Keithley Introduces High Voltage System SourceMeter

By DE Editors

Keithley Instruments has introduced the Model 2657A High Power System SourceMeter instrument. The Model 2657A adds high voltage to the companys Series 2600A System SourceMeter family of high speed, precision source measurement units.

A built-in 3,000V, 180W source allows the device to source up to five times as much power to a device under test as the nearest competitive system, at significantly lower cost. The precision, high speed 6-1/2-digit measurement engine built into the Model 2657A enables 1fA (femtoamp) current measurement resolution to support the low-leakage requirements of next-generation power semiconductor devices.

The instrument is optimized for high voltage applications such as testing power semiconductor devices, including diodes, FETs, and IGBTs, as well as characterizing newer materials such as gallium nitride (GaN), silicon carbide (SiC), and other compound semiconductor materials and devices. It is also useful for characterizing high speed transients and performing breakdown and leakage tests on a variety of electronic devices at up to 3,000V.

The device provides a choice of digitizing or integrating measurement modes for characterizing both transient and steady-state behavior, including rapidly changing thermal effects. Each mode is defined by two independent analog-to-digital (A/D) converters "one for current and the other for voltage "that run simultaneously to ensure accurate source readback without sacrificing test throughput. The digitizing measurement modes 18-bit A/D converters support one-microsecond-per-point sampling, so users can capture voltage and current transients simultaneously. The integrating measurement mode, based on 22-bit A/D converters and common to all Series 2600A instruments, optimizes the Model 2657As operation for applications that demand the highest measurement accuracy and resolution.

For more information, visit Keithley Instruments.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.