The Keysight B1506A Power Device Analyzer characterizes power semiconductor devices and modules across voltage and current extremes. Operating up to 3 kV and 1500 A, this curve tracer enables engineers to evaluate on-resistance, breakdown voltage, leakage current, threshold voltage, and saturation voltage under diverse thermal conditions. The instrument combines DC I/V measurement, pulsed I/V analysis with pulse widths down to 10 µs, capacitance testing from 1 kHz to 5 MHz, gate charge measurement, and automated thermal characterization from −50 °C to +250 °C.
Technical Specifications
• Voltage/Current Range: Up to 3 kV / 1500 A
• Thermal Test Range: −50 °C to +250 °C
• Current Measurement Resolution: 10 fA
• Voltage Measurement Resolution: 0.2 µV
• CV Frequency Range: 1 kHz to 5 MHz (High Voltage CV to 3 kV)
• Pulsed I/V Pulse Width: Down to 10 µs minimum
• Measurement Accuracy Conditions: 23 ±5 °C, 20–70% humidity, no condensation
– Key Features
• Automated testing with integrated switching circuitry for seamless transitions between high voltage/current and I/V/C/V modes
• Plug-in socket adapter minimizes connection errors and reduces parasitic inductance from cable extensions
• Pulsed I/V measurement with oscilloscope view reveals device performance under minimal self-heating
• Gate charge (Qg) measurement for N-channel MOSFETs and IGBTs
• Power loss evaluation including conduction, driving, and switching loss calculation
• On-wafer I/V characterization supported
• Easy Test Navigator (ETN) menu-driven interface with automatic datasheet generation
• Auto-record function prevents data loss
• Self-calibration required after 40-minute warm-up
– Typical Applications
• Circuit design and device selection for power electronics
• System integration engineering
• Laboratory research and device performance validation
• Thermal characterization with Thermostream integration
– Compatibility & Integration
Configuration scalability supports expansion to include C/V and Qg measurements, with current range options from 20 A up to 500 A and 1500 A.
