Model 4200A-SCS Source-Measure Unit (SMU) User's Manual
Section 5: Source-measure concepts
4200A-SMU-900-01 Rev. A December 2020
5-15
I-Source operating boundaries
Limit lines are boundaries that represent the operating limits of the SMU for a certain quadrant of
operation. The operating point can be anywhere inside (or on) these limit lines. The limit line
boundaries for the other quadrants are similar.
The following two figures show the operating boundaries for the I-Source. Only the first quadrant of
operation is covered; operation in the other three quadrants is similar.
As shown in the following figure, the 4200-SMU or 4201-SMU can output up to 105 mA at 21 V, or
10.5 mA at 210 V. The 4210-SMU or 4211-SMU can output up to 1.05 A at 21 V, or 105 mA at 210 V.
Figure 85: SMU current source output characteristics
The following figure shows the limit lines for the I-source. The current source limit line represents the
maximum source value possible for the selected current source range. For example, the current
source limit line is at 105 mA on the 100 mA current source range. The voltage compliance limit line
represents the actual compliance that is in effect.
Figure 86: SMU current source limit lines
