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From: Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: Curve Tracers
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:46:03 -0000 (UTC)
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Joe Gwinn <joegwinn@comcast.net> wrote:
> 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
> 

Nah, real men use an HP 4145B.  Exceptionally Good Medicine. 

Cheers 

Phil Hobbs 

-- 
Dr Philip C D Hobbs  Principal Consultant  ElectroOptical Innovations LLC /
Hobbs ElectroOptics  Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics