HP-IL: Difference between revisions
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The '''HP-IL''' (''[[Hewlett-Packard]] Interface Loop'') was a short-range network enabling several devices such as printers, floppy disk drives, tape readers, etc. to be connected to programmable calculators such as the [[HP-41C]] or [[HP-71B]], [[HP-75|HP-75C/D]], [[HP series 80|80-series]] and [[HP-110]] computers as well as generic [[ISA bus]] based [[Personal Computer|PC]]s. |
The '''HP-IL''' (''[[Hewlett-Packard]] Interface Loop'') was a short-range network enabling several devices such as printers, floppy disk drives, tape readers, etc. to be connected to programmable calculators such as the [[HP-41C]] or [[HP-71B]], [[HP-75|HP-75C/D]], [[HP series 80|80-series]] and [[HP-110]] computers as well as generic [[ISA bus]] based [[Personal Computer|PC]]s. |
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Revision as of 00:35, 25 October 2006
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The HP-IL (Hewlett-Packard Interface Loop) was a short-range network enabling several devices such as printers, floppy disk drives, tape readers, etc. to be connected to programmable calculators such as the HP-41C or HP-71B, HP-75C/D, 80-series and HP-110 computers as well as generic ISA bus based PCs.
Principles
The HP-IL can be seen as a precursor to the Universal Serial Bus now largely in use on desktop computers. However, as its name implies, the cable formed a loop: the cable originated in the HP-IL extension module, ran through all connected devices, then came back to the module.
On the bus, devices could act as controllers (the calculators/computers) or slaves (the peripherals). Certain controllers like the HP-71 module or the HP82973A ISA interface could be acting as slaves as well, enabling a small network of calculators to be set up.
The IL used a form of Token passing protocol for media access control.
Applications
Hewlett-Packard developed a range of devices to be connected to the HP-IL, mostly peripherals such as printers and storage devices for calculators. Through the 82169A HP-IL/HPIB Interface, HP-IL controllers could be connected to instruments with an IEEE-488 (aka GPIB or IEEE-488) interface, or vice versa. There were also plans to make test equipment with IL interfaces, but apart from the somewhat popular 3468A multimeter, only a few devices were introduced before HP-IL itself became obsolete.
In addition to the HP-IB interface, HP also sold RS-232 and general-purpose parallel I/O interfaces as well as a prototype kit to create custom interfaces.
Equipment
Controllers
- HP 82160A HP-IL Module for the HP-41C
- HP 82973A HP-IL interface for IBM PC and compatibles with ISA bus
- HP 82938A Series 80 Interface
- HP 82401A HP-IL module for HP-71B
- HP-75C/D
- HP-110
- HP-150
Interfaces
- HP 82164A HP-IL/RS-232C Interface (serial port)
- HP 82165A HP-IL/GPIO Interface (generic parallel port)
- HP 82166A HP-IL Converter (smaller version of GPIO interface intended for embedded use)
- HP 82166C HP-IL Converter Prototyping Kit
- HP 82169A HP-IL/HPIB Interface (bidirectional)
Peripherals
- HP 9114B Disc Drive
- HP 82161A Tape Drive
- HP 82162A Thermal Printer (HP-IL version of HP 82143A printer for HP-41C)
- HP 82163A Video Interface
- HP 92198 Mountain Computer 80-Column Video Interface
- HP 82168A Acoustic Coupler (Modem)
- HP 82905B Printer
- HP 2225B ThinkJet Printer
- HP 7470A Graphics Plotter
- HP 2671A/G Alphanumeric Graphics Thermal Printer
Test instruments
- HP 1630 and HP1631 Logic analyzers (can be loop controller)
- HP 3421A Data Acquisition/Control Unit
- HP 3468A Digital Multimeter (HP-IL version of HP 3478A with GPIB)
- HP 5384A and HP 5385A frequency counter with option 003 (HP-IL)
Software
- HP-IL Development Module (plug-in Application ROM module for HP-41C)
- HP 82183A Extended I/O Module
Third-party
- FSI164A HP-IL/RS-232C Interface
References
- Gerry Kane, Steve Harper, David Ushijima: THE HP-IL SYSTEM: An Introductory Guide to the Hewlett-Packard Interface Loop. ISBN 0-931988-77-2
- HP Journal, January 1983 (Several articles about HP-IL and related products)
- HP 82160A HP-IL Module Owner's Manual for the HP-41
- HP 82401A HP-IL Interface Owner's Manual for the HP-71