Keithley 6482 - Sweep Types; Linear Staircase Sweep; Logarithmic Staircase Sweep

7-2 Return to Section Topics 6482-901-01 Rev. A / August 2012
Section 7: Sweep Operation Model 6482 Dual-Channel Picoammeter / Voltage Source Reference Manual
Sweep types
The Model 6482 can perform three basic sweep types:
• Linear staircase sweep
• Logarithmic staircase sweep
• Custom sweep
Linear staircase sweep
As shown in Figure 7-1, this sweep steps from a start voltage source value to an ending (stop)
voltage source value. Programmable parameters include the start, stop, and step source voltage
levels.
When this sweep is triggered to start, the output will go from the bias voltage level to the start
source voltage level. The output will then change in equal steps until the stop source level is
reached. With trigger delay set to zero (0), the time duration at each step is determined by the
source delay and the time it takes to perform the measurement (NPLC setting). Note that the delay
cannot change once a sweep is configured and running, and is the same for all steps.
Figure 7-1
Linear staircase sweep
Logarithmic staircase sweep
This sweep is similar to the linear staircase sweep. The steps, however, are done on a logarithmic
scale as shown in the example sweep in Figure 7-2. This is a 5-point logarithmic sweep from 1 to
10 V. As with the staircase sweep, the delay period is the same for all steps.
Delay
Start
Bias
Stop
Step
Step
Step
Measure Measure Measure Measure
X = Measurement point
X
X
X
X
Delay
Delay
Delay