Keysight Technologies Introduces Advanced Curve Tracer Packages for Electronics Equipment Manufacturers

  
  

Package Capabilities Exceed Those of Traditional Curve Tracers at a Comparable Price

Highlights:

  • Fast, fully automated IV measurement up to 3 kV/1500 A and thermal test from
    -50 to +250 degrees C
  • Automatic device datasheet creation
  • Upgradable to include gate charge and automated device capacitance measurements

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Oct. 20, 2015

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) today introduced three advanced curve tracer packages for its B1506A Power Device Analyzer. Designed to provide power device and power electronics equipment manufacturers with a low-cost curve tracer equivalent solution, the packages deliver capabilities that exceed those available with traditional curve tracers at a comparable price.

Power devices are widely employed in the growing energy and automotive markets. During their manufacture, quick and accurate failure analysis and quality assurance testing is absolutely essential. Typically these tests are performed using a curve tracer, but the process is very manual and time consuming, requiring engineers to physically switch instrument connections to make the different types of IV measurements required.

With its new 3 kV/20-, 500- and 1500-Amp IV only curve tracer packages, the B1506A now serves as an advanced and low-cost replacement to traditional curve tracers. Its ability to automatically switch between different types of IV measurements, without having to make any connection changes, means that overall measurement time is dramatically reduced. And, because the B1506A has factory-supported thermal test solutions, evaluation engineers don't have to create their own custom thermal test set-ups. In fact, the B1506A is the only commercially available solution that supports full thermal test from -50 to +250 degrees C and can characterize all key IV parameters for packaged and on-wafer devices.

"When it comes to evaluating power devices, traditional curve tracers typically fall short in terms of accuracy and their inability to automatically measure multiple device parameters and perform standardized thermal tests," said Masaki Yamamoto, general manager of Keysight's Hachioji Semiconductor Test Division. "With their advanced functionality and entry-level price point, our new curve tracer packages provide power device and power electronics equipment manufacturers with a solution that overcomes the shortcomings of traditional curve tracers.

To ensure it is future proof, Keysight's new B1506A IV only curve tracer packages can be upgraded to include gate charge (Qg) and automated device capacitance (Ciss, Coss, Crss) measurements. Existing customers can also upgrade the 20- and 500-Amp packages to a higher current level.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

Keysight's new 20-, 500- and 1500-Amp IV only curve tracer packages — Opt H20, H50 and H70, respectively — for the B1506A power device analyzer are available now. The starting price for the 20-Amp package (Opt H20) is $60,000 (U.S. dollars). For pricing of the other two packages (Opt H50 and H70), contact a local sales representative. A trade-in program will be available in December to help current Tektronix curve tracer users easily migrate to an advanced curve tracer package.

More information about the B1506A's new curve tracer packages is available at www.keysight.com/find/b1506a. Images of the new power device analyzer packages are available at www.keysight.com/find/B1506A_CurveTracer_images.
About Keysight Technologies

Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS) is a global electronic measurement technology and market leader helping to transform its customers’ measurement experience through innovations in wireless, modular, and software solutions. Keysight’s electronic measurement instruments, systems, software and services are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronic equipment. The business had revenues of $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2014. Information about Keysight is available at www.keysight.com.

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Contact:

Janet Smith, Americas
+1 970 679 5397
janet_smith@keysight.com
Twitter: @KeysightJSmith

Sarah Calnan, Europe
+44 (118) 927 5101
sarah_calnan@keysight.com

Connie Wong, Asia
+852 3197-7818
connie-ky_wong@keysight.com