Power modules measure with microamp accuracy

Power supplies with microampere current measurement technology have fast transient response at high currents and are capable of fast, accurate, low-level current measurements.

Agilent Technologies has added two new modules to its N6700 modular power system family that deliver quick and accurate measurements of microamp current for a device under test.

For R and D engineers designing integrated circuits and electronic devices that run on batteries, these power supplies measure current consumption and its effect on battery run time.

When used in ATE systems, they give test engineers accurate measurements of microamp currents in milliseconds, allowing them to increase ATE system throughput.

"To optimise battery run time, portable devices enter standby or sleep mode and turn off subsystems to draw less current", says Gary Whitman, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent's System Products Division.

"Engineers in R and D and manufacturing are challenged to find a power supply that can accurately and quickly measure their DUTs' sleep mode and leakage current - without inducing troublesome voltage glitches".

"Agilent's patented technology can measure microamp currents to enable better designs and faster test times of cellphones, Internet appliances, radios and other portable electronics".

Agilent's N6700 family of power supplies with microampere current measurement technology have fast transient response at high currents and are capable of fast, accurate, low-level current measurements.

These power supplies can make small current measurements faster because they do not need to wait for large internal capacitors to charge and signals to settle.

The patented design does not induce voltage disturbances (glitches), making it easier to apply and safe for the DUT.

This technology, available as option 1UA to the Agilent N6760 Precision DC Power Modules, allows microampere current measurements to be made in a few milliseconds with only 100 nA of offset error, while still meeting transient response time of less than 50 microseconds for currents of 2 amperes.

Because these Agilent power supplies can measure low currents quickly, manufacturing test system engineers do not have to wait for current measurements, increasing system throughput, which is critical to maximise the use of expensive ATE equipment.

These same power supplies can be used in R and D applications where the measurements need to accurately characterise total device power consumption and impact design decisions.

Agilent N6760 precision DC power modules are supported in the Agilent N6705A DC power analyser for R and D and in the Agilent N6700 low-profile modular power system for ATE.

These products are all part of the Agilent modular power system family.

The new microampere measurement option, called option 1UA, is priced at US $995 and is offered on the N6760 precision DC power modules.

This option is available for purchase and is shipping now.

When equipped with option 1UA, the N6761A 50V, 1.5A, 50W precision DC power module sells for US $3215 and the N6762A 50V, 3A, 100W precision DC power module sells for US $3625.

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