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From: Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: Curve Tracers
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:50:24 -0500
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On Wed, 20 Nov 2024 07:40:08 -0800, john larkin <JL@gct.com> 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.

I think that the function is now done by a Fluke Data Bucket (or
equivalent) in an ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) that controls
collection of data, which is later plotted in a computer.

Joe Gwinn