DC source measure unit combines programmable generation and measurement functions for current and voltage with USB interface and storage
The new GS610 DC source measure unit from Yokogawa is described as a high-accuracy, high-speed programmable voltage and current source that incorporates both generation and measurement functions as well as a USB interface and USB storage functions.
The instrument features a high power output, with a maximum output voltage and current of 110V and 3.2A, respectively, a basic accuracy of 0.02% with pulse widths down to 100us.
These performance levels, coupled with the fact that the unit can operate as a current source or a current sink, make it ideally suited to measuring and evaluating the electrical characteristics of a wide range of devices, including semiconductors, secondary batteries, in-vehicle electronic components and displays, says Yokogawa.
The GS610 is made up of a constant current source, a constant voltage source, a voltmeter, and an ammeter, each of which can be combined in different operating modes.
In addition, control and measurement using two-wire-system or four-wire-system configurations can be carried out by switching local sensing and remote sensing internally.
The instrument can be used to generate DC, pulse, DC sweep and pulse-sweep outputs, and offers a wide choice of linear, logarithmic and arbitrary sweep patterns.
Up to 65535 points of measurement data can be stored in the internal memory (Ram).
A USB interface and USB storage are fitted as standard for ease of data handling.
The generation pattern files can be created on a PC and stored in the internal memory (ROM) using a simple drag-and-drop operation.
The GS610 will then sweep the voltage or current levels specified in the generation pattern, measure the load current or voltage at the appropriate points and store the results in the internal memory (Ram), which can be detected as a USB storage device by a PC.
An ethernet interface and a web-server function are also available as options.
Generation and measurement can be synchronised in any of the operating modes, with generation initiated after a source delay with respect to an internal or external trigger.
After a measurement delay, measurement is carried out over a set integration time once the source level has stabilised.
This type of operation is suited to measurements that involve waiting for the load response after applying a pulse.
Difference measurements can be carried out using the sweep operation to make two measurements and subtracting the value of the second measurement from that of the first measurement.
If the two measurements are carried out within a short time, highly accurate measurement can be achieved with the effects of offset fluctuation cancelled.
In addition, by applying a voltage with equal magnitude but opposite in polarity, offset errors caused by thermoelectric effects in the junctions of semiconductor devices can be eliminated.
User-defined computation functions can be used to carry out linear conversion of measured values, to compute the power, to compute the next source value from the current measured value, or to perform real-time computation of source values using mathematical expressions.
Expressions can be created using a text editor on a PC and transferred to the instrument's internal memory (Rom) via the USB interface.
The GS610 can be used to generate real waveforms captured by a digital oscilloscope.
This makes it possible to simulate voltage degradation, noise and spikes without the need for field testing.
By capturing the supply voltage fluctuation waveform with a digital oscilloscope and storing the waveform data in the GS610 internal memory (ROM), the actual supply voltage fluctuation waveform can be easily reproduced.
Input and output connectors are provided for signals for the trigger input/output, sweep start input, sweep synchronisation output, control input/output and the comparator judgment result output.
In addition, multiple GS610s can be synchronised by simply connecting the trigger output of a GS610 to the trigger input of another GS610 using a BNC cable.
Typical applications for the GS610 source/measure unit include measurements of the basic electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices, evaluating supply-voltage fluctuations and noise in portable or in-vehicle devices, use as a current driver for luminous-efficiency measurements on LEDs, organic electroluminescent displays or semiconductor lasers, testing the charge/discharge characteristics of batteries, power-conversion efficiency measurements in DC-DC convertors, and pass/fail judgment tests on electronic components.
Yokogawa Test and Measurement Division, which trades in Europe under the name of Yokogawa Measurement Technologies, says it is a major worldwide force in the test and measurement market, with products that include portable test instruments, recorders and data-acquisition systems, semiconductor-related test systems, oscilloscopes, power meters, and wireless and optical communications test equipment.
Yokogawa Measurement Technologies is the new identity that has been created for the electronic test and measurement activities of Yokogawa within Europe.
Yokogawa has recently restructured its measurement business following the acquisition of Ando Electric.
The acquisition is the first stage in Yokogawa's plans to become one of the top three test and measurement suppliers in the world by 2008.
Yokogawa's global network of 18 manufacturing facilities, 82 affiliate companies, and over 650 sales and engineering offices spans 28 countries.
Since its founding in 1915, the US$4 billion company has been engaged in cutting-edge research and innovation, securing more than 7000 patents and registrations, including the world's first digital sensors for flow and pressure measurement.
Industrial automation and control, test and measurement, information systems and industry support are the core businesses of Yokogawa.
