Model 2601B-PULSE System SourceMeter Instrument Reference Manual Section 7: Theory of operation
2601B-PULSE-901-01A April 2020 7-17
The following figure shows a current sweep on a resistive load of 200 Ω. For this example, the
instrument is programmed to sweep current to 100 mA, limit voltage (6 V), and limit power (500 mW).
When sweeping, the actual source output varies according to the programmed source value until the
voltage limit is reached. As the figure shows, the output sources the programmed value until placed in
voltage compliance at the 6 V limit. The sweep then continues (programmed current source values
increase along the green sweep points line), but the output remains at the same value as when the
instrument went into voltage compliance. This continues until the programmed source value sweeps
to a high enough level that the power limit line is reached (500 mW). At this point, the voltage and the
current start to decrease, lowering the current and voltage values along the DUT load line. When the
last point is swept (100 mA), the actual output is 25 mA (at 5 V).
Figure 115: Current source sweep operation in voltage and power compliance
I-source sink operating boundaries
The quadrant within which the 2601B-PULSE operates depends on the device-under-test (DUT)
connected to the 2601B-PULSE output. The following example illustrates this operation by using the
2601B-PULSE configured to provide a constant current to discharge a 12 V power source (a battery).
When using the current source as a sink, always set the voltage compliance limit to levels
that are higher than the external voltage level. Using the 2601B to sink more than 3 A can
damage the instrument and invalidate your warranty.
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