Pulsed High Current Device Characterization Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional device characterization methods face limitations at high currents due to instrument power constraints, resistive losses, inductive voltage drops, and device power dissipation, making it difficult to accurately characterize devices beyond certain current thresholds.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves placing a local energy storage device near the device under test, optimizing circuit connections to minimize series resistance and inductance, and using a pulse generator to deliver high currents through a tight loop, allowing for fast data acquisition and characterization beyond conventional limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If DC voltages are applied over shorter time frames to limit power dissipation, then device power dissipation is reduced, but measurement instrument power limitations are encountered at high currents
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is pre-charged to the desired voltage level before the measurement is taken. This preliminary energy storage allows the capacitor to discharge and deliver high current pulses to the DUT without requiring the measurement instrument to sustain high power continuously, thus avoiding instrument power limitations while controlling power dissipation through pulsed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system uses periodic pulsed operation where the capacitor is charged during off-periods and discharged during measurement periods. This periodic charging and discharging enables high current characterization while keeping average power dissipation within safe limits and avoiding continuous high power demands on the measurement instrument
2Measurement precision
If high currents are delivered through cabled systems, then current measurement capability is improved, but resistive losses and inductive voltage drops increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage capacitor is extracted from the remote measurement instrument and placed locally at the DUT location. This local placement eliminates the need for long cabled connections to deliver high current, thereby removing the source of resistive losses and inductive voltage drops while maintaining accurate current measurement capability through the local capacitor discharge
3Measurement precision
If conventional DC sourcing instruments are used, then device characterization is performed, but device characterization at high currents beyond certain thresholds becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is pre-charged to high voltage levels before the measurement pulse, enabling the system to deliver current levels beyond the continuous rating of conventional DC sourcing instruments. This preliminary energy storage extends the adaptability of the measurement system to high current ranges while maintaining characterization accuracy through the pulsed measurement approach
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables characterization of devices at higher drain-source voltages and currents, such as up to 1300 Amperes, by efficiently managing energy delivery and minimizing measurement instrument limitations, thereby providing more comprehensive IV curve data.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor, C, is placed in parallel with the device under test
Implementation Method 2
a sensor, such as a resistor, R, for determining a current in the device under test
Data Source
AI summary
A test and measurement circuit including a capacitor in parallel with a device under test, a direct current voltage source configured to charge the capacitor, a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse for testing the device under test, and a sensor for determining a current in the device under test.