Step 1. Hardware Configuration for IV and CV Measurement Control

The IV (Current / Voltage) and CV (Capacitance / Voltage) test applications requires a test chamber and either the Keysight B1506A Power Device Analyzer/Curve Tracer or the Keysight B1505A Power Device Analyzer/Curve Tracer with its test chamber.

For more information, refer to

  • B1506A Operation and Demonstration Guide (Keysight part number B1506-90500) for additional information.

  • B1505A Operation and Demonstration Guide (Keysight part number B1505-90500) for additional information.

If these characterization tests are to be performed over a wide range (room temperature to +250 °C), they also require the InTEST HP289-PM Thermal Platform. Refer to the InTEST documentation for detailed installation and setup information. The B1505A requires the Keysight N1265A text fixture to work with the InTEST platform.

Power Device Analyzer Specification and Operating Conditions

 

The SMU measurement and output accuracy are specified at the output terminals in the test fixture except for capacitance measurement, which is specified at the output terminals of the multi-frequency capacitance measurement unit (MFCMU) in the B1506A or B1505A.

 

Conditions for Specifications

The measurement and output accuracy are specified under the conditions listed below.

B1506A B1505A
Temperature: 23 ±5 °C. Temperature: 23 ±5 °C.
Humidity: 20 to 70%, no condensation. Humidity: 20 to 70%
Self-calibration after a 40-minute warm-up is required. Self-calibration after a 40-minute warm-up is required.
Room temperature change less than ±1 °C after self-calibration execution. (Note: does not apply to the MFCMU). Room temperature change less than ±1 °C after self-calibration execution. (Note: does not apply to the MFCMU).
Measurement made within one hour after self-calibration execution. (Note: does not apply to the MFCMU). Measurement made within one hour after self-calibration execution.(Note: This does not apply to the MFCMU).
Calibration period: 1 year. Calibration period: 1 year.
SMU integration time setting: 10 PLC (1 nA to 1 A range, voltage range), 200 μs (20 A range) Averaging of high-speed ADC: 128 samples per 1 PLC. SMU integration time setting: 1 PLC (1 nA to 1 A range, voltage range), 200 µs (20 A range) Averaging of high-speed ADC: 128 samples per 1 PLC
SMU filter: ON for MPSMU. SMU filter: ON for HPSMU and MPSMU.
The accuracy of the drain output current measurement specification is not guaranteed until 20 seconds after a voltage change. SMU measurement terminal connection: Kelvin connection (for HPSMU, MPSMU, HCSMU and MCSMU), non-Kelvin (for HVSMU)

Operating Conditions

Use the B150xA PDAs only under conditions listed below.
B1506A B1505A
Temperature: +5 to +40 °C +5 °C to +40 °C
Humidity: 20 to 70%, no condensation Humidity: 20% to 70%

When used with InTEST Thermal plate:

  • Temperature: +5 to +30 °C
  • Humidity: 20 to 70%, No condensation

When used with InTEST Thermal plate:

  • Requires the Keysight N1265A text fixture to work with the InTEST platform.
  • Temperature: +5 to +30 °C
  • 20 to 70%, No condensation

 

IV and CV General Setup

To avoid electrical shock and instrument damage, turn all instruments off before connecting cables or inserting a device to be tested.

B1506A Setup

  1. The B1506A SMU measurement resources depend on which option you purchased. Verify that the following SMUs are installed in the correct slots.

    H21 Option

    B1506A option H21 is identical with the following SMUs:

    Slot 1: B1511B MPSMU (SMU1)

    Slot 2: B1520A MFCSMU

    Slot 3: B1514A MCSMU (SMU2)

    Slot 4: B1514A MCSMU (SMU3)

    Slot 5: B1514A MCSMU (SMU4)

    Slot 6: Not Used

    Slot 7: B1513C HVSMU (SMU6)

    Slot 8: Not Used

    H51 and H71 Options

    B1506A options H51 and H71 are identical with the following SMUs:

    Slot 1: B1511B MPSMU (SMU1)

    Slot 2: B1520A MFCSMU

    Slot 3: B1514A MCSMU (SMU2)

    Slot 4: B1514A MCSMU (SMU3)

    Slot 5: B1514A MCSMU (SMU4)

    Slot 6: B1514A MCSMU (SMU5)

    Slot 7: B1513C HVSMU (SMU6)

    Slot 8: Not Used

     

    The B1506A options H51 and H71 configure the UHCU (Ultra High Current Unit) by using the test chamber to merge the currents of two MCSMUs installed in the B1506A mainframe.

  2. Connect the analyzer to its test chamber as described in the B150XA documentation. (See the graphic below.)

    1. Connect the Digital I/O cable first.
    2. Connect the N1300 CMU cable; used on the MFCMU in the B1506A Slot 2.
    3. Connect the System cable in the order of the label numbers. On the B1506A for example, start at the bottom with the GNDU cable and work your way up. The cables labeled 2S (SMU2 Sense) and 2F (SMU2 Force) connect to the Medium Current SMU2 installed in Slot 3; 3S and 3F connect to SMU3 in slot 4, etc.

  3. After completing the cable connections described above, verify the operation of the test chamber. For instructions, see:

  4. Install the InTEST hot plate in the test chamber and connect the thermal platform controller. See Thermal Platform below.

B1505A Setup

  1. Unlike the B1505A, the B1505A doesn’t have a fixed configuration. To use the B1505A with the PD1000A system requires at least following hardware options and setup:

    • For H21 (20 A) configuration:

      • N1259A test fixture with module selector option

      • B1514A MCSMU, B1511B MPSMU or B1510A HPSMU for Gate Control

      • B1513C HVSMU for high-voltage measurement on drain/collector

      • B1512A HCSMU for high-current measurement on drain/collector

      • B1511B MPSMU for low-current measurement on drain/collector

      • B1520A MFCMU for capacitance measurement

      • N1272A device capacitance selector

      • N1273A capacitance test fixture

      • Cables and adapters for the connection

    • For H51 (500 A) or H71 (1500 A) configuration:

      • MCSMU o1265A Ultra High Current Expander/Fixture

      • B1514A MCSMU* or B1514A MCSMU for gate

        • MCSMU or HCSMU for Icon (I control) of N1265A

        • MCSMU or HCSMU for Vcon (V control) of N1265A

      • B1513C HVSMU for high-voltage measurement on drain/collector

      • B1511B MPSMU for low-current measurement on drain/collector

      • B1520A MFCMU for capacitance measurement

      • N1272A device capacitance selector

      • N1273A capacitance test fixture

      • Cables and adapters for the connection

  2. Connect the analyzer to its test chamber and make cable connections as described in the B150XA documentation:

  3. After completing the cable connections described above, verify the operation of the test chamber. For instructions, see:

  4. Install the InTEST hot plate in the test chamber and connect the thermal platform controller. See Thermal Platform below.

Thermal Platform

The B1506A's test chamber can be equipped with a thermal platform ("hot plate") from InTEST (model HP289-PM) for controlling DUT temperature. The thermal platform consists of a temperature controller and a thermal plate installed inside the B1506A test chamber. The controller connects to thermal plate by a pass-through connection harness that is part of the test chamber. The plate sits on the silicone plate to minimize cable length and risk of oscillation.

Refer to the B1506A User Guide and the documentation supplied with the HP289-PM for detailed thermal plate installation.

  1. Connect the host controller PC, the B1506A Analyzer and the E5810B Gateway to the LAN switch.

  2. If you are using the InTEST thermal platform in the B1506A, use a GPIB cable to connect the Keysight E5810B LAN/GPIB/USB Gateway (part of PD1000A option -GTW) to the thermal platform controller. Option PD1000A Option GTW is required when using the InTEST thermal platform.

  3. Power on the B1506A, the E5810B Gateway, and the InTEST controller.

  4. Make certain the Host PC can communicate with each test instrument. You can use Keysight IO Libraries Suite Connection Expert to verify communication or troubleshoot communication problems.

Configure System Software

Before you use the system for the first time, you must do a one-time set up of B1506A Environment variables on your PC and configure the EasyEXPERT software for the either the B1505A or the B1506A.

PC Configuration

B1506A Environment  Variables

If your system includes the B1506A power analyzer, you must install environment variables on your PC before running the IV and CV characterization tests. (You need to do this only once.) Refer to the PD1000A Startup Guide for detailed instructions on installing the files.

B150xA Configuration (EasyEXPERT Setup)

Set up the EasyEXPERT software on the B150xA power device analyzer. See PD1000AStartup Guide for detailed instructions.

TIP: write down or save a screen capture of the Configuration dialog in EasyEXPERT so that you can use the information to Configure Test Settings.

Next Step:

Step 2. IV and CV Configure Tests and Test Settings