Double pulse test with the Tektronix AFG31000 generator

Tektronix offers a double pulse test software for its AFG31000 generator

  • Tektronix launches a new software plug-in for its arbitrary function generator AFG31000.
  • With this software tool, double pulse tests to measure and evaluate the switching parameters of SiC and GaN power supply devices can now be performed in less than one minute according to the American manufacturer.

 
With this dual pulse test software, it is possible to define the pulse parameters from a single window on the AFG31000 generator touch screen and then generate the pulses required to perform the tests. According to Tektronix, the procedure takes less than a minute. The application allows you to adjust the impedance of the pulse width and the time interval between each pulse, up to 30 pulses. The pulse width can be adjusted between 20 ns and 150 µs.

In particular, double pulse tests are used to measure and evaluate the switching parameters and dynamic behaviour of electrical devices, including those made from broadband materials such as “Silicon Carbide (SiC) or Gallium Nitride (GaN).

To perform a double pulse test, it is necessary to precisely generate at least two voltage pulses with variable pulse widths and synchronization to trigger a MOSFET or IGBT power supply device. Measurements are made with an oscilloscope such as the Tektronix MSO Series 5. However, the generation of these pulses is delicate with the available test equipment, which requires the manual creation of waveforms using PCs or microcontrollers. This approach is time-consuming and prone to errors.

Launched last year, the AFG31000 is an arbitrary function generator with a 9-inch touch screen, a new user interface, the patented technology function InstaView™ that automatically detects and compensates for impedance asymmetries, programmable sequencing and a new ArbBuilder tool to create and edit arbitrary waveforms.

The AFG31000 series generators are available with 1 or 2 channels for signal generation with 14-bit vertical resolution at a sampling rate of 250 MS/s, 1 GS/s or 2 GS/s. They are available from 2130€ ($2,210 US).
 
>> Access the Temcom’s presentation of AFG31000 generator