National Instruments Adds Programmable PXI Power Supply
Engineers now can source voltage or current with high accuracy from a single PXI slot with the new National Instruments PXI-4110 programmable DC power supply. The new power supply exceeds the accuracy of other PXI power supplies with high-resolution set points and read back measurement capability while reducing test times with programming speeds less than 1 ms. It is designed for applications such as I-V curve tracing, device characterization or device power sourcing in a variety of industries, including semiconductor, consumer electronics and communications.
The NI PXI-4110 is a programmable, triple-output precision DC power supply in a single-slot, 3U PXI module. It has two isolated channels, one from 0 to +20 V and the other from 0 to -20 V, and a single non-isolated 0 to 6 V supply -- all capable of outputting up to 1 A per channel. Engineers can use the module's 16-bit resolution set points, selectable 20 mA current range and read back measurements to program 0.12 mV changes in voltage and 0.4 microamps changes in current to meet the most rigid test specification requirements.
With less than 1 ms programming speeds, engineers can perform fast voltage/current sweeps across a device, reducing total test time compared to traditional GPIB or serial controlled power supplies by more than 10 times. The module offers 9 W of output power when operating from the PXI backplane supply, and up to 46 W of power (maximum of 20 W per channel) when connected to an auxiliary power supply through the module's front panel.
With the 20 mA current range and its built-in measurement of both terminal voltage and current, this power supply is the first PXI module to source and measure current with a resolution better than 1 microamps. Engineers can take advantage of this functionality not only in power supply applications, but also in many applications that typically require a separate precision source-measure unit. This additional functionality can reduce the cost of test systems in applications such as I-V curve tracing, where small current changes are required to fully characterize a device.
The new power supply works with all NI modular instruments as well as the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment, the LabWindows/CVI ANSI C development environment and Microsoft Visual Basic/C++. When combined with digital multimeters, digitizers, arbitrary waveform generators, high-speed digital devices, switches and other modular instruments, the new power supply can help form a complete functional test system in a single PXI chassis. The module also includes a test panel and Express VI for simple troubleshooting and fast application development.
