The Keithley 2280S-32-6 32V/6A Precision Measurement DC Power Supply uses linear regulation to ensure low output noise and superior load current measurement sensitivity. A high resolution color Thin Film Transistor (TFT) screen displays a wide range of information on measurements. Soft-key buttons and a navigation wheel combine with the TFT display to provide an easy-to-navigate user interface that speeds instrument setup and operation. In addition, built-in plotting functions allow monitoring trends, such as drift. This supply provides the flexibility required for both benchtop and automated test system applications.

DMM-Quality low-current Measurements with High Resolution

Unlike conventional power supplies, the 2280S-32-6 can also make measurements with up to 6 1/2 digits of resolution. Voltage output measurements can be resolved down to 100μV. These supply measure load currents from 100nA to amps and can resolve down to 10nA. Four load current measurement ranges (10A, 1A, 100mA, and 10mA) support measuring a device's full load current, standby mode current, and small sleep mode currents with DMM-quality accuracy. The high resolution allows characterizing small changes in load currents with confidence. It also makes it possible to make a broad range of measurements on a single range with excellent accuracy across both low and high current values.

Figure 1. Time-Critical Measurements

Figure 2. Measure the start-up load currents as a device powers up.

Measure Rapidly Changing Loads

To monitor fast-changing and pulse-like load currents properly, the 2280S-32-6 offers the speed necessary to capture load changes that occur at intervals as short as 140μs. This capability allows designers and manufacturers of portable, battery-operated devices to monitor load currents easily in all of a device's operating modes so they can determine the device's total power consumption.

This high speed measurement capability allows measuring each state of a power-up load sequence and a power-down sequence. Measurements can be made as fast as 2500 readings per second, making it possible to characterize and test the current draw at each of the start-up states.

View and Control Every Parameter of the Supply for Maximum Performance

The bright, 4.3-inch TFT display shows voltage and current readings, the source settings and many additional settings in large, easy-to-read characters. The icon-based main menu provides all the functions users can control and program for fast access to source setup, measurement setup, display formats, trigger options, and system settings. Menus are short, and the menu options you need are easy to find and clearly described, so that you can set up test parameters quickly by using the navigation wheel, keypad, or soft-keys. Many set-up parameters, such as for voltage and current settings, can be entered directly from the home screen; less complex tests don't even require accessing the main menu to make adjustments. Whether your test's requirements are uncomplicated or complex, the 2280S-32-6 provides a simple way to set up all the required parameters.

Figure 3. Home Screen

Figure 4. Main Menu

Figure 5. Measure Sub-Screen

Controlled Rise and Fall Times Protect Devices Under Test

The 2280S-32-6 allows programming the voltage output's rise time to slow the voltage ramp and avoid voltage overshoot, which could potentially damage the DUT. The voltage fall time can also be controlled to prevent a fast ramp down of the output voltage. Voltage rise and fall times can be set as slow as 10V/s or as fast as 100V/s. Small voltage transitions can be programmed to rise and fall as fast as 1000V/s.

Perform Semi-Automated Testing Right on Your Bench

Test your design over its operating voltage range automatically or study how it responds to DC output changes by using the 2280S-32-6's built-in List Mode function. Create and save up to 10 lists of sequenced voltage levels with up to 99 distinct voltages in each list. The duration of each voltage level can be set as short as 1ms or as long as 60s. Create simple linear ramps or any custom configuration from either the front panel or an interface bus. A single trigger will automatically execute the list once or multiple times.

Trend Analysis and Load Current Characterization

Use the built-in graphing function to monitor the stability of the load current or capture and display a dynamic load current. Or, use it to view a start-up or turn-off load current. The 2280S-32-6 can take measurements quickly and store up to 2,500 measurement points. In addition to displaying a voltage or current waveform or both, it can compute statistics on the stored data. Statistical calculation options include average, maximum, minimum, peak-peak, and standard deviation. All the information you need is accessible through a few display menus.

Figure 6. Programmable Slew Rates

Figure 7A. List Setup Screen.

Figure 7B. List Mode

Automate Tests Quickly and Easily with KickStart Software

Set up an automated test for the 2280S-32-6 in four simple steps with the KickStart start-up software. Once the program is open, perform these steps: create a test file, select the 2280S-32-6, select the power supply application, and enter the test parameters. Run the test, and get results without having to write a line of code. KickStart provides both graph and spreadsheet displays. Data is saved to the test file, and the data can be exported to data analysis programs. Or take a screen shot of the plot for reproduction in test reports. Up to 15,000 data points can be stored. KickStart may be all the software you ever need.

Optimized Performance for Production Test

Series 2280S supplies are as powerful in a production test system as they are flexible on the R&D benchtop. In addition to their List Mode function, several other 2280S-32-6 features help minimize test time in automated systems. For example, an external trigger input allows hardware synchronization and control by other instruments in the test system. To eliminate many system delays, the 2280S-32-6 produces a "measurement complete output" to signal the test system when the supply has completed its required actions. To reduce measurement time, the reading speed can be increased by reducing the acquisition time from power line cycle integration times, 16ms at 60 Hz (20 ms at 50 Hz), to 33μs (40μs). Furthermore, the 2280S-32-6 can sink up to 0.45A. Thus, these supplies can quickly discharge a voltage level and change to a different voltage.

Figure 8. Graphing Function

Figure 9. KickStart Main Screen

Figure 10. KickStart Plot

A choice of front or rear panel terminals provides enhanced connection flexibility. For maximum voltage accuracy, 4-wire remote sensing ensures that the output voltage programmed is actually the level applied to the load. In addition, the sense lines are monitored in order to detect any breaks in them. These features ensure any production problems can be quickly identified and corrected. Four additional digital I/O pins can provide fault status outputs or control an external relay or status lamp. The 2280S-32-6 can be controlled via its built-in GPIB, USB, or LAN interfaces. The USB interface is test and measurement system (TMC) compliant. The LXI Core compliant LAN interface supports controlling and monitoring the 2280S-32-6 power supply remotely, so test engineers can always access it and view its measurements.