Model 2651A High Power System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual
Section 3: Functions and features
2651A-901-01 Rev. A / March 2011
3-27
Timers must be used to configure the pulse width and period. Refer to
(on page 3-45) for details.
The pulse width is managed by controlling the duration between the source stimulus event and the
end pulse stimulus event. Note that a latency exists between these stimulus events and their resulting
source level transitions. This trigger latency can vary based on factors such as the source range and
the electrical characteristics of the device under test (DUT). The fast ADC mode can be used to
characterize this latency, in order to better control the shape of the pulse under a particular set of test
conditions.
The figure below shows the source and end pulse stimulus events in relationship to the pulse. Any
change in
Δ
t will result in a corresponding change in the pulse width.
Figure 40: Pulse width control
Pulse level
Bias level
t
Δ
End pulse stimulus
event detection
Source stimulus
event detection
Pulse duty cycle
Duty cycle is the percentage of time during the pulse period that the output is on. It is calculated as
follows:
Duty cycle = Pulse width / (Pulse width + Off time)
For example, if the pulse width is 10 ms and the off time is 90 ms, the duty cycle is calculated as
follows:
Duty cycle
= 10 ms / (10
ms + 90
ms)
= 10
ms / 100
ms
= 0.10
= 10 percent
See
(on page 4-4) for additional information on calculating the
maximum duty cycle for a SMU.
