Agilent Technologies’ Enhanced Source Measure Unit Saves Space, Time on Test Bench or in System Rack

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) introduced a three-channel source measure unit (SMU) that can simultaneously provide power and perform measurements in applications such as parametric testing of diodes, LEDs, CMOS integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices. The U2723A USB modular SMU’s compact size saves benchtop space, and its improved throughput saves time. It is the latest addition to Agilent’s family of paperback-sized USB modular instruments.

The compact U2723A, which supplies voltage (± 20 V) and current (120 mA) on all three channels, can operate in four-quadrant mode and also provides accurate current measurements down to nanoamp levels. With 15 ms rise time, the SMU improves throughput, especially during mass testing of semiconductor devices. It also simplifies automated testing with up to two embedded test scripts per channel.

“With just one U2723A, our customers in the semiconductor industry can quickly obtain reliable power and get accurate measurements without spending too much time or effort on programming,” said Ee Huei Sin, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Basic Instruments Division. “Because the SMU is so fast and packs so much capability into a small space, we often describe it as the SMU that helps our customers conquer space and time.”

The Agilent U2723A can be used as a standalone instrument or as a module plugged into the compact U2781A USB modular-products chassis. For standalone use, the U2723A can be connected to a PC via USB, and testing can be performed with the bundled Agilent Measurement Manager (AMM) software. To simplify integration into new or existing test systems, AMM includes a code-conversion capability that translates commands into forms compatible with popular programming languages such as C#, C++, Agilent VEE and Microsoft(r) Visual Basic.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent U2723A USB modular source measure unit is priced at $3,500 and is available now worldwide.

More information about the Agilent U2723A can be found at www.agilent.com/find/U2723A. High-resolution images are available at www.agilent.com/find/U2723A_images.

About Agilent Technologies’ Low-Cost Instruments (LCI)

An increasing number of field engineers and technicians worldwide are asking for measurement instruments that can be easily transported for installation and maintenance activities. To meet these needs, instruments must have three key attributes: mobility, accuracy and affordability.

Agilent’s low-cost instrument initiative is focused on providing high-value test equipment in these key areas. Products include bench, handheld and modular devices such as basic power supplies, benchtop and handheld digital multimeters, handheld oscilloscopes, USB data acquisition devices, display testers, Agilent VEE software, and connectivity gateways.

The industry has taken note: The Agilent U1600A Series of oscilloscopes was voted Product of the Year by readers of Elektronik magazine (2006); the Agilent U1250A Series of digital multimeters was named an EDN Hot 100 Product (2006), analogZONE’s Best Value Portable Test Equipment (2006) and a Test & Measurement World Best in Test finalist (2009); and Agilent VEE software was Test & Measurement World’s Best in Test winner in the test-software category (2009).

More information about Agilent LCI is available on the Web at www.agilent.com/find/lci_backgrounder.
About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 18,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.8 billion in fiscal 2008. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.