The Keysight E4350B Solar Array Simulator is a 480 W DC power source engineered to emulate the output characteristics of photovoltaic arrays across multiple operating modes. It delivers programmable voltage (0–60 V) and current (0–8 A) with high accuracy, enabling precise testing of solar power converters, satellite subsystems, and renewable energy applications. The instrument supports three distinct operating modes: Simulator Mode uses an internal algorithm with four input parameters (Voc, Isc, Imp, Vmp) to approximate solar array I-V curves; Table Mode stores up to 60 configurable voltage-current tables (3500 points non-volatile, 30,000 points volatile) for fast, accurate simulation with offset capability; Fixed Mode provides standard rectangular power supply characteristics.
Technical Specifications
• Output Power: 480 W maximum
• Voltage Range (Mixed Mode): 0–60 V; Open circuit maximum 65 V
• Current Range (Mixed Mode): 0–8 A; short circuit maximum 8 A
• Voltage Accuracy (Fixed Mode, 25°C ±5°C): 0.075% + 10 mV
• Current Accuracy (Simulator and Fixed Mode, 25°C ±5°C): 0.2% + 20 mA
• Load Switching Recovery Time: < 5 µs (short circuit to operating point within 1.5 A)
• Capacitive Load Stability: 2000 µF maximum (Fixed Mode); unconditionally stable in Simulator and Table Modes
• Inductive Load Stability: 200 µH maximum
• OVP/OCP Response: ≤ 100 µs
• Remote Sensing Capability: Up to 2 V+ (Voc–Vmp)
• Voltage Load Regulation: 3 mV per 1 V output lead change
• Ripple and Noise: Measured 20 Hz to 20 MHz
– Key Features
• Single output with dual operating voltage/current ratings
• Programmable offsets for simulating changing environmental conditions
• Non-volatile table storage retains configurations after power loss
• Fast transient response suitable for dynamic load testing
• Protection circuits trigger protection events in ≤ 100 µs
– Typical Applications
• Photovoltaic converter testing and validation
• Satellite power subsystem development
• Solar array behavior characterization
• Aerospace power system integration testing
– Compatibility & Integration
• GPIB interface for remote control
• Analog current programming: 0 to −4.0 V input, 20 k Ohm nominal impedance
• Serial link cable (p/n 5080-2148, 2 m length) available
