Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A)
recently introduced enhancements to the B1505A
Power Device Analyzer/Curve Tracer that significantly increase
its voltage and current range to cover all devices in today's fast-growing
power-device market.
These enhancements make the B1505A the
industry's first power-device evaluation solution to accurately and efficiently
measure a device's characteristics from sub-pA up to 10 kV/1500 A, with a fast
pulse down to 10 microseconds.
Agilent also introduced the B1505AP, a
preconfigured version of the B1505A that includes all modules, cables and
accessories necessary to ensure a quick startup.
Both the enhanced B1505A and new
B1505AP are well suited for power-device researchers and manufacturers
performing power-device characterization and failure analysis. Power-device
users in equipment/automotive companies can also use these solutions for incoming
device inspections and failure analysis.
"Finding a measurement instrument
capable of accurately and deeply characterizing modern power devices, with
their increasing voltage and current ranges, is a critical need for today's
power-device researchers and manufacturers," said Masaki Yamamoto, general
manager of Agilent's Hachioji Semiconductor Test Division. "With recent
enhancements, the B1505A provides a viable solution to this dilemma. Thanks to
its ability to cover the entire operating region of today's power devices, the
B1505A eliminates many of the shortcomings of traditional curve tracers and
production testers. It is setting a new standard for power-device
testing."
Enhancements to the B1505A include the
following.
Capabilities for improving the quality
and performance of design and research: These include a wide I/V range with
precision (up to 1500 A/10 kV), a medium current measurement with high voltage
bias (500 mA at 1200 V, for example), a µΩ-class resistance measurement
capability, and a sub-pA level current measurement, all of which are traceable
to international standards. High peak powers (22.5 kW for high current and 900
W for high voltage) ensure complete characterization of most power
semiconductor devices.
Extensive device evaluation
capabilities: These include high-power pulsed measurement down to 10 µs, a
temperature measurement capability and a GaN current collapse effect
measurement. Both help speed the research and development cycle.
Improved efficiency: This stems from a
new standard test fixture (N1265A) for safe packaged-device testing, secure
on-wafer testing over 200 A or up to 10 kV, and an oscilloscope view that
enables real-time verification of I/V waveforms on multiple device terminals.
The oscilloscope view takes advantage of two independent analog-to-digital
converters equipped in each measurement channel to accurately visualize fast
pulse waveforms with pulse widths as small as 10 µs. It can be used to quickly
and efficiently monitor timing-critical measurement conditions and device
behavior.
An upgradeable and scalable hardware
architecture: A wide selection of measurement modules and support devices with
up to 6 pins allow the B1505A to meet users test needs today and in the future.
The significantly enhanced Agilent B1505A
is based on the Microsoft Windows® 7 operating system and has a variety of
selectable measurement modules that includes a high-current SMU (20A/20V),
high-voltage SMU (8 mA/3000 V), medium-power SMU (1 A/200 V), multi-frequency
capacitance measurement unit, ultra-high current unit (1500 A/60 V), ultra-high
voltage unit (20 mA/10 kV), and high-voltage medium current unit (2.5 A/1500 V
and 1.1 A/2200 V).
Superior capabilities already available
in the B1505A can be used for the enhanced modules. For instance, fully
automated multiple parameter measurement and analysis can easily be performed
with the new modules without having to first create a program. With its
scalable architecture, next-generation curve tracer, and automated
test-and-analysis capabilities, the B1505A provides unparalleled performance
and ease of use for power-device characterization.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is
the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical
analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 18,700
employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues
of $6.6 billion in fiscal 2011. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.