Programmable DC power supplies measure standby current levels

Typical applications include characterising battery-powered medical devices, wireless sensors, RFID tags, intrinsically safe devices, and consumer electronics, as well as new, low power semiconductor devices.

The supplies can output up to 192W of low noise, linear regulated DC power. The Model 2280S-32-6 can output up to 32V at up to 6A, and the Model 2280S-60-3 can output up to 60V at up to 3.2A. These power supplies address emerging trends in the design of electronic components and systems.

The supplies can make voltage and current readback measurements with  up to 6½ digits of resolution for maximum precision or as low as 3½ digits for greater speed. Voltage output measurements can be resolved down to 100µV. Load currents from 100nA to 6A can be monitored with high accuracy. Four load current measurement ranges (10A, 1A, 100mA, and 10mA) support measuring full load currents, standby mode currents, and small sleep mode changes precisely.

For monitoring fast-changing and pulse-like load currents, the supplies can capture dynamic load currents as short as 140μs to monitor load currents easily in all operating modes for determining total power consumption of the device. They also support measuring each state of a power-up load sequence and a power-down sequence. Measurements as fast as 2,500 readings per second make it possible to characterize and test the current draw at each of the start-up states. Users who need to test devices or systems with high in-rush currents can program the voltage output’s rise time to slow the voltage ramp and avoid voltage overshoot, which could potentially damage the DUT. Voltage fall time is also programmable to prevent a fast ramp down of the output voltage.

A bright, 4.3in Thin Film Transistor (TFT) screen allows displaying an exceptional amount of information. Source settings and other key information appear next to the measurement readings, reducing the chances of operator confusion and test errors. Soft-key buttons combine with a navigation wheel to provide an intuitive user interface with shallow, easy-to-navigate menus. The icon-based main menu simplifies configuring tests.The power supplies graphing function simplifies monitoring the stability of the load current, capturing and displaying a dynamic load current, or viewing a start-up or turn-off load current. These power supplies can take measurements quickly, store up to 2,500 measurement points, and compute statistics on the stored data. Statistical calculation options include average, maximum, minimum, peak-peak, and standard deviation.

The Series 2280S supplies are equally well-suited for benchtop and automated testing. The built-in List Mode function simplifies testing a design over its operating voltage range automatically or studying how the design responds to DC output changes. Up to nine lists of sequenced voltage levels can be created and saved with up to 99 distinct voltages in each list. A single trigger will automatically execute the list once or multiple times. To minimise test times in automated systems, an external trigger input allows hardware synchronization and control by other system instruments.

In addition to built-in automated features, the power supplies feature KickStart Instrument Start-up Software, which makes it easy and quick to set up automated acquisition of large amounts of data.

PIB, USB, and LXI LAN interfaces offer additional options for programming and controlling Series 2280S supplies. The LXI Core compliant LAN interface and built-in web page support remote control and monitoring, so test engineers can always access the power supply and view measurements.

A choice of front or rear panel terminals enhances connection flexibility. For maximum voltage accuracy, rear panel, four-wire remote sensing ensures that the output voltage programmed is the level actually applied to the load.