GDS2000A Oscilloscope - Curve tracer demonstration and tests at XY mode

[Kiriakos GR]

Your first findings at Google search regarding a Curve Tracer it will be numerous schematics.

Now a little bit of history, the curve tracer it is the description of a unified testing machine for testing mostly diode characteristics.
Half part of this testing machine this is an ACV power supply with current limiter and adjustable voltage output.
The other half part this is an Oscilloscope this be fixed to operate at XY mode.

Nowadays the digital oscilloscope it has dominate the market, but only the ones complying as Entry level professional they come with remarkable features, as for example the demonstration of eight measured parameters under the waveform window.

They say YOU GET of what you have paid (Value of goods)...  And at GW Instek GDS2000A the payment includes quality software placed inside of the Oscilloscope, which this makes the difference even in the application of Curve Tracer.

It is not a myth that analog oscilloscopes deliver a crisp trace but non of them it can deliver what your are going to witness by examining carefully the below screenshots.

Possibly, you may imagine of why current limiting this is necessary in a curve tracer.
Due the pictures below you will also understand and of why adjustable voltage output this is also essential.

Within 2019 the Curve Tracer this is not a dead method for testing, it is a fact that 100% reliable components testing is the one in which the test it is made at it maximum operating voltage specification of its component.
Similar electrolytic capacitors testing and even diodes or transistors, this is made for us gaining confidence, that this component it is leakage free (or nominal) and that is not Half-working either.     
 
Your first DIY Curve Tracer it would work at 50/60Hz mains frequency, this is suffice for DC components testing which them serving at the secondary circuit of modern pulsing power supply.
While I am still exploring Curve Tracer design potentials, I am now close to assume that the ADVANCED Curve tracer circuit this it should also include and adjustable operating frequency.

Outside of the DIY concept, we may imagine that the ideal power source for a Curve Tracer Circuit this can be a benchtop Function Generator this be able to deliver up to 100V of output up to 1Mhz of frequency.
I do not see another way testing fast switching diodes at their operating frequency and voltage too.

I am going to stop here about messing with your head and thoughts, the sector of advanced electronics and electrical applications this is for minds them having the appropriate compatibility, and not for every one.   


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