Re: Attack of the clones - Keysight 82357B edition

Jim Houston <[email protected]> Sun, 10 Aug 2025 19:31:16 -0400
Newsgroups gmane.linux.hardware.gpib.general
Message-ID <[email protected]>
Hi,

I was lucky and my 82357B mostly worked.  I did have a problem using it 
with an HP3478A
which took me down the rabbit hole of USB traces and logic analyzer 
traces to debug.
That was 2 years ago so I have forgotten everything.

I find it hard to imagine anyone going to the trouble to clone an 
82357B.  It seems
more likely that Keysight would quietly release a new revision which 
might not be
compatible with the open source driver.
I wonder if your 82357B works with the Keysight I/O libraries?  They 
have a Linux version.
I played with this when I was chasing my problem.

This youtube video titled "Inside the clone Agilent 82357B" looks 
exactly like my
82357B which I'm sure is genuine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3oedj3DCiU

While I have been happy with Linux GPIB I would also recommend this project:
https://github.com/xyphro/UsbGpib

Jim Houston

On 8/10/25 16:15, Hernán Freschi wrote:
> I got an obvious fake 82357B from ebay. It's branded Keysight but when 
> I opened it up it has a lasered 64-pin TQFP IC and a few passives and 
> that's it.
>
> I tried it with the agilent_82357a driver. gpib_config succeeds but it 
> doesn't really work. All 3 LEDs remain lit.
>
> When plugged in, the USB ID is 0957:0718 Agilent Technologies, Inc. 
> 82357B GPIB Interface. So it's not booting as 0957:0518 awaiting for 
> firmware. I believe genuine ones will always boot as bootloader and 
> then firmware will be uploaded.
>
> I thought I may be able to upload a different firmware but without any 
> SMD markings, it's impossible to tell if this is even a Cypress device 
> that can be programmed with fxload.
>
> full lsusb dump:
>
> sudo lsusb -vd 0957:0718
>
> Bus 003 Device 003: ID 0957:0718 Agilent Technologies, Inc. 82357B 
> GPIB Interface
> Device Descriptor:
>   bLength                18
>   bDescriptorType         1
>   bcdUSB               2.00
>   bDeviceClass            0
>   bDeviceSubClass         0
>   bDeviceProtocol         0
>   bMaxPacketSize0        64
>   idVendor           0x0957 Agilent Technologies, Inc.
>   idProduct          0x0718 82357B GPIB Interface
>   bcdDevice            0.00
>   iManufacturer           1 Agilent Technologies, Inc.
>   iProduct                2 82357B ()
>   iSerial                 5 MY54153256
>   bNumConfigurations      1
>   Configuration Descriptor:
>     bLength                 9
>     bDescriptorType         2
>     wTotalLength       0x0027
>     bNumInterfaces          1
>     bConfigurationValue     1
>     iConfiguration          3 HIGHSPEED
>     bmAttributes         0x80
>       (Bus Powered)
>     MaxPower              500mA
>     Interface Descriptor:
>       bLength                 9
>       bDescriptorType         4
>       bInterfaceNumber        0
>       bAlternateSetting       0
>       bNumEndpoints           3
>       bInterfaceClass         0
>       bInterfaceSubClass      0
>       bInterfaceProtocol      0
>       iInterface              0
>       Endpoint Descriptor:
>         bLength                 7
>         bDescriptorType         5
>         bEndpointAddress     0x82  EP 2 IN
>         bmAttributes            2
>           Transfer Type            Bulk
>           Synch Type               None
>           Usage Type               Data
>         wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
>         bInterval               0
>       Endpoint Descriptor:
>         bLength                 7
>         bDescriptorType         5
>         bEndpointAddress     0x06  EP 6 OUT
>         bmAttributes            2
>           Transfer Type            Bulk
>           Synch Type               None
>           Usage Type               Data
>         wMaxPacketSize     0x0200  1x 512 bytes
>         bInterval               0
>       Endpoint Descriptor:
>         bLength                 7
>         bDescriptorType         5
>         bEndpointAddress     0x88  EP 8 IN
>         bmAttributes            3
>           Transfer Type            Interrupt
>           Synch Type               None
>           Usage Type               Data
>         wMaxPacketSize     0x0008  1x 8 bytes
>         bInterval               1
> Device Qualifier (for other device speed):
>   bLength                10
>   bDescriptorType         6
>   bcdUSB               2.00
>   bDeviceClass            0
>   bDeviceSubClass         0
>   bDeviceProtocol         0
>   bMaxPacketSize0        64
>   bNumConfigurations      1
> Device Status:     0x0000
>   (Bus Powered)
>
> When trying to open the device in board mode:
>
> ibtest
> Do you wish to open a (d)evice or an interface (b)oard?
> (you probably want to open a device): d
> enter primary gpib address for device you wish to open [0-30]: usb
> trying to open pad = 0 on /dev/gpib0 ...
> ibdev: address conflict with board pad
> ibdev error
>
> ibsta = 0x100  < CMPL >
> iberr= 4
>
> ibcntl = 0
> Aborted (core dumped)
>
> When trying to write with the device unplugged from the GPIB bus:
>
> ibtest
> Do you wish to open a (d)evice or an interface (b)oard?
> (you probably want to open a device): d
> enter primary gpib address for device you wish to open [0-30]: 12
> trying to open pad = 12 on /dev/gpib0 ...
>
> : w
> enter a string to send to your device: *IDN?
> sending string: *IDN?
>
> gpib status is:
> ibsta = 0x8000  < ERR >
> iberr= 2
> ENOL 2: No listeners
>
> ibcntl = 0
>
>
> if I try with connecting it to the bus I'll get a TIMO error.
>
> Interestingly enough, when trying to open this device in board mode, 
> using Keysight-VISA I get a segfault
>
> Has anyone had any experiences with these particular clones?
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Linux-gpib-general mailing list
> [email protected]
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/linux-gpib-general



_______________________________________________
Linux-gpib-general mailing list
[email protected]
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/linux-gpib-general