Author Topic: Show Us Your Curve Tracer (Read 46052 times)

Electro Fan · « **on:** March 01, 2021, 07:44:12 pm »

It is very interesting to see the various approaches to "Curve Tracers": analog, digital, hardware, hardware plus software, standalone, with an oscilloscope, with a computer, with a SMU - in each case the design reflects the objectives and other thinking of the designer(s). Some curve tracers are for transistors, some for tubes, some for other active devices and/or passive components - lots of possibilities.

I think there might be a bit of a resurgence coming in curve tracers, for various reasons and purposes, not the least of which is education.

Please feel free to post your favorite curve tracers (including any images or links) that you use, built, or designed. Tell us a little bit about your use case(s) and what you like about your curve tracer and what if anything you might like it to do differently. Or feel free to post other related info that helps show the various uses and designs for assembled, kit, or DIY curve tracers.

Some people say that the world's first curve tracer was a Tektronix 570 but maybe someone knows of earlier curve tracers.

Here are several links for people wanting to get oriented toward curve tracers (intended to show some of the principles of curve tracers, not to advocate any particular product):

https://vintagetek.org/curve-tracers/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiconductor_curve_tracer

https://www.evaluationengineering.com/instrumentation/article/21126325/whats-the-difference-classic-curve-tracer-vs-smu-with-curve-tracer-software

https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/how-to-use-an-oscilloscope-as-a-curve-tracer

https://www.keysight.com/main/editorial.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=2838609&nid=-32110.1203274.02&id=2838609

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/understanding-i-v-curves-part-i/

https://www.qsl.net/kd7rem/pdf/octopus.pdf

https://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedias/curve-tracer-measurements

https://www.ossila.com/pages/iv-curves-measurement#

https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/blog/i-v-characteristic-curves.html

Electro Fan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2021, 07:07:20 pm »

A few more links in case it stimulates any posts.

Excellent fundamental video on curves by W2AEW:

A very cool curve tracer: ELV KS7000

A pretty practical/useful tracer: DCA75 - Atlas DCA Pro Advanced Semiconductor Analyser
https://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/dca75-dca-pro-semiconductor-analyser.html

An ideal entry/intermediate curve tracer (imo) might combine some of the functionality of the ELV KS7000 and the Peak DCA75

Edit Added comments and link:

An extension of the integration of ELV-like and PEAK-like functionality might be something like these Huntron products:

https://youtu.be/DHoEQivIdQQ

https://youtu.be/s-mRtOIHqqM

The realm beyond Huntron seems to go in the directions of perhaps still more functionality and flexibility and no doubt higher voltage thresholds as pioneered by the vintage Tektronix curve tracers.

Edit Added:

Edit Added:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/transistor-curve-tracer-kit-on-ebay/?all

graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2021, 03:40:21 am »

Here is a 3D red-cyan anaglyph of my Tektronix 575 curve tracer. It requires red (left) - cyan (right) anaglyph 3D glasses to view. Click on it for a full size version.

Chris

capt bullshot · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2021, 07:43:06 am »

Recently I've used my Tek 577 to test a simple circuit (PWM to Resistance converter for a particular purpose):

The curve tracer is set to 0.1V/div, 50uA/div and 0.1mA per step with some offset.
Not too linear, but I believe it'll do the job as it will be part of a closed loop. The circuit is intended to control the output voltage of a COTS SMPS by paralleling its output side to the adjustment pot. Voltage across that pot is low enough for this circuit to work. Of course, the curve tracer doesn't apply an PWM signal to the photocoupler, but PWM will be fast enough it gets smoothed out by the systems frequency response.

bd139 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2021, 08:10:04 am »

I used a 33120A and TDS210 as a curve tracer here to test a tunnel diode:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/msg1974956/#msg1974956

33120A has a floating output which makes this easier to do.

flash2b · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2021, 09:12:43 am »

See my topic in the Dutch blog: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=nl&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.circuitsonline.net%2Fforum%2Fview%2F141079

jan28 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2021, 04:58:18 pm »

BB3 running micropython curve tracer script: https://youtu.be/I0y6fgv8G00

Screenshot from YouTube video:

Martin.M · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2021, 06:13:54 pm »

575 with the 400v mod

Cubdriver · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2021, 08:03:34 pm »

Gotta love those old beasts!

-Pat

jjoonathan · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2021, 08:19:50 pm »

SMU gang represent!

(glances to the left, then to the right -- coast is clear, SPA gang isn't around yet)

Custom 3D printed feet and "panel" (bar) turn this SMU into a convenient bench tool. Actual work is done in jupyterlab / holoviews / pyvisa-py.

Johnny10 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2021, 08:21:05 pm »

575! No, that is my curve tracer!

bd139 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2021, 08:31:18 pm »

Quote from: jjoonathan on March 04, 2021, 08:19:50 pm

SMU gang represent!

(glances to the left, then to the right -- coast is clear, SPA gang isn't around yet)

Custom 3D printed feet and "panel" (bar) turn this SMU into a convenient bench tool. Actual work is done in jupyterlab / holoviews / pyvisa-py.

This is quite funny. I started designing a generic Tektronix grade curve tracer replacement last year. By the time I’d broken it down into logical blocks, made everything as generic as possible and attached a USB interface to it on paper I stepped back and squinted and it turned out I’d designed an SMU. I lost interest then for some reason.

Electro Fan · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2021, 09:21:21 pm »

Quote from: jan28 on March 04, 2021, 04:58:18 pm

BB3 running micropython curve tracer script: [url=https://youtu.be/I0y6fgv8G00]https://youtu.be/I0y6fgv8G00[/url]

Screenshot from YouTube video:
(Attachment Link)

Pretty Nifty!

https://www.crowdsupply.com/envox/eez-bb3/updates/micropython-arrives-on-bb3

EEZ Bench Box 3:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/envox/eez-bb3

Edit: Looks like a thread on the BB3:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/building-log-for-eez-bb3-enclosure-bare-boards/

Electro Fan · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2021, 09:24:19 pm »

Quote from: Martin.M on March 04, 2021, 06:13:54 pm

(Attachment Link)

575 with the 400v mod

Beautiful!

Electro Fan · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2021, 09:24:50 pm »

Quote from: Cubdriver on March 04, 2021, 08:03:34 pm

Gotta love those old beasts!

-Pat

Beautiful outside and inside!!

Electro Fan · « **Reply #15 on:** March 04, 2021, 09:28:23 pm »

Quote from: flash2b on March 04, 2021, 09:12:43 am

See my topic in the Dutch blog: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=nl&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.circuitsonline.net%2Fforum%2Fview%2F141079

Nice scope curve trace display.

Cubdriver · « **Reply #16 on:** March 04, 2021, 10:00:14 pm »

Found the one I took of my youngest lab assistant with the 'newest' curve tracer, too. He is observing a color-cycling LED as it transitions between hues, thus the weird instability in the trace (and he's now a third again bigger than he was in that picture):

-Pat

jxjbsd · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2021, 01:43:27 am »

Quote from: Cubdriver on March 04, 2021, 10:00:14 pm

Found the one I took of my youngest lab assistant with the 'newest' curve tracer, too. He is observing a color-cycling LED as it transitions between hues, thus the weird instability in the trace (and he's now a third again bigger than he was in that picture):

-Pat

Cat: You can increase the vertical gear one more gear.

rcjoy · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2021, 08:07:58 am »

Here's HP's version of the curve tracer, the 4145A Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer!

simyaci · « **Reply #19 on:** March 05, 2021, 08:45:26 am »

this device is also my design

wolfy007 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2021, 12:41:41 pm »

Heres an old one from me, using the classic 7603 + 7CT1N (sorry taken in low light with phone)

Johnny10 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 05, 2021, 11:36:01 pm »

The Tektronix 577

Shock · « **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2021, 03:29:19 am »

My Tektronix 576 curve tracer requires a power supply restoration but aside from that is a fairly clean example.

Here is a video that shows one approach to filter capacitor replacement. I may do mine a little differently so it's in the queue till I can devote the time. 49m40s shows their placement.

rsjsouza · « **Reply #23 on:** March 06, 2021, 10:49:37 am »

I have been monitoring prices for years and would love to have a higher voltage unit such as the 575/576/577, but unfortunately the disposable income and space in my lab are very limited.

So, this past Christmas I got a reasonably spec'd USB based curve tracer from a Chinese developer nicknamed locky_z. The unit is well made, the software is rock solid and well featured (despite having a small translation issue here and there) and it has good midrange specifications of 0-36V up to 2.5A.

In the pictures the unit is testing an old 2N6907 and bejng driven by my Power Designs 5015A.

I also did a video about it for my channel (in Portuguese only, sorry)
https://youtu.be/NjhEYeM-FWM

Electro Fan · « **Reply #24 on:** March 06, 2021, 06:12:26 pm »

Quote from: rsjsouza on March 06, 2021, 10:49:37 am

I have been monitoring prices for years and would love to have a higher voltage unit such as the 575/576/577, but unfortunately the disposable income and space in my lab are very limited.

So, this past Christmas I got a reasonably spec'd USB based curve tracer from a Chinese developer nicknamed locky_z. The unit is well made, the software is rock solid and well featured (despite having a small translation issue here and there) and it has good midrange specifications of 0-36V up to 2.5A.

In the pictures the unit is testing an old 2N6907 and bejng driven by my Power Designs 5015A.

I also did a video about it for my channel (in Portuguese only, sorry)
https://youtu.be/NjhEYeM-FWM

Cool

Looks like locky_z sells kits and assembled versions on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Locky-z-2019-Curve-tracer-/114233327020

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Locky-z-2019-Curve-tracer-with-new-component/114234796434?hash=item1a98eca992:g:91cAAOSwncJeyNdX

Also saw your unboxing video - it helps show what comes with the kit. Thx!


EEVblog Main Site	EEVblog on Youtube	EEVblog on Twitter	EEVblog on Facebook	EEVblog on Odysee

Author Topic: Show Us Your Curve Tracer (Read 46052 times)

Share me