The Keithley 2400 200V/1A/20W SourceMeter SMU Instrument is designed specifically for test applications that demand tightly coupled sourcing and measurement. The 2400 provides precision voltage and current sourcing as well as measurement capabilities; it is both a highly stable DC power source and a true instrument-grade 6 1/2-digit multimeter. The power source characteristics include low noise, precision, and readback. The multimeter capabilities include high repeatability and low noise. The result is a compact, single-channel, DC parametric tester. In operation, this instrument can act as a voltage source, a current source, a voltage meter, a current meter, and an ohmmeter. Manufacturers of components and modules for the communications, semiconductor, computer, automotive, and medical industries will find the 2400 invaluable for a wide range of characterization and production test applications.

Advantages of a Tightly Integrated Instrument

By linking source and measurement circuitry in a single unit, the 2400 offers a variety of advantages over systems configured with separate source and measurement instruments. For example, it minimizes the time required for test station development, setup, and maintenance, while lowering the overall cost of system ownership. It simplifies the test process itself by eliminating many of the complex synchronization and connection issues associated with using multiple instruments. And its compact half-rack size conserves precious "real estate" in the test rack or bench.

Power of Five Instruments in One (IV Source, IVR Measure)

The tightly coupled nature of a SourceMeter SMU instrument provides many advantages over solutions configured from separate instruments, such as a precision power supply and a digital multimeter. For example, it provides faster test times by reducing GPIB traffic and simplifies the remote programming interface. It also protects the device under test from damage due to accidental overloads, thermal runaway, etc. Both the current and voltage source are programmable with readback to help maximize device measurement integrity. If the readback reaches a programmed compliance limit, then the source is clamped at the limit, providing fault protection.

I-V Characteristics

All SourceMeter SMU instruments provide four-quadrant operation. In the first and third quadrants they operate as a source, delivering power to a load. In the second and fourth quadrants they operate as a sync, dissipating power internally. Voltage, current, and resistance can be measured during source or sync operation.

Automation for Speed

A SourceMeter SMU instrument streamlines production testing. It sources voltage or current while making measurements without needing to change connections. It is designed for reliable operation in non-stop production environments. To provide the throughput demanded by production applications, the SourceMeter SMU instrument offers many built-in features that allow it to run complex test sequences without computer control or GPIB communications slowing things down.

Standard and Custom Sweeps

Sweep solutions greatly accelerate testing with automation hooks. Three basic sweep waveforms are provided that can be programmed for single event or continuous operation. They are ideal for I/V, I/R, V/I, and V/R characterization.

- Linear Staircase Sweep: Moves from the start level to the stop level in equal linear steps

- Logarithmic Staircase Sweep: Done on a log scale with a specified number of steps per decade

- Custom Sweep: Allows construction of special sweeps by specifying the number of measurement points and the source level at each point

- Up to 1700 readings/second at 4 1/2 digits to the GPIB bus

- 5000 readings can be stored in the nonvolatile buffer memory

Built-In Test Sequencer (Source Memory List)

- The Source Memory list provides faster and easier testing by allowing you to setup and execute up to 100 different tests that run without PC intervention.

- Stores up to 100 instrument configurations, each containing source settings, measurement settings, pass/fail criteria, etc.

- Pass/fail limit test as fast as 500μs per point

- Onboard comparator eliminates the delay caused when sending data to the computer for analysis

- Built-in, user definable math functions to calculate derived parameters

Digital I/O Interface

The digital I/O interface can link a SourceMeter SMU instrument to many popular component handlers. Other capabilities of the interface include:

- Tight systems integration for applications such as binning and sorting

- Built-in component handler interface

- Start of test and end of test signals

- 5V, 300mA power supply

Trigger Link Interface

All SourceMeter SMU instruments include Keithley's unique Trigger Link interface which provides high-speed, seamless communications with many of Keithley's other instruments.

Unique 6-Wire Ohms Technique

SourceMeter SMU instruments can make standard 4-wire, split Kelvin, and 6-wire, guarded ohms measurements and can be configured for either the constant current or constant voltage method. The 6-wire ohms technique:

- Uses guard and guard sense leads in addition to the 4-wire sense and source leads

- Locks out parallel current paths when measuring resistor networks or hybrid circuits to isolate the component under test

- Allows users to configure and plot data easily from the 2400, making characterization of two, three, and four terminal devices a snap