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Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:48:27 -0500
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Subject: Re: Curve Tracers
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On 11/20/2024 10:40 AM, john larkin wrote:
> On Wed, 20 Nov 2024 11:32:32 -0000 (UTC), Cursitor Doom
> <cd999666@notformail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Gentlemen,
>>
>> Curve tracers reveal useful info about the dynamic characteristics of
>> semiconductors and make designing for same much more predictable and
>> dependable than relying on spice models and simulation alone. But they're
>> typically rare beasts and expensive to come by and boat anchor varieties
>> are seriously heavy and bulky.
>> I think therefore that a curve tracer would make an excellent project,
>> using the X&Y inputs of a scope as the display. Has anyone here attempted
>> this? I'd be interested to know what the main challenges are likely to be.
>>
>> -CD
> 
> I've considered it. It would be much more valuable if it traced
> capacitances too.
> 
> The display should be on a computer and the data archived.
> 
> I often just set up a breadboard and test parts. Last week I blew out
> some power mosfet gates. Some have internal zeners; this one doesn't.
> 
> Most mosfets drain avalanche, but the voltage is never specified, in
> fact deliberately hidden. I have to measure that.  A good curve tracer
> should measure that too.
> 
> Currents should go down to picoamps.
> 
> The fact that there aren't many curve tracers for sale suggests a
> small market.
> 
> 
> 

Meanwhile, in China:

<https://www.amazon.com/Transistor-Tracer-Feature-Graphic-Instrument/dp/B0D25RDFDV>

Someone seems to still banging out 1970s-style CTs