HP-54650A HP-IB interface module: what's inside?

The HP54650A is an HP-IB (aka GPIB) interface module for the 54600 series of Hewlett-Packard oscilloscope, which was the first lower-cost digital scope family for HP. There's not a ton to say about these modules but since I found a couple of tear-down pictures lying around I thought I'd share them.

Inside the HP-54650a, top side
Inside the HP-54650a, top side

Inside the HP-54650a, bottom side
Inside the HP-54650a, bottom side

This probably a case of "nothing to see here, move along" but hey now that it's open let's see what goodies are around:

  • An AMD micro-controller with UV-erasable PROM, marked 54650-80008
  • A TMS-9914, the GPIB bus adapter
  • A few logic chips and...
  • A non-volatile SRAM (Dallas DS1230Y-120). Two waveforms can be stored in it, and it is also likely used to store the HPIB address. Thanks to Engelbert Schuhmann for reminding me of this.
  • 10, yes only 10 passives! All decoupling caps.

For the record and in case anyone puts these numbers into google, here's some other references: 54650-88502 for the PCB and 1820-8608 for what is likely a PLD chip (custom jobbie).

That's all folks...