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06 | Keysight | Low Current Semiconductor Measurements

 

Using the B2980A Series Ammeter - Technical Overview

4. Histogram View enables real-time data distribution analysis 

(continued)

This example shows how you can use line frequency averaging and data iltering in 

conjunction with the Histogram View to improve data quality

Note: The sample histogram shown in Figure 4(a), which has a bimodal distribution with peaks at both 
ends, is typical of the situation where sinusoidal power line voltage is the main noise source. Figure 4(b) 
illustrates that the line frequency noise components can be iltered out using power line cycle integra

-

tion and data averaging.

Low Current Measurement Example

Measurement steps on B2985A/87A front panel operation

This section gives step-by-step instructions on how to use the B2980A’s Femto/Picoam-

meter to perform low current (I/V) characterization using an LED as the test device. The 
B2985A Electrometer/High Resistance Meter is used in the example because it has a 
built-in voltage source so that no additional external instruments are required to apply 

voltage to the LED. 
 

Note: To make the same measurements using the B2981A/B2983A Femto/
Picoammeter requires some modiications to the software key sequences and 
steps shown in this example (although the ammeter setup is identical). 
Of course, when using the B2981A/B2983A you need to supply an external 
voltage source to measure the I/V characteristics.

You can download the test setup of the following examples from the 
next link; www.keysight.com/ind/SensitiveMeasurements

Example 1. Monitoring LED Forward diode current

Figure 5 shows the proper connections to measure the I/V charac-
teristics of an LED. Note that it is important to connect the ammeter 
common to the chassis ground using the banana to lug cable as 

shown in the igure.

Note: If the ammeter common and the test ixture shield are connected, 

then this ground connection is not necessary.

(a) 0.1 PLC speed measurement. 

(b) Normal speed measurement using the data averaging. 

 

Measurement condition:

- Speed: 0.1 PLC
- Filtering: None

Measurement condition:

- Speed: Normal
- Filtering:  Moving average (100 points)

9.5X improvement
in noise distribution

Figure 4. Using histogram view and other functions to improve measurement data.

A

A

+

+

Vs

Vs High

Ammeter

Common

LED

Test Fixture (N1295A)

J1

B2980A Series

Triax cable

Connect with the 
Banana to lug cable

Chassis ground

Vs Low

N1254A-101
adapter

Coax

cable

adapter

Figure 5. LED I/V measurement setup example.

Summary of Contents for B2981A

Page 1: ...ght Technologies Low Current Semiconductor Measurements Using the B2980A Series Ammeter Keysight B2981A B2983A Femto Picoammeter Keysight B2985A B2987A Electrometer High Resistance Meter Technical Ove...

Page 2: ...lexibility 3 The ability to improve data quality through averaging iltering and zero cancelation 4 Integrated capability to analyze measurement data via histograms time domain graphs etc The Keysight...

Page 3: ...rovide stable measurements and a lexible coniguration for low current measurement applications Floating DUT coniguration Figure 1 shows a circuit block diagram using the loating ammeter with a DC volt...

Page 4: ...ovides the following beneits The ability to synchronize the voltage source output with the measurement timing The ability to display the voltage and current relationship in an X Y graph on the instrum...

Page 5: ...at its source or to ilter out the noise from the data Of course if the noise is symmetrically distributed then you can simply use the average of the histogram Figure 4 shows an example of this proced...

Page 6: ...using the B2981A B2983A Femto Picoammeter requires some modiications to the software key sequences and steps shown in this example although the ammeter setup is identical Of course when using the B29...

Page 7: ...then follow the steps shown below to set the output voltage to zero volts Step 3 1 Press the Voltage Source On Off key to enable the voltage source to output 0 V Note If using the B2981A 83A then set...

Page 8: ...nge the voltage to approximately 1 0 V Step 6 1 Continue rotating the Knob and increasing the voltage until the current is between 10 to 20 mA Note If using the B2981A 83A then increase the external v...

Page 9: ...the B2981A 83A and the voltage applied by the external voltage source on a PC to make this same type of I V plot The following steps outline how to plot the I V characteristics of an LED Step 1 1 Pre...

Page 10: ...s the Show Trigger assist key The trigger sub panel is now displayed If the Trigger mode is set to MANUAL as shown in step 5 then perform the following steps 5 Using the Knob place the cursor over the...

Page 11: ...ance and stable picoammeter that can measure down to 100 aA with 10 aA effective resolution The B2980A Series employs a loating ammeter design which provides considerable freedom to use the ammeter in...

Page 12: ...rs www keysight com find channelpartners Get the best of both worlds Keysight s measurement expertise and product breadth combined with channel partner convenience www keysight com find precisionMEASU...

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