Keysight Technologies
B2900A Series
Precision Source/Measure Unit
Data Sheet
The Keysight Technologies, Inc. B2900A Series of Precision Source/Measure Units are
compact and cost-effective bench-top Source/Measure Units (SMUs) with the capability
to output and measure both voltage and current. An SMU combines the capabilities of
a current source, a voltage source, a current meter and a voltage meter along with the
capability to switch easily between these various functions into a single instrument. The
Keysight B2900A series of SMUs provide best-in-class performance at a lower price than
ever before. They have broad voltage (210 V) and current (3 A DC and 10.5 A pulsed)
sourcing capability, excellent precision (minimum 10 fA/100 nV sourcing and measuring
resolution ) and high measurement throughput. They also support an arbitrary waveform
generation function. In addition, the Keysight B2900A series possess a superior graphical
user interface with various viewing modes that dramatically improve test productivity,
debug and characterization. The versatile integrated source and measurement capabilities
of the Keysight B2900 series SMUs make them an ideal choice for testing semiconductors,
active/passive components and a variety of other devices and materials. The B2900
series has a broad application range that spans from R&D and education uses to industrial
development, test and manufacturing. Moreover, they work equally well as either stand-
alone or system components. The Keysight B2900A series consists of four models, the
B2901A, B2902A, B2911A and B2912A, differentiated through their available features
(number of digits displayed, measurement resolution, minimum timing interval, supported
viewing modes, etc.) and by the number of SMU channels (one or two) they contain. This
makes it easy to select the exact price/performance point to meet your testing needs.
Introduction
B2901A B2902A B2911A B2912A
Number of channels 1 2 1 2
Max output Voltage 210 V 210 V 210 V 210 V
Current DC 3.03 A 3.03 A 3.03 A 3.03 A
Pulsed 10.5 A 10.5 A 10.5 A 10.5 A
Power 31.8 W 31.8 W 31.8 W 31.8 W
Source Max digits Digits 5½ 5½ 6½ 6½
Min resolution Voltage 100 nV 100 nV
Current 1 pA 1 pA 10 fA 10 fA
Measurement Max digits Digits 6½ 6½ 6½ 6½
Min resolution Voltage 100 nV 100 nV 100 nV 100 nV
Current 100 fA 100 fA 10 fA 10 fA
Min programmable interval for List sweep/AWG waveform
Min trigger interval for digitizing
(Max sample rate)
(50000 pts/s)
(50000 pts/s)
(100000 pts/s)
(100000 pts/s)
View modes Single view
Dual view
Graph view
Roll view
Cost-effective source/
measurement solutions
offer superior performance
and a best-in-class
graphical user interface.
– Integrated voltage/current 4-quadrant precision source and measurement
capabilities for easy and accurate I/V measurement
– Wide coverage up to 210 V, 3 A DC/10.5 A pulse
– 10 fA/100 nV minimum measurement resolution (6½ digits)
– 10 fA/100 nV minimum sourcing resolution (6½ digits)
– The 4.3” front panel color display supports both graphical and numerical view modes
– High resolution arbitrary waveform generation (AWG) and list sweep functions
– High speed digitizing capability (maximum 100000 points/s sample rate)
– Free application software to facilitate PC -based instrument control
– IVI-COM drivers, and SCPI supporting conventional SMU command set for basic
compatibility
– LXI Core Conformant, USB2.0, GPIB, LAN and digital I/O interface
03 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
1. Temperature: 23 °C ±5 °C
2. Humidity: 30 % to 80 % RH
3. After 60 minutes warm-up
4. Ambient temperature change less than ±3 °C after self-calibration execution
5. Calibration period: 1 year
6. Measurement speed: 1 PLC (Power Line Cycle)
Maximum voltage and current
Max voltage Max current
DC or pulsed1210 V 0.105 A
21 V 1.515 A2
6 V 3.03 A2
Pulsed only1200 V 1.515 A
6 V 10.5 A
1. See “Maximum pulse width and duty cycle” in Pulse Source Supplemental Characteristics for
applicable maximum voltage and current.
2. Max current limitation: For 21 V/1.515 A and 6 V/3.03 A ranges, total max current is limited by the
table below for using 2 channels. Max current is not limited for using 1 channel only.
Maximum current limitation
Ch1 voltage Ch2 voltage Max total current limitation of Ch1 and Ch2
-200
Current [A]
Voltage [V]
Pulsed only1
-10.5
-6 6 200
1.515
10.5
-1.515
3.03
Voltage [V]
21
-21 -6 -0.1 6
-1.515
0.1
1.515
-3.03
-210
210
DC or pulsed1
Current [A]
04 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Range Programming resolution Accuracy
(% reading + offset)
Noise
(peak to peak)
0.1 Hz to 10 Hz1
Max voltage
(over range)
B2901A/B2902A B2911A/B2912A
±200 mV 100 nV ±210 mV
±2 V ±2.1 V
±20 V ±(0.015 % + 5 mV) ±21 V
±200 V 1 mV ±(0.015 % + 50 mV) ±210 V
1. Supplemental characteristics
Range Programming resolution Accuracy
(% reading + offset)
Noise (peak to peak)
0.1 Hz to 10 Hz 1
Max current
(over range)
B2901A/B2902A B2911A/B2912A
±10 nA2—10 fA ±(0.10 % + 50 pA) ±10.5 nA
±100 nA 1 pA 100 fA ±(0.06 % + 100 pA) ±105 nA
10 pA 1 pA ±(0.025 % + 500 pA)
100 pA 10 pA ±(0.025 % + 1.5 nA)
1 nA 100 pA ±(0.02 % + 25 nA)
±1 mA 10 nA 1 nA ±(0.02 % + 200 nA) ±1.05 mA
±10 mA 100 nA 10 nA ±10.5 mA
±100 mA 100 nA ±105 mA
±1 A ±(0.03 % + 1.5 mA) ±1.05 A
±1.5 A ±(0.05 % + 3.5 mA) ±1.515 A
±3 A ±3.03 A
±10 A3 ±10.5 A
1. Supplemental characteristics
2. 10 nA range is not available for B2901A/B2902A.
3. 10 A range is available only for pulse mode, not available for DC mode.
4. Measurement speed: 0.01 PLC
05 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Source supplemental characteristics
Max output power and source/sink limits:
31.8 W
±6 V @ ±3.03 A, ±21 V @ ±1.515 A, ±210 V @ ±105 mA, four quadrant source or sink
operation.
Current limit/compliance:
Accuracy is same as current source. Minimum value is 1 % of range, or 1 nA in
10 nA range.
Voltage limit/compliance:
Accuracy is same as voltage source. Minimum value is 1 % of range, or 20 mV in
200 mV range
Over range :
101 % of source range for 1.5 A and 3 A ranges. 105 % of source range other than
1.5 A and 3 A ranges. No over range for 200 V range with current exceeding 105 mA
pulse only condition.
Over temperature protection:
Output turns off then resets at over temperature sensed internally.
Voltage output settling time:
Step is 10 % to 90 % range
Slew rate:
Current output settling time:
condition. Step is 10 % to 90 % range
10 nA, 100 nA ranges: < 10 ms
Noise 10 Hz to 20 MHz (V source): 3 mVrms, 20 V range.
V source overshoot:
< ±(0.1 % + 10 mV). Step is 10 % to 90 % range, resistive load.
I source overshoot:
< ±0.1 % (< ±0.3 % for 3 A range). Step is 10 % to 90 % range, resistive load.
Voltage source range change overshoot:
Current source range change overshoot:
06 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Pulse source supplemental characteristics
Maximum pulse width and duty cycle:
Pulsed DC
Max voltage Max peak current Max base current Pulse width Max duty cycle Max voltage Max current
DC or pulsed 210 V 0.105 A 0.105 A 210 V 0.105 A
21 V 1.515 A11.515 A1 21 V 1.515 A1
6 V 3.03 A13.03 A1 6 V 3.03 A1
Pulsed only 200 V 1.515 A 50 mA 2.5 %
180 V 1.05 A 50 mA 2.5 %
6 V 10.5 A 0.5 A 2.5 %
1. Max current limitation: For 21 V/1.515 A and 6 V / 3.03 A ranges, total max current is limited by the table in page 3 for using 2 channels. Max current is not
limited for using 1 channel only.
Minimum pulse width at the given voltage, current and settling conditions:
Source value Limit value Load Source settling
(% of range)
Min pulse width
200 V 1.5 A 0.1 % 1 ms
6 V 10.5 A 0.1 % 0.2 ms
1.5 A 200 V 0.1 % 2.5 ms
10.5 A 6 V 0.1 % 0.2 ms
90%
Peak level
Base level
Pulse width
10%
07 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Range Measurement resolution Accuracy
(% reading + offset)
B2901A/B2902A B2911A/B2912A
±200 mV 100 nV 100 nV
±2 V
±20 V ±(0.015 % + 5 mV)
±200 V ±(0.015 % + 50 mV)
1. Supplemental characteristics
Range Measurement resolution Accuracy
(% reading + offset)
B2901A/B2902A B2911A/B2912A
±10 nA1—10 fA ±(0.10 % + 50 pA)
±100 nA 100 fA 100 fA ±(0.06 % + 100 pA)
1 pA 1 pA ±(0.025 % + 500 pA)
10 pA 10 pA ±(0.025 % + 1.5 nA)
100 pA 100 pA ±(0.02 % + 25 nA)
±1 mA 1 nA 1 nA ±(0.02 % + 200 nA)
±10 mA 10 nA 10 nA
±100 mA 100 nA 100 nA
±1 A ±(0.03 % + 1.5 mA)
±1.5 A ±(0.05 % + 3.5 mA)
±3 A
±10 A2 3
1. 10 nA range is not available for B2901A/B2902A.
2. 10 A range is available only for pulse mode, not available for DC mode.
3. Measurement speed: 0.01 PLC
08 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Measurement supplemental characteristics
Over range :
102 % of measurement range for 1.5 A and 3 A ranges.
106 % of measurement range other than 1.5 A and 3 A ranges.
Voltage measurement range change overshoot:
Current measurement range change overshoot:
< 250 mV/R load, 20 MHz bandwidth
Derating accuracy for measurement speed less than 1 PLC :
Add % of range using the following table for measurement with PLC < 1.
Derating accuracy with PLC setting< 1 PLC
Voltage range Current range
0.2 V 2 V to 200 V 10 nA 100 nA 1 μA to 100 mA 1 A to 3 A
0.1 PLC 0.01 % 0.01 % 0.1 % 0.01 % 0.01 % 0.01 %
0.01 PLC 0.05 % 0.02 % 1 % 0.1 % 0.05 % 0.02 %
0.001 PLC 0.5 % 0.2 % 5 % 1 % 0.5 % 0.2 %
Triggering
Digital I/O trigger in to trigger out1
Digital I/O trigger in to source change1
LXI trigger in to source change1
LXI trigger in to measurement1
Internal event to external LXI trigger output1
Maximum Unknown
LAN[0-7] Event Receiving Latency1: Unknown
LAN[0-7] Event Sending Latency1: Unknown
1. Supplemental characteristics
Timer
Timer accuracy: ±50 ppm
Arm/trigger delay: 0 to 100000 s
Arm/trigger event: 1 to 100000
Time stamp: TIMER value automatically saved when each measurement is
triggered.
09 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Other supplemental characteristics
Output characteristics
Sensing Modes: 2-wire or 4-wire (Remote-sensing) connections
Output connectors:
Banana jack. Triaxial connections are recommended for sourcing and measuring less
than 1 nA. A banana jack to triaxial adapter is available for low current measurement.
Output location: Channel 1 at front, and channel 2 at rear.
Maximum load:
Guard offset voltage (V source): < 4 mV
Remote sense operation range:
Max voltage between High Force and High Sense = 3 V
Max voltage between Low Force and Low Sense = 3 V
High capacitance mode
The high capacitance mode permits the measurement of devices with capacitances
Voltage output settling time:
20 V range: 1.5 ms, at 1 A limit
200 V range: 20 ms, at 100 mA limit
Current measurement settling time:
1 mA, 10 mA ranges: 0.23 ms
Mode change delay:
Delay into high cap mode:
1 mA to 3 A ranges: 1 ms
Delay out of high cap mode:
All ranges: 10 ms
Noise 10 Hz to 20 MHz (20 V range): 4.5 mVrms
Voltage source range change overshoot (20 V range or below):
< 250 mV, 20 MHz bandwidth
High Capacitance mode working conditions:
V/I mode: Voltage source mode only
ranges are not available.
10 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Resistance measurement
Resistance measurement can be performed under either auto or manual test conditions.
Auto resistance measurement is performed in current source and voltage measurement
mode. The total auto resistance measurement error is shown in the table below. The total
error of a manual resistance measurement can be calculated using the voltage and
current accuracy information as shown below.
Source I mode, manual ohm measurement (4-wire):
Total error = Vmeas/Isrc = R reading x (gain error % of V range + gain error % of
I range + offset error of I range/Isrc value %) + (offset error of V range/Isrc value)
Source V mode, manual ohm measurement (4-wire):
Total error = Vsrc/Imeas = 1/ [1/R reading x (gain error % of I range + gain error % of
V range + offset error of V range/Vsrc value %) + (offset error of I range/Vsrc value)]
Measurement speed = 1 PLC
Applicable for temperature: 23 °C ± 5 °C
Example of total error calculation:
I source value = 1 mA at 1 mA range
V measure range = 2 V range
Typical performance of auto resistance measurement (4-wire), 2 V range
Range Resolution Test current Current range Total error
(% reading + offset)
1 A 1 A
100 mA 100 mA
10 mA 10 mA
1 mA 1 mA
100 nA 100 nA
10 nA 100 nA
System speeds
Maximum sweep operation reading rates (reading/second) for 50 Hz
Measure speed Measure to
memory
Measure to GPIB Source measure
to memory
Source measure
to GPIB
< 0.001 PLC 20000 12500 12500
0.01 PLC
0.1 PLC 500 500
1 PLC
11 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Environment For use in indoor facilities
Temperature range Operating: 0 °C to +55 °C
Humidity range Operating: 30 % to 80 % RH, non-condensing
Altitude Operating: 0 m to 2000 m
Power supply
Maximum volt-amps: 250 VA
Cooling Forced air. Side intake and rear exhaust.
EMC IEC61326-1/EN61326-1
AS/NZS CISPR 11
Safety IEC61010-1/EN61010-1
CE, cCSAus, C-Tick, KC
Dimensions
Weight
Operation and Functions
Front panel interface
4.3” Color TFT WQVGA (480x272, with LED backlight) provides a graphical user interface
(GUI) with the following features.
– 4-view modes (Single, Dual, Graph, Roll view)
– Easy-to-use key operations
– Easy access to basic and advanced source/measurement capabilities
Single view
Single view provides basic and advanced settings and display capabilities for the selected
channel from the front panel of the instrument. No additional controller or software is
required.
Dual view
Dual view provides the basic settings and display capabilities for both channels 1 and 2.
Up to 6½ digits can be displayed in dual view mode. This mode is available only for the
B2902A/B2912A.
12 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Operation and Functions, continued
Graph view
Graph View displays measurement results on XY graphs (such as I-V and I-t/V-t curves)
on up to 2 channels. This is useful for quick evaluation of device characteristics,
especially those obtained from sweep measurements.
Roll view
Roll view draws I-t or V-t curves similar to the curves drawn by a strip chart recorder.
Up to 1000 acquired data points can be displayed and updated while the measurement
is still in progress. Roll view’s continuous measurement capability is especially useful for
monitoring low frequency phenomena. Roll view is available only for the B2911A/B2912A.
Easy-to-use key operations
– 10-key, assist key and rotary knob for easy operation.
– 10-key enables direct input of alphanumeric values.
– Assist key guides operation on the front panel.
Easy access to source/measurement capabilities
Settings:
– V/I source mode
– Source value
– Limit (compliance) value
– Sweep parameters
– Pulse parameters
– Measure speed
– Range setting
– Trigger setting
Result displays:
– Numeric results fully up to 6½ digits both in Single and Dual view modes
– Characterization in Graph View and Roll View
– Data list
Advanced capabilities:
–
– Trace memory for accumulating measurement (or math) result and collecting their
statistics
File operations (USB memory):
– Save
–
– Measurement/math result
– Limit test result
– Trace data
– Graph screen dump
– Load
–
– List sweep data
13 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Source/measurement capabilities
Sweep measurement
Number of steps: 1 to 2500
Sweep mode: linear, logarithmic (log) or list
Sweep direction: single or double
Type: DC, or pulse
Min programmable value to create list sweep waveform:
Digitizing/sampling measurement
Digitizing/sampling measurement can be performed by appropriate setting of measure
speed and trigger interval.
Min trigger interval (Max speed of measurement):
Data buffers
Data buffers are array of measurement elements. Each elements hold the following values.
– Measured voltage
– Measured current
– Measured resistance
– Time stamp
– Measurement status
– Source setting
Max buffer size: 100000 points / channel
Program and interface capabilities
Programming language
The Keysight B2900A series supports SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable
Instruments).
Default command set:
Supports all of the advanced features of Keysight B2900A series.
Conventional command set:
Supports industry standard conventional SCPI command set for basic compatibility
Program memory
Program memory allows you to store long strings of SCPI command lines once into the
B2900A series’ volatile memory and then recall those strings multiple times while the
program is executing using a single SCPI command. By storing the command strings
in memory, the time that would have been spent sending those same commands over
a communication bus is eliminated. For tests that utilize lots of repeated code (such as
subroutines), program memory can dramatically reduce test times.
Max number of characters of program name:
32, with alphabets, numbers, hyphens and underscores.
Max memory size: 100 kB (2500 lines typical)
14 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Program and interface capabilities, continued
LXI
LAN protocols and adhere to LXI requirements such as a built-in Web control server and
IVI-COM driver.
Ethernet: 10/100Base-T
USB2.0: USB-TMC488 protocol (Rear x 1)
GPIB: IEEE-488.2 compliant
USB 2.0 high-speed mass storage (MSC) class device (Front x 1)
Digital I/O interface
Connector: 25-pin female D.
Input/output pins: 14 open drain I/O bits
Absolute max input voltage: 5.25 V
Absolute min input voltage: –0.25 V
Max logic low input voltage: 0.8 V
Min logic high input voltage: 2.0 V
Max source current: 1 mA, Vout = 0 V
Max sink current: 50 mA, Vout = 5 V
5 V power supply pin: Limited to 500 mA, solid state fuse protected.
Safety interlock pin: One active high pin and one active low pin.
Activation of both pin enables output voltage > 42 V.
Maximum number of simultaneously triggered units (using Digital I/O)1: 8
1. Supplemental characteristic
15 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Power cable
USB cable
Quick Reference (English)
Product Reference CD-ROM (including PDF manuals, Keysight B2900A Quick I/V
Measurement Software and drivers)
Keysight I/O Library Suite
Software and drivers
Keysight B2900A Quick I/V Measurement Software
The Keysight B2900A series includes PC-based Keysight B2900A Quick I/V Measurement
Software. This powerful software makes it easy to quickly setup and perform I/V
measurements and to display the measurement data in a table or graph without the need
to perform any programming. The software allows you to control up to four SMU channels
over a GPIB or LAN connection, or one B2900A series unit via a USB connection.
Operating environment:
Operating system: Windows 7 (64bit/32bit), XP SP3 (32-bit).
Other requirements: Microsoft .NET framework 4.0 or greater, and IO Libraries 16.0
or greater.
Keysight B2900A Graphical Web Interface
The Keysight B2900A Graphical Web Interface is a web browser based instrument
control panel. It enables you to set up and perform a measurement easily and quickly
from a web browser using the Keysight B2900A’s built-in web server. This allows you to
control one Keysight B2900A series unit over a LAN connection.
IVI-C or IVI-COM drivers
Compatible with Windows 7 (64bit/32bit), XP SP2 (32-bit) IO Libraries 16.0 or greater.
Supports Keysight VEE, Microsoft Visual Studio (Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual C#),
National Instruments LabWindows and LabVIEW.
LabVIEW driver (VI)
National Instruments LabVIEW 7.0 or greater. LabView drivers are available at NI.COM.
Furnished Accessories
16 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
Keysight B1500A Semiconductor Device
Analyzer
www.keysight.com/find/B1500A
Keysight B1505A Power Device Analyzer/
Curve Tracer (1500 A/10 kV)
www.keysight.com/find/B1505A
Keysight B2961A/B2962A 6.5 Digit Low
Noise Power Source
www.keysight.com/find/precisionSOURCE
If you need more source capabilities or
lower noise sourcing, the best choice is
Keysight Power Source products.
Model number
Options
Printed manual (User’s Guide)
ABA English
ABJ Japanese
AB0 Traditional Chinese
AB2
Calibration
A6J
Rack mount kit
1CM Rack mount kit
Accessories
Banana to triaxial adapter
Banana - Triax adapter for 2-wire (non Kelvin) connection
Interlock cable for 16442B
BNC trigger adapter
GPIO-BNC trigger adapter
Test ixture
For details of differences, refer to the comparison table in the page 2.
Ordering Information
17 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
This information is subject to change without notice.
© Keysight Technologies, 2013 - 2014
Published in USA, August 3, 2014
5990-7009EN
www.keysight.com
18 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit – Data Sheet
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LAN eXtensions for Instruments puts the power of Ethernet and the
Web inside your test systems. Keysight is a founding member of the LXI
consortium.
Three-Year Warranty
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Keysight’s commitment to superior product quality and lower total cost
of ownership. The only test and measurement company with three-year
warranty standard on all instruments, worldwide.
Keysight Assurance Plans
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Up to five years of protection and no budgetary surprises to ensure your
instruments are operating to specification so you can rely on accurate
measurements.
www.keysight.com/go/quality
Keysight Technologies, Inc.
DEKRA Certified ISO 9001:2008
Quality Management System
Keysight Channel Partners
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Get the best of both worlds: Keysight’s measurement expertise and product
breadth, combined with channel partner convenience.
www.keysight.com/find/b2900a
For more information on Keysight
Technologies’ products, applications or
services, please contact your local Keysight
office. The complete list is available at:
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