Two-Terminal Curve Tracer
This project has been on my decade-at-a-glance for about a
decade. In my lab, I'm always running into situation where I need
a good idea of the forward voltage drops of diodes and rectifier
bridges, LEDs, and needing the precise value of a low resistance
resistor. I always knew a good curve tracer for two-terminal
devices would be just the ticket. I wanted a stand alone unit,
with it's own graphing display, as well as data export
capability. And it had to deliver a reasonable amount of
programmable current.
So, in 2005, I finally took this on. The curve tracer sports
4-wire measurement, and can resolve and accurately measure resistances
to smaller than a milliohm. It displays the
Voltage-versus-current and current-versus-Voltage graphs in a pleasant
graphic format on the built in display. The complete, stand-alone
system is about half the size of a child's lunch box. I've used
it numerous times already, characterizing precision resistance
standards, evaluating LCD backlight current/voltage curves, and
optimizing current drives for LEDs. The data export feature is
handy for transferring the curve data to a computer for inclusion in
data sheets.
Click here for the PDF User's Manual I
wrote for the unit.
Email me with any questions
Return to my Home Page