 55°C, 10% to 90% RH non-condensing
Environmental (Storage)	−20° to 80°C, 5% to 90% RH non-condensing	−20° to 80°C, 5% to 95% RH non-condensing

Important: Model 7010 adapter is required for the Model 428-PROG when used with the KUSB-488B.Important: The Model 7010 adapter is required for the Model 428-PROG when used with the KUSB-488B.Important: These GPIB interface solutions can control as many as 14 GPIB instruments or other devices over a distance of up to 20 meters.Recommended pairing: use the KUSB-488B with laptop computers or systems without an available PCI slot; use the KPCI-488LPA in desktop and industrial PCs where an internal low-profile PCI card is preferred.

Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.