A curve tracer (also known as a parameter analyzer) is an essential electronic test instrument used to inspect and analyze the characteristics of semiconductor devices. By applying a swept voltage to a device--such as a transistor, diode, or thyristor--the instrument measures the resulting current to plot a current-voltage (I-V) characteristic curve.
Typical parameters measured include:
- Diode forward voltage (Vf)
- Reverse leakage current (Ir)
- Saturation current (Is)
- Reverse breakdown voltage (Vbr)
- DC current gain (hFE)
- MOSFET threshold voltage (Vth)
- On-resistance (Rds(on))
As power semiconductor devices (such as SiC and GaN) are designed to handle increasingly higher voltages, standard curve tracers often lack the necessary voltage range for full characterization. Matsusada Precision offers high-voltage power supplies and high-speed amplifiers that serve as ideal sweep voltage sources for custom curve tracing systems and component evaluation.
- Related Terms:
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- Electronic test instrument
- I-V curve
- Semiconductor device
- Sweep voltage
- Parametric characterization
- Curve tracer
- Parameter analyzer
