Rohde & Schwarz, Farnell discusses the innovative power of the SMU

The podcast series investigates how test and measurement equipment supports innovation and new product development across a wide variety of real-world applications. Each episode in the series will provide valuable insights for buyers, engineers, and other industry professionals wanting to stay up to date with the latest trends, challenges, products, tools and applications.

The latest episode provides an introduction to Source Measurement Units (SMUs) and how this critical piece of equipment can be used to provide fast, precise, high-resolution and safe DC characterisation of electronic components. Philipp Weigell, director of Product Management for Power Products, Meters, Sources and Audio Analysers at Rohde & Schwarz joins podcast host Cliff Ortmeyer to share insights on the innovative technology within SMUs. They discuss how the technology enables accurate measurement of even the smallest leakage currents to be found in diodes and the applications which present the biggest challenges. 

James McGregor, global head of Test & Tools at Farnell, said: “SMUs are fast becoming an essential piece of equipment on the engineer’s test bench. Designed for challenging applications requiring semiconductor and wireless communications testing, these innovative tools integrate several different test functions into a single piece of kit allowing the user to collect lots of data over time. SMUs automate data collection which is faster than manual reporting and yields more accurate measurements. Our fifth podcast episode features Rohde & Schwarz, one of the world’s leaders in electronic test and measurement equipment for emerging technologies, including SMUs. The discussion explores the increasing use of SMUs to ensure the fast, safe and accurate characterisation of electronic components and assesses whether these products are the future of testing.”

With new episodes released every few weeks, The Innovation Experts podcast covers how test and measurement equipment enables innovation at small start-ups right through to large blue-chip organisations. All previous podcast episodes are available now on Farnell’s new Technical Resources Hub including: 

• Episode 1: Test equipment drives hybrid working and remote learning – The debut episode of the series focuses on how Pico Technology’s PC-based oscilloscopes and RF testing products have enabled hybrid working and new ways of remote learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Mike Purday, Business Development Manager from Pico Technology, discusses the capabilities and impact of using low-cost PC-based scopes through to high-performance products for a range of innovative – and unexpected – applications, from tattoo removal to monitoring the temperature of penguin eggs.

• Episode 2: Fast-tracking innovation: Emerging trends and techniques – As Tektronix and Keithley celebrate their 75th anniversary, the second episode of The Innovation Experts podcast provides a brief historical perspective about how both companies have helped drive innovation in some of the world’s leading industries. Brad Odhner, technical marketing manager for Tektronix and Keithley talks about how test and measurement equipment isaccelerating innovation by helping engineers overcome present and future challenges.

• Episode 3: The design of innovative tools and equipment for battery design and testing – This episode explores cutting-edge battery technology and explains how it is used to measure the efficiency of electric cars and other critical applications. Kai Scharrmann, engineer and business development manager at Hioki talks about the trends and challenges to be found in battery technology and testing.

• Episode 4: A buyer’s guide to test and measurement equipment – Keysight Technology provides a buyer’s guide for test and measurement equipment focusing on what functions and features really matter when purchasing test equipment today. Mike Hoffman, product manager for Keysight Technology’s mid-level range of oscilloscopes, offers practical tips to help buyers differentiate between low-cost and high-end instruments.

Farnell offers a full range of market-leading test, tools and production supplies from stock to support electronic design and test, with no minimum order value and an educational discount programme. Customers have free access to online resources, data sheets, applications notes, videos and webinars with excellent customer and technical support available 24/5 in local language.

The Innovation Experts podcast is freely available from major podcast providers including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Episode five of the podcast series, featuring Rohde & Schwarz, is available now on Farnell’s new Technical Resources Hub.