High-power SMU simplifies LED, alt energy testing
Specifically designed for characterizing high-power electronics, the Model 2651A SourceMeter source-measure unit (SMU) provides source and measurement current ranges from 100 nA to 50 A — the widest current range available in such instruments — pulsed power of 2,000 Wdc (±40 V, ±50 A), and continuous power of 200 Wdc (±10 V@±20 A, ±20 V@±10 A, ±40 V@±5 A. Having this measurement capability is critical to designers for applications such as testing high-brightness LEDs, power semiconductors, dc/dc converters, electric vehicle batteries, alternative-energy generators, and other high-power materials, components, modules, and subassemblies.
In a single full-rack enclosure, this latest instrument in the 2600A series provides flexible four-quadrant voltage and current source/load capability, coupled with precision voltage and current meters. A choice of digitizing or integrating measurement modes permits precise characterization of both transient and steady-state behavior. Independent A/D converters — one for current and the other for voltage — define each mode and run simultaneously.
The digitizing measurement mode’s two 18-bit A/D converters can capture up to 106 readings/s for waveform capture and measuring transient characteristics with high precision. Like previous 2600-series meters, the SMU offers an integrating measurement mode, using two separate 22-bit A/D converters for precise measurement of the very low currents and voltages common in next-generation devices. It can make precise measurements of signals as low as 1 pA and 100 μV at speeds up to 1 μs/reading.
The instruments are also designed so two units can be tightly connected using the TSP-Link system, Connected in parallel, they provide a continuous combined current range to 100 A — two-and-one-half to five times greater than the nearest competing solution. In series, voltage ranges are similarly expanded, to 80 V. Embedded Test Script Processor (TSP) software lets users address multiple units so that they act as a single instrument, and the built-in trigger controller can synchronize all linked channels to within 500 ns. The embedded Test Script Builder application supports creation, editing/debugging, running, and managing TSP scripts.
TSP Express, an LXI-based I-V test software utility that is also embedded in the instrument, delivers basic to advanced tests in three simple steps: connect, configure, and collect. A LabVIEW driver is included too, and test results can be viewed on a connected computer in either graphical or tabular format, and exported to a .csv file. ($13,700 — available this month.)
By Richard Comerford
Keithley Instruments , Cleveland , OH
Information 800-688-9951
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