tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571183328515474247.post5143731716574170762..comments2023-03-28T06:17:23.301-04:00Comments on The Savvy Test Engineer: Misleading specificationsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00511951454603737988noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571183328515474247.post-86737912709175931372011-01-11T17:32:20.825-05:002011-01-11T17:32:20.825-05:00Hi Greg -
Thanks for the additional detail - perh...Hi Greg -<br /><br />Thanks for the additional detail - perhaps there was a miscommunication via the app engineer regarding sinking vs. sourcing.<br /><br />When sinking (dissipating power from an external source such as an illuminated solar cell), multiple PXI-4130 modules can be "ganged" in parallel for higher current. With 2 PXI-4130 modules you can sink up to 4A.<br /><br />However, multiple PXI-4130 modules cannot be ganged in parallel to <b>source</b> higher current. This limitation is commonly seen on 4-quadrant devices due to their ability to freely switch between sinking and sourcing, which can result in oscillations when there are parallel SMUs attempting to source. Again, when parallel SMUs are sinking, there is no issue.<br /><br />Finally, the PXI-4130 can also be "stacked" in series for higher voltage. This applies to both sourcing and sinking operation.<br /><br />Again, I apologize for any lack of clarity in the information we provided - please let me know if I can help out more.Travis Whitehttp://www.ni.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571183328515474247.post-82771757344600906972010-08-24T11:10:52.823-04:002010-08-24T11:10:52.823-04:00Travis,
Thanks for the clarifications. But the a...Travis,<br /><br />Thanks for the clarifications. But the app engineer I talked with at NI said I should not link the 4130 modules in series for more current in an IV sweep. Furthermore, the 10W limit isn't an issue for me as much as the current limit is. If I cannot get above 2A, even at low voltage, then that remains a problem.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00511951454603737988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2571183328515474247.post-19564702918487877752010-08-19T15:43:51.427-04:002010-08-19T15:43:51.427-04:00Hi Greg -
Sorry if the information on ni.com was...Hi Greg - <br /><br />Sorry if the information on ni.com was not clear. This is Travis White - NI product manager.<br /><br />The <a href="http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/204239" rel="nofollow">NI PXI-4130 Power SMU</a> can source 20V, 2A (40W max) per module but can only sink 10W max. This info can be found in the NI PXI-4130 specifications <a href="http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/374746d.pdf" rel="nofollow">here</a>.<br /><br />As mentioned in the <a href="http://sine.ni.com/nipartslist/app/pages/publicview/p/listview/1f3668158f554380" rel="nofollow">linked bundle</a>, multiple PXI-4130 modules can be used in parallel to sink more power. The 10W limit per module still applies. We've seen engineers choose both parallel and series combinations of PXI SMU modules for solar cell and solar panel test.<br /><br />The <a href="http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/202611" rel="nofollow">APS-4100 Auxiliary Power Source</a> is an external supply that provides additional power to the PXI-4130. This 12V/5A power is regulated by the PXI-4130 to provide the aforementioned 20V, 2A 4-quadrant output available to the user. I will take the action item of updating the APS-4100 web page to be more clear that the 5A specification refers only to the APS-4100 (not the output available on the PXI-4130).<br /><br />We appreciate the feedback on your post - if you have more feedback for us, please feel free to give me a ring at 512.683.0100.Travis Whitehttp://www.ni.comnoreply@blogger.com