New Power Devices Push the Limits of Test Equipment

Power semiconductors have become a hot market. Semiconductor manufacturers are developing a whole new generation of power devices that boost the efficiency of energy generation, transmission, and consumption. These new devices have created some interesting test challenges. Because they operate at higher voltages than silicon devices, the test equipment must source higher test voltages. At the same time, these devices have lower leakage currents, so the test equipment must be more sensitive to low currents. In response, test equipment manufacturers are introducing source measurement units (SMUs) with wider dynamic ranges.
Author(s):  Stauffer, Lee
Issue:  KIPiS 2013 #5
Read PDF:  Read