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I-V Tracer Software

Keithley I-V Tracer GIF

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Keithley I-V Tracer Software leverages the unique touchscreen interface of the 2400 Series SourceMeter® Source Measure Unit (SMU) instruments to recreate the familiar user experience of a curve tracer for two-terminal devices. Adding the I-V Tracer to your SourceMeter instrument gives you a dedicated user interface for tracing the characteristics of your devices through both current and voltage. With a range of compatible instruments, I-V Tracer can utilize the full capabilities of each source measure unit, including the dual high-speed digitizers of the 2461 to perform tracing with AC polarity and pulsed DC, in addition to standard DC polarity.

 


 

Increase efficiency in the lab  

Increase Efficiency in the Lab

Enjoy traditional curve tracer functionality while equipping individual engineers with their own I-V curve tracer, rather than pooling resources for shared, outdated equipment. Keithley SourceMeter instruments are highly portable and easily fit on benches next to laptops and digital multimeters (DMMs). While I-V Tracer is installed, you retain the full source, sink, and measure capabilities of Keithley SourceMeter instruments with the functionality of a curve tracer just a click away. The modern interface allows easy export of curves via screenshots or CSV.

 

User Interface allowing for precise sweeps

The front panel knob gives you real time control of your I-V curve, responding to the speed of your turn and dynamically adjusting as you pinch-and-zoom in and out of the graph. Increase scrutiny of curve anomalies like breakdown and turn-on behavior of diodes while accelerating through predictable sections, all in the same graph without taking your eyes off the data.

 

  User interface allowing for precise sweeps

 

Familiar capability  

Familiar Capability

A functional successor to Tektronix landmark curve tracers like the 576 and 370A, I-V Tracer with Keithley SourceMeter instruments offers the first modern alternative to those who love the direct control a curve tracer offers. Add a simple desktop solution rather than searching for overpriced repair parts or replacements for aging curve tracers.

 


Applications

Failure Analysis

Failure Analysis of semiconductor devices calls for precise control and immediate results. Sourcing too much power through a device can destroy the sensitive evidence that points to the root cause of failure. I-V Tracer gives you direct control over the output level, letting you slowly ramp up to an I-V curve anomaly then seamlessly creep into the behavior, with a minimum of 500 nV or 500 fA resolution on your sourced output.

 

Failure analysis

 

 

Education 

Education

 

Curve tracers were long considered a must-have in engineering classrooms for their simplicity in allowing students to directly apply their learning to electrical devices. I-V Tracer with Keithley SourceMeter instruments offers the same benefit, giving real-time, direct control to students allowing them to experiment themselves and solidify understanding on a wide range of electronics.

At the same time, you keep the incredible power of your SourceMeter instrument for use in lab exercises, with the capabilities of a highly sensitive ammeter, precision voltage and current source, electronic load, and more. Give students the experience they need on up-to-date equipment with modern capabilities.