Abstract: A range-changing circuit for a measurement device having a desirable range includes an array of graduated impedances. And amplifier supplies an electrical voltage to at least one of the impedances of the array. A voltage sensing and limiting switch is provided in a feedback path of the amplifier. The switch limits said electrical voltage supplied to said at least one of the impedances in response to a sensed voltage that is sensed by the switch. An electrical voltage in the desirable range is developed across a different one of the impedances of the array based on an operation of the switch.

Abstract: A circuit for alternatively controlling a current through a device and permitting measurement of a voltage across the device or controlling a voltage across the device and permitting measurement of a current through the device includes a sense impedance in series combination with the device; a buffer communicating with a common point between the sense impedance and the device; a current output stage; and a voltage output stage. When the circuit is controlling the current through the device, the voltage output stage forces the common point to a virtual ground and the current output stage forces a desired current through the device in response to a signal from the buffer. When the circuit is controlling the voltage across the device, the current output stage forces the common point to a virtual ground and the voltage output stage forces a desired voltage across the device in response to the signal from the buffer.

Abstract: A measurement system with selectable feedback paths includes a DUT interface including a first and a second DUT sensor, the first sensor being connected to a first feedback path for providing a measure of a first DUT characteristic, the second sensor being connected to a second feedback path for providing a measure of a second DUT characteristic, the sensors having a shared reference path and each feedback path including a set point adjustment; a differential amplifier system including differential inputs and differential outputs, the differential outputs being applied to the DUT interface; and a multi-pole switcher for connecting the differential inputs to either the first feedback path and the reference path or to the reference path and the second feedback path, respectfully. The first feedback path is selected to produce a desired first DUT characteristic or the second feedback path is selected to produce a second desired DUT characteristic.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an impedance/admittance meter for measurements of a DUT includes measuring a pure capacitance at a desired frequency; using the capacitance measurement to establish the phase response of the meter; measuring the admittance value of a resistor with the meter at the desired frequency, the resistor having a known DC conductance and being known to primarily exhibit parallel capacitive frequency dependency; and adjusting the gain of the meter to provide the known DC conductance as the real component of the admittance value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a measurement system includes providing a variable bandwidth DC bias loop for biasing a DUT; providing an AC measurement loop for measuring AC parameters of the DUT; disabling the AC measurement loop and selecting a high bandwidth for the DC bias loop when rapid changes to the DC bias are to be made; and selecting a low bandwidth for said DC bias loop and enabling the AC measurement loop when AC measurements of the DUT are to be made.

Abstract: A test head for testing a DUT includes a probe card having a plurality of DUT probes, the probes being in contact with the DUT during the testing; an instrument carrier, the instrument carrier being located above the DUT during the testing; and a SMU mounted on the carrier for each of the probes, each SMU being operably connectable to a respective probe, wherein the carrier is moved with respect to the probe card to permit replacement of the probe card.

Abstract: A method for verifying the adjustment of a plurality of measurement instruments includes measuring a first value of an un-verified test value of a parameter with a first measurement instrument; measuring a second value of the same un-verified test value of a parameter with a second measurement instrument; comparing the first value with the second value; and determining an adjustment verification state based on the comparison.

Abstract: A toroidal step-up or step-down transformer includes a toroidal magnetic core, a primary formed from a plurality of primary windings, and a secondary formed from a plurality of secondary windings. Parallel connected windings are added to at least one of the primary and secondary to make the number of primary windings equal to the number of secondary windings, the primary and secondary windings being arranged symmetrically around the core.

Abstract: An AC impedance measurement system is used for measuring the impedance of a DUT. A measured voltage is applied to a first DUT terminal by a first digital to analog converter, the voltage appearing at the second terminal of the DUT is monitored through an analog to digital converter and forced by a second digital to analog converter to a desired negligible value, and a digital controller determines the impedance of the DUT from the measured voltage and the current necessary to force the voltage appearing at the second terminal to the desired negligible value.

Abstract: A range-changing circuit for a measurement device having a desirable range includes an array of graduated impedances. And amplifier supplies an electrical voltage to at least one of the impedances of the array. A voltage sensing and limiting switch is provided in a feedback path of the amplifier. The switch limits said electrical voltage supplied to said at least one of the impedances in response to a sensed voltage that is sensed by the switch. An electrical voltage in the desirable range is developed across a different one of the impedances of the array based on an operation of the switch.

Abstract: A method for measuring electrical parameters of a DUT having at least three terminals includes applying a first AC voltage to a first terminal; separately driving a second and a third terminal each to a virtual second AC voltage, each virtual voltage requiring a respective current; and measuring an electrical parameter of the DUT based on the first AC voltage and the second and third terminals each being at the virtual second AC voltage.

Abstract: A switch matrix for selectively connecting at least one of N signal inputs to at least one of M signal outputs, N and M being integers greater than two, includes a cluster of N input switches arranged about each of the M signal outputs resulting in at least M clusters of N input switches, each input switch having a switch input and a switch output, the switch outputs being connected to respective signal outputs, the clusters and the input switches in the clusters being arranged to permit adjacent switch inputs of adjacent clusters to be connected to form input switch nodes; and a steering switch for each of the signal inputs. The steering switch selectably connects a signal input to an input switch node, wherein the combination of the steering switches and the input switches are operable to connect a desired signal input to a desired signal output.

Abstract: A triaxial cable having a center conductor; an outer shield conductor coaxial with the center conductor; and an inner shield conductor coaxial with the center conductor and located between the center conductor and the outer shield conductor. The inner shield conductor has a resistance adapted to control resonance on the inner shield.

Abstract: A method for making electrical measurements of a first and a second DUT, the DUTs being in sufficient proximity to exhibit crosstalk therebetween, the method comprising: applying a first signal to the first DUT; applying a second signal to the second DUT, the first signal and the second signal being contemporaneous and orthogonal to each other; measuring a first DUT response; and measuring a second DUT response. The first and second DUT responses exhibit independence from the second and first signals, respectively.

Abstract: A method for measuring electrical parameters of a DUT having at least three terminals includes applying a first AC voltage to a first terminal; separately driving a second and a third terminal each to a virtual second AC voltage, each virtual voltage requiring a respective current; and measuring an electrical parameter of the DUT based on the first AC voltage and the second and third terminals each being at the virtual second AC voltage.

Abstract: A method for making electrical measurements of a first and a second DUT, the DUTs being in sufficient proximity to exhibit crosstalk therebetween, the method comprising: applying a first signal to the first DUT; applying a second signal to the second DUT, the first signal and the second signal being contemporaneous and orthogonal to each other; measuring a first DUT response; and measuring a second DUT response. The first and second DUT responses exhibit independence from the second and first signals, respectively.

Abstract: A guarded sense impedance for use in a measurement instrument includes a sense impedance adapted to have a spatially distributed electrical potential and at least one guard structure adapted to have the spatially distributed electrical potential. The guard structure is arranged to provide a spatially distributed guard potential for the sense impedance.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting test equipment to a device under test (DUT) includes a first pair of equal-length triaxial cables, each having a desired characteristic impedance between a center conductor and an outer conductor, the outer conductor of each first cable being connected to each other at respective proximal and distal ends of the first cables, the distal end of each first cable center conductor being connected to each other, and the distal end of each of a first cable intermediate conductor being connected to each other; and a second pair of equal-length triaxial cables, each having the desired characteristic impedance between a center conductor and an outer conductor, the outer conductor of each second cable being connected to each other at respective proximal and distal ends of the second cables as well as to the respective proximal and distal ends of the outer conductors of the first cables, the distal end of each second cable center conductor being connected to each other, and the distal e

Abstract: A guarded sense impedance for use in a measurement instrument includes a sense impedance adapted to have a spatially distributed electrical potential and at least one guard structure adapted to have the spatially distributed electrical potential. The guard structure is arranged to provide a spatially distributed guard potential for the sense impedance.

Abstract: A range-changing circuit includes an array of graduated impedances in serial relationship, and a voltage sensing and limiting switch across one of said impedances. The switch limits the voltage across said one of the impedances in response to a voltage sensed by the switch.