
2600AS-901-01 Rev. B / September 2008
Return to
19-113
Series 2600A System SourceMeter® Instruments Reference Manual
Section 19: Remote Commands
smuX.measure.autozero
X = SMU channel (a or b)
Attribute
Behavior of the SMU’s A/D internal reference measurements (autozero).
Default
smuX.AUTOZERO_AUTO
TSP-Link
accessibility
This attribute can be accessed from a remote TSP-Link node.
Usage
azmode = smuX.measure.autozero
-- Reads autozero.
smuX.measure.autozero = azmode
-- Writes autozero.
azmode
Indicates status of autozero.
Set
azmode
to be one of the following values:
0
or
smuX.AUTOZERO_OFF
Autozero disabled.
1
or
smuX.AUTOZERO_ONCE
Performs autozero once, then disables autozero.
2
or
smuX.AUTOZERO_AUTO
Automatic checking of reference and zero measurements.
An autozero is performed when needed.
Remarks
• The Series 2600A uses a ratio metric A/D conversion technique. To ensure accuracy of
readings, the instrument must periodically obtain fresh measurements of its internal ground and
voltage reference. The time interval between needing to update these reference measurements
is determined by the integration aperture being used for measurements. Separate reference and
zero measurements are used for each aperture.
• By default, the instrument automatically checks these reference measurements whenever a
signal measurement is made. If the reference measurements have expired when a signal
measurement is made, the instrument will automatically take two more A/D conversions, one for
the reference and one for the zero, before returning the result. Thus, occasionally, a
measurement takes longer than normal.
• This extra time can cause problems in sweeps and other test sequences in which measurement
timing is critical. To avoid the extra time for the reference measurements in these situations, the
smuX.measure.autozero
attribute can be used to disable the automatic reference
measurements. Keep in mind that with automatic reference measurements disabled, the
instrument may gradually drift out of specification.
• To minimize the drift, a reference and zero measurement should be made just prior to the critical
test sequence. The
smuX.AUTOZERO_ONCE
setting can be used to force a refresh of the
reference and zero measurements used for the current aperture setting.
• Autozero reference measurements for the last 10 used NPLC settings are stored in a reference
cache. If an NPLC setting is selected and an entry for it is not in the cache, the oldest (least
recently used) entry will be discarded to make room for the new entry.
Example
Perform autozero once for SMU A:
smua.measure.autozero = smua.AUTOZERO_ONCE