Operation and Testing
– Apply a swept voltage to the device under test (DUT)
– Measure the current at each voltage
– Display I-V data on an oscilloscope or record it for later processing
– Configurable maximum voltage and polarity
– Series resistance can be inserted
– Convenient connection arrangements for two- or three-terminal devices
– Simultaneous connection of two DUTs for matching device parameters
– I-V curves used for DC source-measure testing
– Calculation of resistance and derivation of other parameters based on I-V measurements
– Study anomalies, locate maximum or minimum curve slopes, perform reliability analyses
Kelvin Sensing and Capacitive Balance Control
– Curve tracers come with semiconductor device test fixture adapters
– Adapters equipped with Kelvin sensing
– Some analog curve tracers have manual control for balancing a capacitive Bridge circuit
– Balancing compensates stray capacitances of the test setup
– Adjustment performed by tracing the curve of the empty test setup
– Balance control adjusted until the I curve is displayed at a constant zero level
I-V Curve Tracing
– Method for analyzing the performance of a Photovoltaic system
– Tests all possible operating points of a PV module or string of modules
History and Types of Curve Tracing
– Vacuum tube curve tracers used before the introduction of semiconductors
– Early semiconductor curve tracers used vacuum tube circuits
– Modern curve tracers are solid state and automated
– Three core types of curve tracing: I-V, C-V, and ultra-fast transient or pulsed I-V
– Modular design allows configuration to match specific applications
References and External Links
– The pypsucurvetrace curve tracer
– Curve Tracing Solutions
– RTI
– Curve Tracer Measurements – Microwave Encyclopedia – Microwaves101.com
– Archived from the original on 2005-12-17
– I-V Curve Tracing Exercises for the PV Training Lab (PDF)
– Solmetric
– Keithley Instruments, Inc. The Challenge of Integrating Three Critical Semiconductor Measurement Types into a Single Instrument Chassis
– Semiconductor Characterization Software offers parametric testing
– The Museum of Tektronix Scopes
– All manufacturers of curve tracers
– A homebrew Curve Tracer
– Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Curve_tracer&oldid=1165596909
– Categories: Electronic test equipment, Laboratory equipment, Electronics work tools, Articles needing additional references from May 2011, All articles needing additional references Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curve_tracer
This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2011) |
A curve tracer is a specialised piece of electronic test equipment used to analyze the characteristics of discrete electronic components, such as diodes, transistors, thyristors, and vacuum tubes. The device contains voltage and current sources that can be used to stimulate the device under test (DUT).
