Main Specifications

• 120W unipolar ground referenced DC source• Linear final regulation with sense lines• 9 current ranges: versatile use from a few nA to 4A• 2 voltage ranges: 30V and 120V• Good accuracy on setting and read-back (0,05% of

range typ.)• Excellent regulation on all kinds of passive and active

loads (esp. high output capacitive drive)• Low noise, typ. 3mVp-p• Programmable very fast protection against overvoltage

and short-circuit• Available coupling option for automatic regulation of

transistors at constant power• BE524, BE525 and BE526 replacement

Applications

• Reliability tests for sensitive components• Accurate power supply for measurements bench• Transistors tests at constant current and DC

characterization (coupling available between sources)

Standard capabilities• Large software capabilities: programmable thresholds

on voltage and current, trace memory with envelope waveform, synchronous group of instruments with programmable start and stop delay...

• Easy-to-use SCPI commands with NI LabView, Agilent Vee...

• Large system connectivity : GPIB, USB, Ethernet ...• Ready-to-use with EasyStress software for burnin and

life-test settings• High reliability and safety : no transient during On/Off

phase, no line perturbation, safe stop on mains default...

• 2 year warranty as standard

BE517C VL305, revision 5, 2011-11-09, P1/7

Collector Force

Collector Sense

Gnd Force

Gnd Sense

Base

GndMaster Module :Collector

Slave Module :Base

HardwareCoupling module

Vce and Ic constant thanks to automatic Ib control

B

C

E

Operating area Application example

I

V

120V -0.1A

+120V 1A

30V 4A

3V -4A

P>-12W

III

III IV

P<120W

P>-120W

Yellow area: DC, Dashed line area: transient

Operating areaParameters Conditions/Comments Min. Typ. Max.

Voltage setting range % of the range, normal operation around 0V 0% 100%

Current setting range Programmed in absolute value, % of the range 2% 100%

Overvoltage threshold setting range

Overvoltage or Undervoltage thresholds, % of the voltage range ±5% ±105%

Remote sense operating range Max. voltage drop in the power or ground cable when sense connected -2V +2V

Voltage output headroom Max module output voltage above voltage range for sense compensation 1V

Sourced output power 120W

Sink output power 12W

Transient sink output power During less than 500ms, module shutdown if longer 120W

Operating temperature Ambiant temperature in front of Bilt's rear fan openings 15°C 30°C

Ranges and AccuracyRange switching by relay in standby mode with automatic range selection capability.Accuracy specified on a 18°C-28°C module temperature range, 30min warm-up.

Voltage :Parameter Resolution 2 year Accuracy(1)(3) Ripple & Noise

Range Setting & Readback 0,1Hz-10Hz 10Hz-10khz(2) 10Hz-20MHz(2)

+120V 31mV 0.2% (240mV) 8mVp-p 7,5mVp-p 10,2mVp-p

+30V 7,9mV 0.2% (60mV) 2mVp-p 2,9mVp-p 5,4mVp-p

(1) in % of the range, typical accuracy 0,05%(2) 1µF output decoupling capacitor, 6.8Ω load, worst peak-to-peak value(3) Additional voltage offset error if sense lines not used: <2mV.

Current :Parameter Resolution 2 year Accuracy(1) Load capacitance

Range Setting & Readback Recommended(2) Max (3)

± 4A 1mA 0.2% (8mA) 100µF - 1mF Iset/150 Uset or 10mF

± 1A 263µA 0.2% (2mA) 100µF - 1mF Iset/150 Uset or 10mF

± 150mA 40µA 0.2% (0,3mA) 10µF - 56µF Iset/150 Uset or 1mF

± 30mA 7,9µA 0.2% (60µA) 1µF – 10µF Iset/150 Uset or 100µF

± 5mA 1,3µA 0.2% (10µA) --- Iset/150 Uset or 100µF

± 1mA 263nA 0.2% (2µA) --- Iset/150 Uset or 50µF

± 150µA 40nA 0.2% (0,3µA) --- Iset/150 Uset or 10µF

± 30µA 7,9nA 0.2% (60nA) --- Iset/150 Uset or 2.2µF

± 5µA 1,3nA 0.2% (10nA) --- Iset/150 Uset or 2.2µF

(1) in % of the range, typical accuracy 0,05%(2) for best noise and transient response results, low esr ceramic and/or electrolytic type.(3) The minimum of both values. Iset and Uset are the user programmed current (in A) and voltage setting (in V). The resulting capacitance is in mF. This limit guarantees that the source will switch off within the specified fall time. Exceeding this value can damage the module. The second value guarantees regulation stability.

BE517C VL305, revision 5, 2011-11-09, P2/7

Regulation/measurementsParameters Conditions/Comments Min. Typ. Max.

Voltage transient response time (1) From 0µF to max recommended output decoupling capacitor 400µs

Voltage to current transient response time (2)

Proportional to the current range amplitude. Value of the current range “CR” in Ampere, result in ms. No output decoupling capacitor

1,2 x CR

Short-circuit response time Time for the source to limit short-circuit current to 150% of the range 5µs

Line regulation No line regulation error, guaranteed by design 0%

Load regulation Sense lines connected, 0 to max. source current, guaranteed by design 0%

Measurements sampling frequency Envelope trace capability at this rate 1 ks/s

Measurements bandwidth 1,6kHz

(1) response time to a 10% to 90% load step, time to stabilize to within 50mV of setting (20V range), 10mV (5V range)(2) time to stabilize from a constant voltage (CV) regulation to a constant current (CC) regulation after a load step

Module start/stopParameters Conditions/Comments Min. Typ. Max.

Settling time (1) source switching on or off, or any setting change. Settling at 95% of the step.First order step response time waveform for voltage setting change <30V (the time constant is typically 9ms). For higher step amplitude, the rise timeis slew rated, leading to a longer settling time.

30ms 90ms

Start delay 25ms 250ms

Stop delay 0ms 50ms

Threshold delay Time after which the measurement thresholds are monitored 0ms 60s

Off output impedance Source off, max current 1A, impedance of the relay contact 50mΩ

(1) no output transient perturbation during output rise/cut-off and mains Starting/ Stopping, several possibilities for programmable sequences

Start-Stop sequence overview:

BE517C VL305, revision 5, 2011-11-09, P3/7

START-GROUP STOP-GROUP

Threshold Delay

Start Delay

Settling Time

Stop Delay

Settling Time

Safety features• User programmable overvoltage thresholds: the module output is tied to ground within a few µs then shut down if

the overvoltage or undervoltage threshold is exceeded. Same resolution and accuracy as measurements, monitored upon module start command

• User programmable measurement thresholds: the module is shut down or sends a warning if a threshold is exceeded. Typical response time: 2 times the sampling period. Current or voltage threshold, monitored after a programmable delay

• Over temperature protection: internally sensed temperature overload shuts the source down

• Short-circuit management circuitry limits the current to about 150% of the current range within specified short-circuit response time. The current regulation then limits the current to the user programmed current setting withina few hundreds of µs. There is typically no voltage overshoot after a short-circuit release thanks to a dedicated slew rate control circuitry

Primary power requirementsParameters Conditions/Comments Min. Typ. Max.

Primary power needed for biasing Module switched off, minimum consumption on ±25V rail 4W

Primary power needed for starting Transient power needed to switch on the module, on +25V power rail

30W

Primary power needed at full load 30V 4A sourced, on +25V power rail 150W

Connection2 types of output available:• 2 laboratory jacks Ø4mm providing power output (red) and power ground (black)

• 1 standard Bilt (type A) SUBD9 connector. Pinout is compatible for crimped connectors and twisted pair ribbon cables

• Sense signals are available for remote voltage measurement and regulation. Guard signal is available for highimpedance tri-axial wiring

• Synchro signal allows to install a remote «voltage presence» LED (with no resistor, 10mA max) and behaves asan «emergency stop » button, shutting down the module if tied to ground

STANDARD CONNECTION Type 9-A

Pin Name Function

1 Synchro Board ON : 5V, Board OFF : 0V.

2 Out Sense Remote Voltage Measurement

3 Output Power Output

4 Output Power Output

5 Guard Guard Ring

6 GND Sense Ground Remote Input

7 GND Power Ground

8 GND Power Ground

9 GND Power Ground

BE517C VL305, revision 5, 2011-11-09, P4/7

9 pin D-SUBFemale Sockets

GND

OUT

2 x 4mm BananasSockets

54321

9876

SCPI specific commandsCommand Comments Default

*idn? Complete identification for the BE517 mother board and BX516 daughter board: Revision, date, serial number, software revision, calibration …

--

VOLTage [val][?]CURRent [val][?]

Voltage and current setting. Use of m,µ,n coefficient allowed , Ex : volt 541 m. = volt 541E-3 = volt 0,541When module is off and autorange active (volt/curr:rang:auto →? on), the range closer to the setting value is automatically set. Polarity is imposed by the voltage set up sign.

0V (SV)20µA (SV)

VOLTage:RANGe [val][,RangNo][?]CURRent:RANGe [val][,RangNo][?]

Range programming, using either :volt:rang 20 ( as the value 20V is the actual range )volt:rang 12 ( any voltage value within the 20V range will be accepted )volt:rang ,2 ( as 2 is the range number inside the list of available ranges ) Query returns [range full scale value],[range n°]. Ex : curr:rang →? 6.25e-06,1Caution: Current ranges are always positive.

,1 (SV),4 (SV)

VOLTage:RANG:AUTO [on/off][?]CURRent:RANG:AUTO [on/off][?]

Auto-range system selection. When "On", the system will automatically choose the closest range during entry of the VOLT/CURR setting. NB : The range can only be changed when the module is off

ON (SV)

VOLTage:RANG:LIST [?]CURRent:RANG:LIST [?]

Returns the ranges list ( full scale values from lowest to highest). Ex : →curr:range:list? 5e-06,3e-05,0.00015,0.001,0.005,0.03,0.15,1,6

--

VOLTage:PROTection [on/off][?] Enabling / Disabling under/overvoltage protection. The command is prohibited if the module is on.

ON (SV)

VOLTage:PROT: UPP [val/max][?]VOLTage:PROT: LOW [val/min][?]

Set the overvoltage (UPP) and undervoltage (LOW) thresholds, using either :volt:prot:upp: 31,5 ( 31,5V is the 105% maximum value when using the 30V range )volt:prot:upp: max (allowed as a smart short cut : fixed to 105% of the used range)volt:prot:upp: 15 ( also any value within 5% to 105% of the voltage range )volt:prot:low: 1,5 (1,5V is the 5% minimum value when using the 30V range )volt:prot:low: min ( allowed as a smart short cut : fixed to 5% of the used range)

MIN (SV)MAX (SV)

MEASure:VOLTage ? Reading of the voltage measurement --

MEASure:CURRent ? Reading of the current measurement --

MMX:VOLTage ? Reading of the voltage envelope. Returns min and max values of the output voltage since the last request. --

MMX:CURRent ? Reading of the current envelope. Returns min and max values of the output current since the last request. --

OUTPut [on/off][?] Enabling / Disabling output OFF

STARt:DELay [val][?]STOP:DELay [val][?]

Start / Stop delay in ms for the between-sources sequences when synchronised start are requested (groups). See the “Module start/stop” section of this document for the range of theses parameters.

100 / 0 (SV)

FUNC[cv/cc][?] this setting is only intended for threshold control ; it indicates which parameter is to be used for monitoring the thresholds (LIM:UPP and LIM:LOW ):func:cv ( current threshold monitoring as constant voltage regulation occurs )func:cc ( voltage threshold monitoring as constant current regulation occurs )note: the actual regulating mode is determined by the load impedance with respect to the voltage and the current regulation setting values.(volt val / curr val)

CV (SV)

LIMit[:STATe][on/off][?] Enabling / Disabling of the software thresholds monitoring . OFF (SV)

LIMit:UPPer [val][?]LIMit:LOWer [val][?]

High/low threshold programming (voltage or current according to FUNC). Any values are accepted, without any warning message if out of range.It's then possible to disable one threshold monitoring using any inaccessible out of range value :limit:upp 100m;low –1000;state on ( set only UPP threshold to 100mA )

0 (SV)

LIMit:DELay [val][?] Setting of delay before applying thresholds. (0-60000 ms) . This delay start at OUTP ON or P:STATE ON received.It is independent of the start:delay .

150 (SV)

LIMit:CLEar Thresholds reset --

LIMit:FAIL? Reading of alarm return :0,« NO »: No alarm1,"LOW" : LOWer software threshold occurred.2,"HIGH" : UPPer software threshold occurred.3,"POW" : maximum sink power occurred.4,"STOP” : Stop by user (“synchro” pin on SUBD9 output connector)5,"OVER" :Over-voltage or under-voltage thresholds occurred.6,"TEMP" : internal over-temperature threshold occurred.

--

CPL [val][?] Useful when the module is connected as Master with the coupling jumper board BE592 ( intended for transistor test using constant power regulation...).reading/setting of the coupling mode : (NC,OFF,FETP,PNP,FETN,NPN).NC = no coupling board installed

NC /OFF (SV)

Notes: Defaut: Value after *rst command or new module installation. SV: Parameter in nonvolatile memory.

BE517C VL305, revision 5, 2011-11-09, P5/7

EasyStress Usage

BE517C VL305, revision 5, 2011-11-09, P6/7

Revision History

Rev Date Changes

1 2007-08-20 First release, BE517B

... ...

4 2008-03-12 Updated specifications

5 2011-11-09 New data-sheet format, BE517C

Related product

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BE547(546 rempl.)

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Metrology and maintenance

Initial calibration principleFor each kind of module, iTest develops a test and calibration programs. They use external references which are regularly checked by authorized companies.Our products are delivered after going through a test cycle: preliminary calibration, Burn-In, initial calibration.For each module, an individual report of the initial calibration is delivered onto a CD-ROM.Regular calibrationThe recommended periodicity is 2 years for standard modules (13 to 16 bit), and 1 year for high accuracy modules (18 to 21 bit).iTest offers to perform the regular calibration, either on site or while returning the hardware back to our workshop.Some customers have to proceed regularly to their own accuracy check. In case the modules have drifted out of their specification limits, they have to be sent back to iTest.Guarantee and maintenanceAll the Bilt products come with a two-year parts and labor guarantee, when returned to our workshops. A telephone support service is also available for the same period.At the end of the initial two-year period, a further contract can be subscribed, including a new calibration and a further two-year guarantee.In any case, iTest will supply on request maintenance and calibration.

119 rue de la providence31500 TOULOUSE - FRANCE

Tel + (33) 5 61 54 81 30 Fax + (33) 5 61 54 81 39

www.itest.frSpecifications are subject to change without notice.Bilt trademark is the property of iTest SARL, france.

Trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective companies.

BE517C VL305, revision 5, 2011-11-09, P7/7