2606B System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual
Section 4: Theory of operation
2606B-901-01 Rev. B / May 2018
4-9
Load considerations for current source
The boundaries within which the 2606B operates depend on the load (device-under-test (DUT)) that
is connected to its output. The following topics show operation examples for resistive loads that are
50
Ω
and 200
Ω, respectively. For these examples, the 2606B is programmed to source 100 mA and
limit voltage (10 V). In addition, for normal current source operation and current source operation in
power compliance, the 2606B is programmed to limit power (600 mW).
Normal current source operation
In normal current source operation, the instrument is sourcing 100 mA to the 50
Ω load and
subsequently measures 5 V. As shown in the following figure, the load line for 50
Ω intersects the
100 mA current source line at 5 V. The voltage compliance limit and the power compliance limit are
not reached (the instrument is not limited through its compliance settings).
Figure 86: Normal current source operation