Keithley 2657A User manual

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Model 2657A High Power
System SourceMeter®Instrument
Reference Manual
2657A-901-01 Rev. B / December 2012
2657A-901-01
*P2657A90101*

High Power System SourceMeter®Instrument
Reference Manual
© 2008-2012, Keithley Instruments, Inc.
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
All rights reserved.
Any unauthorized reproduction, photocopy, or use of the information herein, in whole or in part,
without the prior written approval of Keithley Instruments, Inc. is strictly prohibited.
TSP®, TSP-Link®, and TSP-Net®are trademarks of Keithley Instruments, Inc. All Keithley
Instruments product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Keithley Instruments, Inc.
Other brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Document number: 2657A-901-01 Rev. B / December 2012
Model 2657A

Safety precautions
The following safety precautions should be observed before using this product and any associated instrumentation. Although
some instruments and accessories would normally be used with nonhazardous voltages, there are situations where hazardous
conditions may be present.
This product is intended for use by qualified personnel who recognize shock hazards and are familiar with the safety precautions
required to avoid possible injury. Read and follow all installation, operation, and maintenance information carefully before using
the product. Refer to the user documentation for complete product specifications.
If the product is used in a manner not specified, the protection provided by the product warranty may be impaired.
The types of product users are:
Responsible body is the individual or group responsible for the use and maintenance of equipment, for ensuring that the
equipment is operated within its specifications and operating limits, and for ensuring that operators are adequately trained.
Operators use the product for its intended function. They must be trained in electrical safety procedures and proper use of the
instrument. They must be protected from electric shock and contact with hazardous live circuits.
Maintenance personnel perform routine procedures on the product to keep it operating properly, for example, setting the line
voltage or replacing consumable materials. Maintenance procedures are described in the user documentation. The procedures
explicitly state if the operator may perform them. Otherwise, they should be performed only by service personnel.
Service personnel are trained to work on live circuits, perform safe installations, and repair products. Only properly trained
service personnel may perform installation and service procedures.
Keithley Instruments products are designed for use with electrical signals that are rated Measurement Category I and
Measurement Category II, as described in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard IEC 60664. Most
measurement, control, and data I/O signals are Measurement Category I and must not be directly connected to mains voltage or
to voltage sources with high transient overvoltages. Measurement Category II connections require protection for high transient
overvoltages often associated with local AC mains connections. Assume all measurement, control, and data I/O connections are
for connection to Category I sources unless otherwise marked or described in the user documentation.
Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present. Lethal voltage may be present on cable connector jacks or test
fixtures. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that a shock hazard exists when voltage levels greater than
30 V RMS, 42.4 V peak, or 60 VDC are present. A good safety practice is to expect that hazardous voltage is present in any
unknown circuit before measuring.
Operators of this product must be protected from electric shock at all times. The responsible body must ensure that operators
are prevented access and/or insulated from every connection point. In some cases, connections must be exposed to potential
human contact. Product operators in these circumstances must be trained to protect themselves from the risk of electric shock. If
the circuit is capable of operating at or above 1000 V, no conductive part of the circuit may be exposed.
Do not connect switching cards directly to unlimited power circuits. They are intended to be used with impedance-limited
sources. NEVER connect switching cards directly to AC mains. When connecting sources to switching cards, install protective
devices to limit fault current and voltage to the card.
Before operating an instrument, ensure that the line cord is connected to a properly-grounded power receptacle. Inspect the
connecting cables, test leads, and jumpers for possible wear, cracks, or breaks before each use.
When installing equipment where access to the main power cord is restricted, such as rack mounting, a separate main input
power disconnect device must be provided in close proximity to the equipment and within easy reach of the operator.
For maximum safety, do not touch the product, test cables, or any other instruments while power is applied to the circuit under
test. ALWAYS remove power from the entire test system and discharge any capacitors before: connecting or disconnecting
cables or jumpers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal changes, such as installing or removing jumpers.
Do not touch any object that could provide a current path to the common side of the circuit under test or power line (earth)
ground. Always make measurements with dry hands while standing on a dry, insulated surface capable of withstanding the
voltage being measured.
The instrument and accessories must be used in accordance with its specifications and operating instructions, or the safety of
the equipment may be impaired.

Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and accessories, as defined in the specifications and operating
information, and as shown on the instrument or test fixture panels, or switching card.
When fuses are used in a product, replace with the same type and rating for continued protection against fire hazard.
Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for measuring circuits, NOT as protective earth (safety ground)
connections.
If you are using a test fixture, keep the lid closed while power is applied to the device under test. Safe operation requires the use
of a lid interlock.
If a screw is present, connect it to protective earth (safety ground) using the wire recommended in the user documentation.
The symbol on an instrument means caution, risk of danger. The user should refer to the operating instructions located in
the user documentation in all cases where the symbol is marked on the instrument.
The symbol on an instrument means caution, risk of electric shock. Use standard safety precautions to avoid personal
contact with these voltages.
The symbol on an instrument shows that the surface may be hot. Avoid personal contact to prevent burns.
The symbol indicates a connection terminal to the equipment frame.
If this symbol is on a product, it indicates that mercury is present in the display lamp. Please note that the lamp must be
properly disposed of according to federal, state, and local laws.
The WARNING heading in the user documentation explains dangers that might result in personal injury or death. Always read
the associated information very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.
The CAUTION heading in the user documentation explains hazards that could damage the instrument. Such damage may
invalidate the warranty.
Instrumentation and accessories shall not be connected to humans.
Before performing any maintenance, disconnect the line cord and all test cables.
To maintain protection from electric shock and fire, replacement components in mains circuits — including the power
transformer, test leads, and input jacks — must be purchased from Keithley Instruments. Standard fuses with applicable national
safety approvals may be used if the rating and type are the same. Other components that are not safety-related may be
purchased from other suppliers as long as they are equivalent to the original component (note that selected parts should be
purchased only through Keithley Instruments to maintain accuracy and functionality of the product). If you are unsure about the
applicability of a replacement component, call a Keithley Instruments office for information.
To clean an instrument, use a damp cloth or mild, water-based cleaner. Clean the exterior of the instrument only. Do not apply
cleaner directly to the instrument or allow liquids to enter or spill on the instrument. Products that consist of a circuit board with
no case or chassis (e.g., a data acquisition board for installation into a computer) should never require cleaning if handled
according to instructions. If the board becomes contaminated and operation is affected, the board should be returned to the
factory for proper cleaning/servicing.
Safety precaution revision of November 2012.

Introduction.................................................................................................................1-1
Welcome .............................................................................................................................. 1-1
Extended warranty ............................................................................................................... 1-1
Contact information.............................................................................................................. 1-1
CD-ROM contents................................................................................................................ 1-2
Organization of manual sections.......................................................................................... 1-3
Capabilities and features ..................................................................................................... 1-4
General operation.......................................................................................................2-1
General ratings..................................................................................................................... 2-1
Controls, indicators, and connectors.................................................................................... 2-2
Front panel................................................................................................................................ 2-2
Rear panel................................................................................................................................. 2-5
Cooling vents ....................................................................................................................... 2-7
Turning your instrument on and off ...................................................................................... 2-7
Procedure.................................................................................................................................. 2-7
Placing a Model 2657A in standby ............................................................................................ 2-8
Warmup period.......................................................................................................................... 2-8
Line frequency configuration ..................................................................................................... 2-9
Fuse replacement ..................................................................................................................... 2-9
System information .............................................................................................................. 2-9
Menu overview ................................................................................................................... 2-10
Menu navigation...................................................................................................................... 2-10
Menu trees .............................................................................................................................. 2-10
Setting values.......................................................................................................................... 2-14
Beeper................................................................................................................................ 2-16
Display mode ..................................................................................................................... 2-16
Basic operation .................................................................................................................. 2-17
Operation overview ................................................................................................................. 2-17
Operation considerations for the ADC..................................................................................... 2-22
Basic source-measure procedure ........................................................................................... 2-24
Triggering in local mode.......................................................................................................... 2-28
Configuring trigger attributes in local mode............................................................................. 2-28
Configuring for measure-only tests using the MODE key........................................................ 2-29
V-meter and I-meter measurements ....................................................................................... 2-30
Ohms measurements.............................................................................................................. 2-30
Power measurements ............................................................................................................. 2-34
Contact check measurements................................................................................................. 2-37
Saved setups .......................................................................................................................... 2-38
DUT test connections......................................................................................................... 2-41
Input/output connectors........................................................................................................... 2-41
High-voltage triaxial cable termination .................................................................................... 2-44
2-wire local sensing connections............................................................................................. 2-45
4-wire remote sensing connections......................................................................................... 2-47
Contact check connections ..................................................................................................... 2-51
Table of Contents

Table of Contents Model 2657A High Power System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual
ii 2657A-901-01 Rev. B/December 2012
Multiple SMU connections....................................................................................................... 2-51
Guarding and shielding ........................................................................................................... 2-55
Test fixture .............................................................................................................................. 2-62
Floating a SMU ....................................................................................................................... 2-63
DUT connection settings.................................................................................................... 2-64
Sense mode selection............................................................................................................. 2-64
Overvoltage protection (OVP) ................................................................................................. 2-65
Output-off states...................................................................................................................... 2-66
USB storage overview........................................................................................................ 2-70
Connecting the USB flash drive .............................................................................................. 2-70
File system navigation............................................................................................................. 2-71
Displayed error and status messages................................................................................ 2-72
Range................................................................................................................................. 2-72
Available ranges...................................................................................................................... 2-72
Maximum source values and readings.................................................................................... 2-72
Measure auto delay................................................................................................................. 2-73
Ranging limitations.................................................................................................................. 2-73
Manual ranging ....................................................................................................................... 2-73
Autoranging............................................................................................................................. 2-73
Low range limits ...................................................................................................................... 2-74
Range considerations ............................................................................................................. 2-75
Range programming ............................................................................................................... 2-76
Digits .................................................................................................................................. 2-77
Setting display resolution from the front panel ........................................................................ 2-77
Setting display resolution from a remote interface .................................................................. 2-77
Speed................................................................................................................................. 2-78
Setting speed .......................................................................................................................... 2-78
Remote communication interfaces..................................................................................... 2-79
Supported remote interfaces................................................................................................... 2-80
Output queue .......................................................................................................................... 2-80
LAN communications .............................................................................................................. 2-81
GPIB operation........................................................................................................................ 2-83
General bus commands .......................................................................................................... 2-85
Front-panel GPIB operation .................................................................................................... 2-87
RS-232 interface operation ..................................................................................................... 2-88
Functions and features ..............................................................................................3-1
Relative offset ...................................................................................................................... 3-1
Front panel relative offset.......................................................................................................... 3-1
Remote relative offset programming ......................................................................................... 3-2
Filters.................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Filter types................................................................................................................................. 3-3
Response time .......................................................................................................................... 3-4
Front panel filter control ............................................................................................................ 3-4
Remote filter programming........................................................................................................ 3-5
Reading buffers.................................................................................................................... 3-6
Front-panel reading buffer control............................................................................................. 3-6
Remote reading buffer programming ...................................................................................... 3-10
Sweep operation ................................................................................................................ 3-19
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 3-19
Sweep characteristics ............................................................................................................. 3-21
Configuring and running sweeps............................................................................................. 3-28
Sweeping using factory scripts................................................................................................ 3-29

Model 2657A High Power System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual Table of Contents
2657A-901-01 Rev. B/December 2012 iii
Sweep programming examples............................................................................................... 3-30
Triggering ........................................................................................................................... 3-31
Remote triggering overview..................................................................................................... 3-31
Using the remote trigger model............................................................................................... 3-33
SMU event detectors............................................................................................................... 3-38
Using trigger events to start actions on trigger objects............................................................ 3-39
Digital I/O port and TSP-Link synchronization lines ................................................................ 3-40
Timers ..................................................................................................................................... 3-42
Event blenders ........................................................................................................................ 3-48
LAN triggering overview .......................................................................................................... 3-49
Command interface triggering ................................................................................................. 3-51
Manual triggering .................................................................................................................... 3-52
Interactive triggering................................................................................................................ 3-52
Hardware trigger modes.......................................................................................................... 3-55
Understanding synchronous triggering modes ........................................................................ 3-59
High-capacitance mode ..................................................................................................... 3-63
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 3-63
Understanding high-capacitance mode................................................................................... 3-64
Enabling high-capacitance mode ............................................................................................ 3-65
Display operations.............................................................................................................. 3-68
Display functions and attributes .............................................................................................. 3-68
Display features ...................................................................................................................... 3-69
Display messages ................................................................................................................... 3-69
Input prompting ....................................................................................................................... 3-73
Indicators................................................................................................................................. 3-75
Local lockout ........................................................................................................................... 3-76
Load test menu ....................................................................................................................... 3-76
Running a test from the front panel ......................................................................................... 3-78
Key-press codes ..................................................................................................................... 3-78
Digital I/O ........................................................................................................................... 3-80
Digital I/O port ......................................................................................................................... 3-80
Interlock .................................................................................................................................. 3-84
TSP-Link synchronization lines ............................................................................................... 3-86
Theory of operation....................................................................................................4-1
Analog-to-digital converter ................................................................................................... 4-1
Source-measure concepts ................................................................................................... 4-1
Overview ................................................................................................................................... 4-1
Compliance limit principles........................................................................................................ 4-2
Overheating protection.............................................................................................................. 4-2
Operating boundaries................................................................................................................ 4-4
Basic circuit configurations...................................................................................................... 4-18
Guard ...................................................................................................................................... 4-23
Output connection considerations........................................................................................... 4-25
Effects of load on current source settling time................................................................... 4-25
Creating pulses with the Model 2657A .............................................................................. 4-25
Pulse rise and fall times .......................................................................................................... 4-26
Pulse width.............................................................................................................................. 4-27
Introduction to TSP operation...................................................................................5-1
Introduction to TSP operation .............................................................................................. 5-1
Controlling the instrument by sending individual command messages ..................................... 5-1
Queries ..................................................................................................................................... 5-2

Table of Contents Model 2657A High Power System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual
iv 2657A-901-01 Rev. B/December 2012
Information on scripting and programming................................................................................ 5-3
About TSP commands ......................................................................................................... 5-3
Beeper control........................................................................................................................... 5-3
Bit manipulation and logic operations........................................................................................ 5-3
Data queue................................................................................................................................ 5-4
Digital I/O .................................................................................................................................. 5-5
Display ...................................................................................................................................... 5-5
Error queue ............................................................................................................................... 5-6
Event log ................................................................................................................................... 5-6
File I/O ...................................................................................................................................... 5-6
GPIB ......................................................................................................................................... 5-7
Instrument identification ............................................................................................................ 5-7
LAN and LXI.............................................................................................................................. 5-8
Miscellaneous ........................................................................................................................... 5-9
Parallel script execution ............................................................................................................ 5-9
Queries and response messages.............................................................................................. 5-9
Reading buffer......................................................................................................................... 5-10
Reset....................................................................................................................................... 5-10
RS-232.................................................................................................................................... 5-10
Saved setups .......................................................................................................................... 5-11
Scripting .................................................................................................................................. 5-11
SMU ........................................................................................................................................ 5-12
SMU calibration....................................................................................................................... 5-13
Status model ........................................................................................................................... 5-14
Time ........................................................................................................................................ 5-15
Triggering................................................................................................................................ 5-15
TSP-Link ................................................................................................................................. 5-17
TSP-Net .................................................................................................................................. 5-17
Userstrings.............................................................................................................................. 5-17
Factory scripts.................................................................................................................... 5-18
Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 5-18
Running a factory script .......................................................................................................... 5-18
Retrieving and modifying a factory script listing ...................................................................... 5-19
KISweep factory script ............................................................................................................ 5-19
KIPulse factory script .............................................................................................................. 5-20
KIHighC factory script ............................................................................................................. 5-21
KIParlib factory script .............................................................................................................. 5-21
KISavebuffer factory script ...................................................................................................... 5-21
Instrument programming...........................................................................................6-1
Fundamentals of scripting for TSP....................................................................................... 6-1
What is a script?........................................................................................................................ 6-2
Run-time and nonvolatile memory storage of scripts ................................................................ 6-2
What can be included in scripts?............................................................................................... 6-2
Commands that cannot be used in scripts ................................................................................ 6-3
Manage scripts.......................................................................................................................... 6-3
Working with scripts in nonvolatile memory............................................................................... 6-7
Programming example .............................................................................................................. 6-9
Fundamentals of programming for TSP............................................................................. 6-10
Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 6-10
What is Lua? ........................................................................................................................... 6-11
Lua basics............................................................................................................................... 6-11
Standard libraries .................................................................................................................... 6-25
Programming example: Script with a for loop.......................................................................... 6-29
Test Script Builder (TSB) ................................................................................................... 6-29
Installing the TSB software...................................................................................................... 6-29
Installing the TSB add-in ......................................................................................................... 6-30

Model 2657A High Power System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual Table of Contents
2657A-901-01 Rev. B/December 2012 v
Using Test Script Builder (TSB) .............................................................................................. 6-30
Project navigator ..................................................................................................................... 6-31
Script editor............................................................................................................................. 6-32
Outline view............................................................................................................................. 6-32
Programming interaction ......................................................................................................... 6-33
Password management ..................................................................................................... 6-33
Password overview ................................................................................................................. 6-34
Device identification indicator ............................................................................................ 6-35
Working with TSB Embedded ............................................................................................ 6-36
Sending instrument commands with TSB Embedded ............................................................. 6-37
Advanced scripting for TSP ............................................................................................... 6-38
Global variables and the script.user.scripts table .................................................................... 6-38
Create a script using the script.new() command ..................................................................... 6-39
Rename a script...................................................................................................................... 6-42
Retrieve a user script .............................................................................................................. 6-44
Delete user scripts from the instrument................................................................................... 6-46
Restore a script to the run-time environment .......................................................................... 6-47
Memory considerations for the run-time environment ............................................................. 6-47
TSP-Link system expansion interface................................................................................ 6-49
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 6-49
Connections ............................................................................................................................ 6-50
Initialization ............................................................................................................................. 6-51
Resetting the TSP-Link network.............................................................................................. 6-52
Using the expanded system.................................................................................................... 6-53
TSP advanced features........................................................................................................... 6-54
TSP-Net ............................................................................................................................. 6-61
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 6-61
TSP-Net compared to TSP-Link to communicate with TSP-enabled devices ......................... 6-61
TSP-Net capabilities................................................................................................................ 6-61
Using TSP-Net with any ethernet-enabled device................................................................... 6-62
Remote instrument errors ....................................................................................................... 6-63
TSP-Net instrument commands: General device control ........................................................ 6-63
TSP-Net instrument commands: TSP-enabled device control ................................................ 6-64
Example: Using tspnet commands.......................................................................................... 6-64
TSP command reference............................................................................................7-1
TSP command programming notes ..................................................................................... 7-1
Placeholder text ........................................................................................................................ 7-1
Syntax rules .............................................................................................................................. 7-2
Time and date values................................................................................................................ 7-3
Remote versus local state......................................................................................................... 7-3
Using the TSP command reference..................................................................................... 7-4
Command name and summary table ........................................................................................ 7-5
Command usage....................................................................................................................... 7-6
Command details ...................................................................................................................... 7-6
Example section........................................................................................................................ 7-6
Related commands and information.......................................................................................... 7-7
TSP commands.................................................................................................................... 7-8
beeper.beep()............................................................................................................................ 7-8
beeper.enable ........................................................................................................................... 7-8
bit.bitand() ................................................................................................................................. 7-9
bit.bitor().................................................................................................................................... 7-9
bit.bitxor() ................................................................................................................................ 7-10
bit.clear() ................................................................................................................................. 7-11