Keysight E4981A User Manual

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

User Manual

Notices

2008 - 2019

No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means (including electronic storage and retrieval or translation into a foreign language) without prior agreement and written consent from Keysight Technologies, Inc. as governed by United States and international copyright laws.

Manual Part Number

E4981-90000

Edition

Edition 3,September 26, 2019

Printed in Malaysia

Published by:

Keysight Technologies International Japan G.K,

1-3-3 Higashikawasaki-cho Chuo-ku Kobe-shi, Hyogo, Japan

Warranty

THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” AND IS SUBJECT TO BEING CHANGED, WITHOUT NOTICE, IN FUTURE EDITIONS. FURTHER, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, KEYSIGHT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL AND ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. KEYSIGHT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ERRORS OR FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE FURNISHING, USE, OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT OR ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. SHOULD KEYSIGHT AND THE USER HAVE A SEPARATE WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH WARRANTY TERMS COVERING THE MATERIAL IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT CONFLICT WITH THESE TERMS, THE WARRANTY TERMS IN THE SEPA-

RATE AGREEMENT WILL CONTROL.

Technology Licenses

The hardware and/or software described in this document are furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.

Declaration of Conformity

Declarations of Conformity for this product and for other Keysight products may be downloaded from the Web. Go to http://www.key-

sight.com/go/conformity. You can

then search by product number to find the latest Declaration of Conformity.

U.S. Government Rights

The Software is “commercial computer software,” as defined by Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”)

2.101. Pursuant to FAR 12.212 and

27.405-3 and Department of Defense FAR Supplement (“DFARS”)

227.7202, the U.S. government acquires commercial computer software under the same terms by which the software is customarily provided to the public. Accordingly, Keysight provides the Software to U.S. government customers under its standard commercial license, which is embodied in its End User License Agreement (EULA), a copy of which can be found at http://www.key-

sight.com/find/sweula

set forth in the EULA represents the exclusive authority by which the U.S. government may use, modify, distribute, or disclose the Software. The EULA and the license set forth therein, does not require or permit, among other things, that Keysight: (1) Furnish technical information related to commercial computer software or commercial computer software documentation that is not customarily provided to the public; or (2) Relinquish to, or otherwise provide, the government rights in excess of these rights customarily provided to the public to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose commercial computer software or commercial computer software documentation. No additional government requirements beyond those set forth in the EULA shall

. The license

apply, except to the extent that those terms, rights, or licenses are explicitly required from all providers of commercial computer software pursuant to the FAR and the DFARS and are set forth specifically in writing elsewhere in the EULA. Keysight shall be under no obligation to update, revise or otherwise modify the Software. With respect to any technical data as defined by FAR

2.101, pursuant to FAR 12.211 and

27.404.2 and DFARS 227.7102, the U.S. government acquires no greater than Limited Rights as defined in FAR

27.401 or DFAR 227.7103-5 (c), as applicable in any technical data.

Safety Notices

A CAUTION notice denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating procedure, practice, or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to the product or loss of important data. Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION notice until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

A WARNING notice denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating procedure, practice, or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in personal injury or death. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING notice until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

Table of Contents

1. Unpacking and Preparation

Contents of this Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Checking the Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Environmental Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Operating environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Ventilation requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Ensuring adequate free space around the capacitance meter for immediate

disconnection of the power cable in case of emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

How to Remove the Handle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Caution when using the handle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Preparations Before Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Verifying the power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Setting up the fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Verifying and connecting the power cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Starting the E4981A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Turning the power ON and OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Disconnecting from the supply source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

2. Overview

Product Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Front Panel: Names and Functions of Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

1. Power switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

2. LCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

3. Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

4. Menu keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

5. Cursor keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

6. Entry keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

7. Preset key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

8. Trigger key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

9. UNKNOWN terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

10. Front USB port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

11. Ground terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

12. Synchronous clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Rear Panel: Names and Functions of Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

1. Handler interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

2. USB (USBTMC) interface port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

3. LAN port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

4. External trigger input connector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 3

5. Serial number plate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

6. Power cable receptacle (to LINE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

7. Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

8. Scanner interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

9. GPIB interface connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Screen Area: Names and Functions of Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

1. Display page area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

2. Comment line area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

3. Softkey area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

4. Measurement data/Conditions area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

5. Input line area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

6. System message area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

7. Status display area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

How to use cursor keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

How to use skip keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

3. Getting Started

Key Operation Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

A single key press completes the operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

A menu (for item selection) appears on the screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

A value entry screen appears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Learning Basic Measurement Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Connecting test fixture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Setting up basic measurement conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Executing measurement to compensate errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Connecting the DUT (capacitor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

4. Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display

Selecting Measurement Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Inputting Comment Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

To enter a comment into the comment line: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Setting Up Measurement Signals (Frequency And Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Setting up frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Setting up level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Setting up signal level compensation (SLC) function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Selecting Measurement Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Setting measurement range to be automatically selected (auto ranging) . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Selecting Measurement Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Selecting Cable Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

4 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Setting Up Averaging Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Functional description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Setting Up Trigger Delay Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Outputting the Measurement Signal Only During the Measurement to Protect the

Contact Pin (Synchronous Source Function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Setting Up Frequency Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Setting Up Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Turning ON/OFF display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Using fixed point display for measurement result . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Displaying measurement result in deviation from reference value (deviation

measurement mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Setting up Contact Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Setting Up Condition To Make A Beep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Turning On/Off the Beep Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Functional description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Changing the Beep Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Functional description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Configuring the Time Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Functional description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Configuring the System Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Functional description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Configuring the GPIB Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Functional description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

To configure the GPIB address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Configuring the LAN IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Functional description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

To automatically obtain the IP address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

To manually configure the IP address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Checking the LAN connection status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

To reconnect to the network: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Overview of save/recall functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Saving/Recalling instrument configuration states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Medium mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 5

Choosing a register number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Memory status information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Comment information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Saving/Recalling instrument configuration states into/from the internal memory. . . . . .82

Saving/Recalling instrument configuration states into/from USB memory . . . . . . . . . . .83

Using the auto recall feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Saving measurement results into USB memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Saving a screenshot into USB memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

5. Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction)

Overview of Correction Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

OPEN/SHORT/LOAD/OFFSET correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Cable correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Turning ON/OFF Correction Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Turning on OPEN correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Turning on SHORT correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Turning on LOAD correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Turning on OFFSET correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Obtaining Correction Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Obtaining (measuring) data for OPEN correction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Obtaining (measuring) data for SHORT correction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

Obtaining (measuring) data for LOAD correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

Selecting single/multiple correction mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Setting up data for OFFSET correction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

Checking Displaying/Setting Up Correction Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Checking displaying/setting up data for OPEN correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Checking displaying/setting up data for SHORT correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Checking displaying/setting up data for LOAD correction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

Avoiding Mistakes Related to Work in Obtaining Correction Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Using warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Obtaining Cable Correction Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

Description of softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

6. Executing Measurement

Starting (Triggering) Measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

Setting the trigger mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Perform successive measurements automatically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Specifying measurement timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Notes on inputting a trigger signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Tips for More Accurate Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Setting measurement time to 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Selecting an appropriate measurement range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

6 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Using the correction functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Making stable measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Making measurements using a four-terminal pair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Using frequency shift. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Tips for Increasing Measurement Speed (Throughput) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Setting measurement time to 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Setting measurement range mode to the fixed range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Turning OFF display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Decreasing averaging count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Setting the trigger delay time to 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Reducing the waiting time for analog measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

Turning off the status register update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

7. Sorting Based on Measured Results (Comparator Function)

Overview of Comparator Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

Turning ON/OFF Comparator Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Setting Up Sorting Judgment Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Clearing (resetting) limit ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Selecting a limit range designation method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Setting up limit ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Setting up AUX function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Rejecting Excessively Low Measured Results (Low C reject function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

Turning ON/OFF Low C reject function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

Setting up limit (boundary value) of Low C reject function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Reading out Sorting Judgment Result . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Reading out Sort Count of Each BIN (BIN count function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Setup procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Making a Beep Based on Sorting Judgment Result. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

8. Using Handler Interface

Output of Comparator Sorting Result. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Input/Output Signal Pin Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Timing Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Electrical Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Output signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Input signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Control/Check the Handler Interface for Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Starting Handler interface test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Using Handler interface test commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Ending Handler interface test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 7

9. Using Scanner Interface

Using Multi-correction Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

Turning ON/OFF multi-correction function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

Selecting a channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Measuring multi-correction data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Input/Output Signal Pin Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Timing Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Electrical Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Output signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Input signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

Power source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Control/Check the Scanner Interface for Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Starting Scanner interface test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Using Scanner interface test commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Ending Scanner interface test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166

10. Specifications and Supplemental Information

Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167

Option dependencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167

Basic Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

Measurement parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

Measurement signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Measurement cable lengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Measurement time selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Measurement range selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Measurement range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Averaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Trigger mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Trigger delay time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Measurement display ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Available measurement ranges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Measurement accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173

Supplemental Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

Measurement time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

Measurement assistance functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191

General Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Power source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Operating environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Storage environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Outer dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

8 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

EMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

LXI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Sample Calculation of Measurement Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

When measurement parameter is Cp-D (or Cs-D). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

When measurement parameter is Cp-Q (or Cs-Q). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

When measurement parameter is Cp-G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

When measurement parameter is Cp-Rp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

When measurement parameter is Cs-Rs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

11. Precautions for Use and Daily Checks

Precautions for Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

Avoiding improper input from the front panel (key lock function) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

Daily Checks (Executing the Self-test) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206

Self-test at power on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206

Executing the self-test from the front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206

Cleaning this Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Unknown terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Cleaning parts other than unknown terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Cautions Applicable to Requesting Repair, Replacement, Regular Calibration, Etc. . . . . . .209

Caution when sending the unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209

Recommended calibration period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209

12. Troubleshooting

Check Items When Trouble Occurs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

The instrument does not start up (nothing is displayed).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

The system starts up, but the normal measurement screen does not appear

(Service Mode). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

An overload message (OVLD) is displayed (when nothing is connected to the

UNKNOWN terminal). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Beeping persists when turning ON the comparator function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

The front panel keys are unavailable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

The measured value is abnormal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Saving to USB memory fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

An error message or warning message is displayed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Check Items When Trouble Occurs During Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

The instrument does not respond to the external controller or malfunctions. . . . . . . . .213

You cannot read out the measured value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

An error message is displayed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

A.Manual Changes

Manual Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 9

B.Information for Replacing 4268A, 4288A with E4981A

Functional Comparison between 4268A, 4288A, and E4981A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218

C.Initial Settings

Initial Settings, Settings That Can Be Saved/recalled, Settings That Can Be Backed Up . .227

D.Error Messages

Error Messages (Alphabetical Order) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

1 - 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235

F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235

G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235

H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235

I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238

P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238

Q. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238

R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239

S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239

T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240

U. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240

Warning Messages (WARNING) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

E.Technical Information

Measurement Principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243

Basic Principles of Capacitance Measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Typical characteristics of capacitance DUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Selection criteria of parallel/series equivalent circuit models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247

Principle of four-terminal pair measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248

Precautions for four-terminal pair measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249

10 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter User Manual

1 Unpacking and Preparation

This chapter describes how to set up and start the Keysight E4981A Capacitance Meter.

Contents of this Chapter

• “Checking the Shipment” on page 12

After you receive the E4981A, check all the items in the packing container.

• “Environmental Requirements” on page 13

Describes the system requirements needed to install the E4981A and how to secure space for heat radiation.

• “How to Remove the Handle” on page 16

Shows how to attach and remove the handle.

• “Preparations Before Use” on page 18

Shows how to check the power supply as well as check and connect the power cable. This section also describes how to deal with a blown fuse.

• “Starting the E4981A” on page 20

Describes how to turn on/off the power switch and cut off the power supply.

Unpacking and Preparation Checking the Shipment

Checking the Shipment

After you receive the E4981A, carry out checks during unpacking according to the following procedure.

If the external face of the Capacitance meter (such as the cover, front/rear panel, LCD screen, power switch, and port connectors) appears to have been damaged during transport, do not turn on the power switch. Otherwise, you may get an electrical shock.

Step 1. Check that the packing box or shock-absorbing material used to package the

Capacitance meter has not been damaged.

If the packing box or shock-absorbing material has been damaged, leave the packing box and shock-absorbing material as is until other inspection items are checked as follows.

Step 2. Check the packaged items supplied with the Capacitance meter for any

damage or defects.

Step 3. By referring to the packing list, check that all packaged items supplied with the

Capacitance meter have been provided as per the specified options.

Step 4. After checking, if one of the following applies, contact your nearest Keysight

Technologies sales and service office.

• The packing box or shock-absorbing material used to package the Capacitance meter has been damaged or the shock-absorbing material displays traces of where extreme pressure has been applied.

• A packaged item supplied with the Capacitance meter has mechanical damage or defects.

• A packaged item supplied with the Capacitance meter is missing.

• A fault has been detected in the subsequent operation check of the Capacitance meter.

If an abnormality is detected in Step 1, contact the company that transported the Capacitance meter as well as your nearest Keysight Technologies sales and service office. For inspection by the transport company, save the packing box, shock-absorbing material, and packaged items as you received them.

12 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Unpacking and Preparation Environmental Requirements

Environmental Requirements

Set up the E4981A where the following environmental requirements are satisfied.

Operating environment

Ensure that the operating environment meets the following requirements.

Table 1-1 Operating environment requirements

Temperature 0 °C to 45 °C

Temperature range at calibration

Humidity (~40 °C, no condensation)

Altitude 0 to 2,000 m (0 to 6,561 feet)

Vibration Max. 0.5 G, 5 Hz to 500 Hz

The environmental requirements listed above are NOT for the specifications and measurement accuracy of the E4981A, but for its operating environment.

Ventilation requirements

To ensure that the safety requirements, the specifications, and the measurement accuracy of the Capacitance meter are met, you must maintain the environmental temperature to within the specified range by providing an appropriate cooling clearance around the Capacitance meter or, for the rack-mounted type, by forcefully air-cooling inside the rack housing. For more information on environmental temperatures that satisfy the specifications and measurement accuracy of the Capacitance meter, see Chapter 10, “Specifications

and Supplemental Information,” on page 167.

23 °C ± 5 °C (|1 °C deviation from the temperature when performing calibration)

15% to 85% RH

The Capacitance meter conforms to the requirements of the safety standard.When the environmental temperature around the Capacitance meter is kept within the temperature range of the operating environment specifications (“Operating environment” on page 13).

The Capacitance meter still conforms to the requirements of the safety standard it is installed with the following cooling clearance:

Requirements

Back 180 mm

Sides 60 mm (both right and left)

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 13

Unpacking and Preparation Environmental Requirements

Figure 1-1 Ventilation space at installation

Protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD)

Figure 1-2 shows the setup for a static-safe work station to protect the

electronic components from damage by electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Figure 1-2 Example of a static-free work station

14 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Unpacking and Preparation Environmental Requirements

Ensuring adequate free space around the capacitance meter for immediate disconnection of the power cable in case of emergency

As described in “Disconnecting from the supply source” on page 21, the plug attached to the power cable serves as the disconnecting device (device that cuts off the power supply) for the E4981A. When installing the E4981A, ensure that there is sufficient free space around the unit to permit quick disconnection of the plug (from the AC outlet or the E4981A unit) in case of emergency.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 15

䐟

䐠

䐡

Unpacking and Preparation How to Remove the Handle

How to Remove the Handle

A handle kit is attached to the E4981A Option 600. When using the E4981A with the rack-mount kit, remove the handle according to the following steps.

Figure 1-3 How to remove the handle

e4981aue0021

Step 1. Lift the handle perpendicular to the unit while pulling it in the direction of 1.

Step 2. While pulling the handle in the direction of 1, lift towards 2.

Install the handle with 3 facing toward the front. Installing the handle the other way around may damage it.

16 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Unpacking and Preparation How to Remove the Handle

Caution when using the handle

Follow the instructions below when using the E4981A’s handle, otherwise you may get your fingers caught in the handle or the E4981A may fall and be damaged

• When the handle is set up as shown in Figure 1-4, do not put any additional weight onto the E4981A or lift it suddenly.

• Do not touch the handle while the DUT is attached.

Figure 1-4 The handle in the set-up position

e4981aue0022

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 17

e4981aue0020

㪝㫌㫊㪼㩷㪿㫆㫃㪻㪼㫉

㪧㫆㫎㪼㫉㩷㪚㪸㪹㫃㪼㩷㪠㫅㫃㪼㫋

Unpacking and Preparation Preparations Before Use

Preparations Before Use

Verifying the power supply

Confirm that the power supplied to the E4981A meets the following requirements:

Table 1-2 Power supply requirements

Requirements

Voltage 90 to 264 Vac

Frequency 47 to 63 Hz

Maximum power consumption 150 VA

Setting up the fuse

Please use the following fuse type.

UL/CSA type, Slo-Blo, 5×20-mm miniature fuse, 3 A, 250 V (Keysight part number 2110-1017)

When you need a fuse, contact your nearest Keysight Technologies sales and service office. To verify and replace the fuse, remove the power cable and pull out the fuse holder.

Figure 1-5 Fuse holder and power cable receptacle

18 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Unpacking and Preparation Preparations Before Use

Verifying and connecting the power cable

The three-wire power cable attached to the E4981A has one wire serving as a ground. Using this power cable allows the E4981A to be grounded, thereby protecting you against electrical shock from the power outlet.

Step 1. Confirm that the power cable is not damaged.

Never use a power cable showing any sign of damage. Faulty cables can cause electric shock.

Step 2. Use the supplied cable to connect the power cable receptacle on the real panel

of the E4981A to a three-wire power outlet with the grounding prong firmly held in the ground slot.

Use the supplied three-wire power cable with a grounding wire to securely ground the E4981A.

A 3p-2p conversion adapter is not supplied with the Capacitance meter. When you need a 3p-2p conversion adapter, contact your nearest Keysight Technologies sales and service office listed in the back of this manual.

Power cord list, 16000-99101 shows the power cable options.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 19

Unpacking and Preparation Starting the E4981A

Starting the E4981A

This section describes how to turn on/off the E4981A power and how to cut off the power supply in an emergency.

Turning the power ON and OFF

Turning the power ON

The ON and OFF status of the power switch is confirmed by the color of the

switch.

Table 1-3 Power switch status indicator

Color of the light Status of the power

Orange Power off

Yellow-green Power on

Light off Power off (The power supply is cut off)

Step 1. Confirm that the power switch light in the lower-left part of the front panel

is lit in orange. If the light is off, the power supply may also be off.

Step 2. Press the power switch. When the light of the power switch turns yellow-green,

the power is turned ON and the E4981A starts the self-test.

The self-test takes approx. 30 seconds.

Step 3. Confirm that the self-test indicates normal operation.

Normal operation is confirmed by the self-test if no error message appears.

Turning the power OFF

Follow the method below to turn the power OFF.

Step 1. Press the power switch in the lower-left part of the front panel.

Do not turn the power OFF while saving into or recalling from the internal memory of the E4981A or the USB memory. Doing so may clear the contents from the memory.

20 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Unpacking and Preparation Starting the E4981A

Disconnecting from the supply source

The plug attached to the power cable (on the power outlet side or device side of the cable) serves as the disconnecting device (device that cuts off the power supply) of the E4981A. When the power supply must be cut off to avoid such danger as electric shock, pull out the power cable’s plug (on the power outlet side or device side of the cable).

To allow this operation to be performed smoothly, be sure to follow the guidelines in “Ensuring adequate free space around the capacitance meter

for immediate disconnection of the power cable in case of emergency” on page 15.

When turning the power OFF under normal circumstances, always follow the methods described in “Turning the power OFF” on page 20.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 21

Unpacking and Preparation Starting the E4981A

22 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter User Manual

2 Overview

This chapter provides the basic procedures for operating the E4981A and describes names and functions of the front panel, rear panel, and screen display.

Product Introduction

The Keysight E4981A is a capacitance meter for ceramic capacitor production tests. The E4981A is used for evaluating ceramic capacitance at frequencies 120 Hz, 1 kHz to 1 MHz and test signal levels (0.1 mV to 1 V).

The E4981A offers C-D measurement with a basic accuracy of ±0.07% (C), ±0.0005 (D) at all frequencies with seven-digit resolution (the dissipation factor

–6

resolution is 1×10

With its built-in comparator, the E4981A can output comparison/decision results for sorting components into a maximum of ten bins. Furthermore, by using the handler interface and scanner interface, the E4981A can be easily combined with a component handler, a scanner, and a system controller to fully automate component testing, sorting, and quality-control data processing.

The GPIB/LAN/USB interfaces are standard on the E4981A and enable automatic testing.

) in every range.

Overview Front Panel: Names and Functions of Parts

Front Panel: Names and Functions of Parts

This section describes the names and functions of the parts on the E4981A’s front panel. For more details on the functions displayed on the LCD screen, see

“Screen Area: Names and Functions of Parts” on page 30.

Figure 2-1 Front panel

1. Power switch

Used for choosing between power-on and -off states of the E4981A. When turned on, the switch lights up in yellow-green and all operating voltages are applied to the instrument. When turned off, the switch lights up in orange and no operating voltages are applied to the instrument.

2. LCD

The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) displays measurement results, test conditions, etc.

Occasionally there are missing pixels or constantly lit pixels, but this is not a malfunction and does not affect the performance of your product.

3. Softkeys

Five softkeys are used to select measurement conditions and parameter functions. Each softkey has a softkey label along its left side.

24 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Overview Front Panel: Names and Functions of Parts

4. Menu keys

Menu selection keys are used to access the corresponding selection of instrument controls.

Table 2-1 Menu keys description

[Display Format] key Displays measurement results and selections.

[Meas Setup] key Sets measurement conditions, a correction function,

[Recall A] key Recalls the setting information on internal memory 0.

[Recall B] key Recalls the setting information on internal memory 1.

[Save/Recall] key Saves and recalls the setting information. Saves

[System] key Sets the system. Sets the GPIB/LAN/USB interface.

contact check function, and limit values for BIN sorting.

measurement results and screen images.

Performs a self-test.

[Local/Lock] key Locks and unlocks hard keys and softkeys on the front

5. Cursor keys

Keys used to move the field select cursor from field to field on a displayed page. When the cursor is moved to a certain field, that field changes to an inverse video image of the original field. The cursor can only be moved from field to field.

For the skip key, refer to the “How to use skip keys” on page 33.

6. Entry keys

Keys used to enter numeric data into the E4981A. The entry keys comprise the digits 0 to 9, a period (.), and a plus/minus (+/–) sign. Entered values are displayed on the input line (second line from the bottom of the LCD screen), and pressing the softkey terminates numeric input. The plus/minus key deletes the last character of the input value.

7. Preset key

A key used to return the Capacitance meter to the initial setup state. There are three methods for initialization. For details, refer to “Initializing the Instrument”

on page 39.

panel.

8. Trigger key

A key used to manually trigger the E4981A when it is set to the manual trigger mode.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 25

Overview Front Panel: Names and Functions of Parts

9. UNKNOWN terminals

These are the UNKNOWN terminals used to connect a four-terminal pair test fixture or test leads for measuring the device under test (DUT).

When using a four-terminal pair test fixture or test leads with a stopper, remove the stopper or the bumper of the E4981A.

Do not apply DC voltage or current to the UNKNOWN terminals. Applying DC voltage or current may lead to device failure. Connect the measurement sample (DUT) to the test port (or the test fixture, cables, etc. connected to the test port) after the Capacitance meter has been completely discharged.

The maximum load the UNKNOWN terminals can withstand is 10 kg (nominal).

The test ports comply with Installation Category I of IEC 61010-1.

10. Front USB port

This port is used to save data in a USB memory.

Connector types: Universal Serial Bus (USB) Jack, Type A (four contact points), Female.

Compliance Standards: USB 1.1

Do not connect any device other than a USB memory to the USB port. We do not support connections to the USB port of printers, devices with a built-in HDD, or USB hubs. To print a screen, refer to “Saving a screenshot

into USB memory” on page 89.

Do not unplug the USB memory while the USB indicator is on.

USB memory type

Use USB memory that is USB mass-storage-class compliant and formatted with FAT16 or FAT32. For points to notice, refer to “USB memory notes” on

page 78.

Interface: USB 1.1

11. Ground terminal

Connected to the chassis of the E4981A.

26 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Overview Rear Panel: Names and Functions of Parts

12. Synchronous clock

The internal clock signal is outputted.

Rear Panel: Names and Functions of Parts

This section describes the names and functions of the parts on the E4981A’s rear panel.

Figure 2-2 Rear panel

1. Handler interface

This interface is for data exchange with an automatic machine (handler) used on a production line.

Connector type: 36-pin Centronics

2. USB (USBTMC) interface port

Through this port, you can control the E4981A via external controllers.

Connector Types: Universal Serial Bus (USB) jack, type mini-B (five contact points), Female Compliance Standards: USBTMC-USB488 and USB2.0

The USB port of the E4981A provides (screw holes) to secure the USB cable with a custom make bracket. The figure describes the dimension required for the custom bracket. The distance between the surfaces of the rear panel and USB connector is 2 mm. The length of the screw should be less than 10 mm.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 27

Overview Rear Panel: Names and Functions of Parts

3. LAN port

The port to connect the E4981A to a LAN (Local Area Network). Connecting this instrument to a LAN enables you to control this instrument by using SICL-LAN or telnet, or from an external PC via a Web server.

This is compliant with LXI standard (LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation): version 1.2 Class C.

Connector type: 8-pin RJ-45 connector Compliance Standard: 10 Base-T/100 Base-TX Ethernet (automatic data rate selection)

4. External trigger input connector

The BNC connector to input the positive/negative TTL pulse to trigger the E4981A with external trigger signals.(The trigger mode must be set to EXTernal.)

5. Serial number plate

The seal showing the product’s serial number.

28 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Overview Rear Panel: Names and Functions of Parts

6. Power cable receptacle (to LINE)

The receptacle (outlet) to which the power cable is connected.

To connect the device to a power source (outlet), use the supplied three-prong power cable with a ground conductor.

The plug attached to the power cable (on the power outlet side or device side of the cable) serves as the E4981A’s disconnecting device (device that cuts off the power supply). When the power supply must be cut off to avoid such danger as electric shock, pull out the power cable plug (on the power outlet side or device side of the cable). For the procedure for turning off the power in normal use, see the description in “1. Power switch” on page 24.

For more on the power supply, see “Verifying the power supply” on page 18.

7. Fan

The cooling fan for controlling the temperature inside the E4981A. This fan extracts heated air from inside the Capacitance meter.

8. Scanner interface

The interface to connect a scanner to perform up to 256 sets of multi-channel corrections and measurements.

Connector type: 14-pin Amphenol

9. GPIB interface connector

General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB). The connection of an external controller and other devices through this connector allows you to configure an automatic measurement system.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 29

Overview Screen Area: Names and Functions of Parts

Screen Area: Names and Functions of Parts

This section describes the names and functions of parts on the E4981A’s LCD screen.

Figure 2-3 Screen display

1. Display page area

Shows a display page name of the current display page.

2. Comment line area

You can input up to 30 characters in ASCII format by using the front panel or the DISPlay:LINE command of the SCPI command. The first 22 characters are displayed in this area.

Comment line is displayed on MEAS DISPLAY, BIN No. DISPLAY, BIN COUNT DISPLAY and MEAS SETUP display page.

For the input method in the comment line, refer to “Inputting Comment Line”

on page 53.

30 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Overview Screen Area: Names and Functions of Parts

3. Softkey area

Displays softkey labels corresponding to the field.

A displayed to the right of a softkey indicates that pressing that softkey will display the softkey label one level lower.

Pressing the Return key when the lower level softkey label is displayed will display the softkey label one level higher. In this case, a is displayed on the label to the left of the Return key.

Figure 2-4 Softkey area

4. Measurement data/Conditions area

Displays measurement conditions and measurement results.

5. Input line area

Displays numeric values entered with the entry key.

6. System message area

Displays a system message, warning, and an error message.

7. Status display area

When the front panel key is locked, “LOCK” is displayed in this area. When sending SCPI commands from an external controller, “RMT” is displayed and the front panel keys are locked. When E4981A accesses the USB memory, “USB” is displayed in this area.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 31

Overview Basic Operation

Basic Operation

The E4981A’s basic operations are described below:

1. Display the desired page using both the MENU keys and softkeys.

2. Move the cursor to the desired field using the cursor keys. When the cursor is moved to a certain field, the field changes to an inverse video image of the original. The cursor can be moved from field to field (right and left or up and down).

3. The softkey labels corresponding to the field indicated by the cursor are displayed automatically. Press the desired softkey.

Use the entry keys to input numeric data. When one of the entry keys is pressed, the softkeys will change to the available unit softkeys. Pressing these unit softkeys terminates numeric input.

The unit changes according to the field selected.

How to use cursor keys

Move the cursor to the desired field using the cursor keys as shown in Figure

2-5.

Figure 2-5 Cursor keys and a field operation example

32 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Overview Basic Operation

How to use skip keys

The following describes how to use a skip key.

On a display page, three lines are collected together as one. By using a skip key, you can select the desired field quickly as the selected field moves from area to area.

Figure 2-6 Skip key and a field operation example

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 33

Overview Basic Operation

34 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter User Manual

3 Getting Started

This chapter describes the basic operations of the Keysight E4981A. “Key

Operation Basics” on page 35 explains how to use the basic key operations. “Learning Basic Measurement Procedure” on page 38 describes how to take

basic measurements of capacitors (capacitance) with the E4981A.

Key Operation Basics

Three types of operations can take place when you press a front panel key of the E4981A:

•A single key press completes the operation.

• A menu (for item selection) appears on the screen.

• A value entry screen appears.

The basic operation for each case is described below:

A single key press completes the operation

Single-key operation turns ON/OFF the function or changes the setup. Specifically, each key press turns the setup ON/OFF. Two examples are given below:

•Pressing the [Recall A] key recalls configuration states from register 0.

•Pressing the [Local/Lock] key locks and unlocks hard keys and softkeys on the front panel.

A menu (for item selection) appears on the screen

In this case, pressing a key changes the display of softkey area for selecting items. Use the cursor keys or menu keys to change the selection. When the desired item is selected, press the softkey to confirm the selection. An example is given below.

Step 1. Press the [Meas Setup] key.

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the TRIG field.

Step 3. Press the MAN softkey to set the trigger type to manual.

Getting Started Key Operation Basics

A value entry screen appears

In this case, pressing a key changes the screen display from the measurement screen to the value entry screen. Use the following keys to enter a value:

•Entry ([0], [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [.] (decimal point), and [+/ (plus/minus)) keys

•Softkeys

How to use each key is described below.

Entry keys

Keys used to enter a value. The [+/- <-] key deletes the last character of the input value.

Softkeys

Use this key to terminate the input.

You can enter values by using only the entry keys and the softkeys. However, depending on the instrument setup state when you try to enter a value, some of these keys may be unavailable.

Example of operation used to enter a value

To learn how to enter a value, follow the steps below to change the measurement range setup the measurement range of 220 pF (when the measurement frequency is 1 kHz) in the following two ways:

−]

• entry using the numeric keys and softkey, and

• entry using only the softkeys.

Each procedure is described below.

Step 1. Press the [Meas Setup] key.

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the RANGE field, as shown in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1 Measurement setup screen

36 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Getting Started Key Operation Basics

Step 3. Enter 220 pF.

Entry using the numeric entry keys and softkeys:

When data is entered with the numeric entry keys, the softkeys change to units labels (pF, nF, mF, mF, F).

Press the [2] key, [2] key, and [0] key. Then, press the pF softkey.

Entry using only the softkeys:

Softkey Description

INCR+ Increments the measurement range in the HOLD mode.

DECR- Decrements the measurement range in the HOLD mode.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 37

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

This section describes the procedure used to measure a capacitor with the test fixture. This description is intended to help you learn the basic measurement procedure of the E4981A.

Connecting test fixture

To avoid failure, do not apply DC voltage or current to the UNKNOWN terminal. Special care must be taken for capacitors because they may be charged. Fully discharge DUTs before connecting them to the UNKNOWN terminal (or the test fixture).

It is difficult to connect the DUT (capacitor) directly to the E4981A. Therefore, a test fixture is generally used to connect the DUT to the E4981A. Use the test fixture that is suitable for the shape of the DUT. Figure 3-2 shows an example of making a connection by using the 16034G, which is suitable for measuring chip capacitors.

Figure 3-2 Connecting test fixture (16034G)

38 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Setting up basic measurement conditions

This section describes how to set up basic measurement conditions for capacitor measurement. For an actual measurement (for example, measurement that provides better accuracy or measurement based on measurement time), you need to set up measurement conditions that are appropriate to the task, not necessarily those described here.

Initializing the Instrument

This section describes how to return the settings of the E4981A to their preset values.

Step 1. Press the [Preset] key.

Step 2. Use the softkeys to select one of the following four default states:

Table 3-1 Four default states of E4981A and how it is initialized

Default state How the instrument is initialized

CLEAR SETTING When you initialize the instrument into this state, all

basic parameters configurable through the front panel and SCPI commands are cleared. (You get the same result by issuing the :SYST:PRES command).

CLEAR SET&CORR When you initialize the instrument into this state,

calibration data listed in the initial setting list are all

cleared.

(You can get the same result by issuing the

*RST command).

FACTORY DEFAULT When you initialize the instrument into this state, it

reverts to factory default settings with all user-configurable data cleared.

LAN RESET When you initialize the instrument into this state, the

LAN setting is returned to the factory default state.

1. It takes a few seconds for the initialization to complete.

For more information on each default state and affected settings, see

Appendix C , “Initial Settings,” on page 227.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 39

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Setting up measurement parameters

Set up the primary parameter and secondary parameter you want to measure. The E4981A allows you to select the parameters from the following combinations.

Primary parameter Secondary parameter

Cp D, Q, G, Rp

Cs D, Q, Rs

Each parameter is described below.

Cp: Capacitance value when considering equivalent parallel

resistance

Cs: Capacitance value when considering equivalent series

resistance

D: Dissipation factor

Q: Quality factor (inverse of D)

G: Equivalent parallel conductance

Rp: Equivalent parallel resistance

Rs: Equivalent series resistance

The procedure to set up the measurement parameters is described below.

Step 1. Press the [Display format] key.

Step 2. Press the MEAS DISPLAY softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor key to select the FUNC field (as shown in Figure 3-3).

Step 4. Press the Cp or Cs softkey to select the primary parameter.

Figure 3-3 Primary parameter selection menu screen

Step 5. Press the softkey to select the secondary parameter (as shown in Figure 3-4).

40 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Figure 3-4 Secondary parameter selection menu screen

Setting up measurement signal frequency

Set up the frequency of the signal applied to the DUT (capacitor) during measurement.

Step 1. Press the [Display Format] key.

Step 2. Press the MEAS DISPLAY softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor key to select the FREQ field.

Step 4. Use the softkeys or entry keys to enter the frequency. When data is entered

with the numeric entry keys, the softkeys change to unit labels (Hz, kHz, MHz) for Option 001 and (Hz, kHz) for Option 002.

Figure 3-5 Measurement signal frequency selection menu screen

In Option 002, 1 MHz frequency is not available.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 41

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Setting up measurement signal level

Set up the voltage level of the signal applied to the DUT (capacitor) during measurement.

Step 1. Press the [Display Format] key.

Step 2. Press the MEAS DISPLAY softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor key to select the LEVEL field.

Step 4. Use the softkeys or entry keys to enter the test signal level. When data is

entered with the entry keys, the softkeys change to units labels (mV, V).

Softkey Description

INCR++ Increments the oscillator voltage level in steps of 100 mV, 500 mV,

1 V.

INCR+ Increases the oscillator voltage level with a resolution of 10 mV.

DECR- Decreases the oscillator voltage level with a resolution of 10 mV.

DECR-- Decrements the oscillator voltage level in steps of 1 V, 500 mV,

100 mV.

Figure 3-6 Measurement signal level setup screen

42 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Setting up cable length

Select the length of the measurement cable from 0 m, 1 m, or 2 m, depending on the test set lead you use.

0 m When you do not use the test lead (in other words, when you

connect the test fixture directly to the UNKNOWN terminal).

1 m When you use the Keysight 16048A/B test lead.

2 m When you use the Keysight 16048D test lead.

The procedure used to set up the length of the measurement cable is described below.

Step 1. Press the [Meas Setup] key.

Step 2. Press the CORRECTION softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the CABLE field.

Step 4. Use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

0 m Sets the cable length to 0 meter.

1 m Sets the cable length to 1 meter.

2 m Sets the cable length to 2 meter.

Figure 3-7 Cable length selection menu screen

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 43

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Executing measurement to compensate errors

You can compensate for errors in the measurement caused by disturbances such as stray admittance and residual impedance of the test fixture and cable.

Corrections should be performed before actually connecting the DUT to the test fixture.

Measuring data for OPEN correction

The OPEN correction is provided to remove stray admittance parallel to the DUT. The procedure to measure the data for OPEN correction is described below.

Step 1. Press the [Meas Setup] key.

Step 2. Press the CORRECTION softkey. The CORRECTION display page as shown in

Figure 3-8 appears.

Figure 3-8 Correction screen

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the OPEN field.

Step 4. Connect the UNKNOWN terminal and the test fixture with no DUT connected.

Step 5. Press the MEAS OPEN softkey. The data for the OPEN correction is then

measured.

• During the measurement, an “OPEN measurement in progress” message is shown on the display.

• When the measurement has finished, the “OPEN measurement in progress” message disappears.

• During the measurement, the ABORT

softkey is shown. Use this key when

you want to abort open correction.

The data for OPEN correction is stored as data for all the measurement frequencies.

44 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Getting Started

G2B2+

Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Step 6. When measurement of the data for OPEN correction is successfully completed,

the OPEN correction turns to ON (as shown in Figure 3-9).

Figure 3-9 Screen upon completion of measuring data for OPEN correction

Description of softkeys

To enable/disable or otherwise control the behavior of open correction, use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

ON Enables open correction.

OFF Disables open correction.

MEAS OPEN Starts open correction.

If open admittance |Yo| (= ) is greater than 20 µS (an unsuitable level for the data used in OPEN correction), the warning message “Out of limit” appears on the System message area on the screen.

Even if this warning message appears, the data for OPEN correction is still used. However, you should recheck the connection between the test fixture and the UNKNOWN terminal and confirm that the OPEN correction procedure was done correctly.

If a measurement failure occurs while measuring the data for correction, the error message “OPEN Measurement incomplete” occurs.

If this error occurs, the data for correction before the measurement remains without change.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 45

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Checking data for OPEN correction

You can check the measured open admittance value (data for the OPEN correction). The procedure is given below.

Step 1. Press the [Meas Setup] key.

Step 2. Press the CORRECTION softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the OPEN G-B field.

Figure 3-10 OPEN Correction Data

Step 4. Use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

G-B Displays the measured G-B value on the screen.

Cp-G Displays the measured Cp-G value on the screen.

46 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Measuring data for SHORT correction

The SHORT correction removes residual impedance in series with the DUT. The procedure to measure the data for SHORT correction is described below.

Step 1. Press the [Meas Setup] key.

Step 2. Press the CORRECTION softkey. The CORRECTION display page as shown in

Figure 3-8 appears.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the SHORT field.

Step 4. Connect the UNKNOWN terminal and the test fixture and short-circuit the high

and low test terminals

Step 5. Press the MEAS SHORT softkey. The data for the SHORT correction is then

measured.

• During the measurement, a “SHORT measurement in progress” message is shown on the display.

• When the measurement has finished, the “SHORT measurement in progress” message disappears.

• During the measurement, the ABORT

softkey is shown. Use this key when

you want to abort short correction.

The data for SHORT correction is stored as data for all the measurement frequencies.

Step 6. When measurement of the data for SHORT correction is successfully

completed, the SHORT correction turns to ON (as shown in Figure 3-11).

Figure 3-11 Screen upon completion of measuring data for SHORT correction

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 47

R2X2+

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Description of softkeys

To enable/disable or otherwise control the behavior of short correction, use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

ON Enables short correction.

OFF Disables short correction.

MEAS

Starts short correction.

SHORT

If SHORT impedance |Zs| (= ) is greater than 20 Ω (an unsuitable level for the data used in SHORT correction), the warning message “Out of limit” appears on the System message area on the screen

Even if this warning message appears, the data for SHORT correction is still used. However, you should recheck the connection between the test fixture and the UNKNOWN terminal and confirm that the SHORT correction procedure was done correctly.

If a measurement failure occurs while measuring the data for correction, an error message appears on the screen.

If an error occurs, the data for correction before the measurement remains without change.

48 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Checking data for SHORT correction

You can check the measured SHORT impedance value (the data for SHORT correction). The procedure is given below.

Step 1. Press the [Meas Setup] key.

Step 2. Press the CORRECTION softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the SHORT R-X field (as shown in Figure 3-12).

Figure 3-12 SHORT correction data

Step 4. Use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

R-X Displays the measured R-X value on the screen.

Ls-Rs Displays the measured Ls-Rs value on the screen.

For information on measuring data for Load correction, refer to “Obtaining

(measuring) data for LOAD correction” on page 102.

For checking data for Load correction, refer to “Checking

displaying/setting up data for LOAD correction” on page 111.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 49

Getting Started Learning Basic Measurement Procedure

Connecting the DUT (capacitor)

Mount a capacitor on the test fixture. The measurement result for the parameter selected in “Setting up measurement parameters” on page 40 is displayed. Figure 3-13 shows an example when the primary parameter is Cp and the secondary parameter is D.

Figure 3-13 Measurement result display screen (when primary parameter is Cp and

secondary parameter is D)

50 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter User Manual

4 Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display

This chapter describes how to initialize the instrument, set up the measurement conditions and display. It also describes how to save/recall the instrument setup state, including the measurement conditions.

Selecting Measurement Parameters

You can select one of the measurement parameter combinations shown in

Table 4-1.

Table 4-1 Measurement parameters

Primary parameter Secondary parameter

Cp D, Q, G, Rp

Cs D, Q, Rs

Each parameter is described below.

Cp: Capacitance value measured using the parallel equivalent circuit model Cs: Capacitance value measured using the series equivalent circuit model D: Dissipation factor Q: Quality factor (inverse of D) G: Equivalent parallel conductance measured using the parallel equivalent circuit model Rp: Equivalent parallel resistance measured using the parallel equivalent circuit model Rs: Equivalent series resistance measured using the series equivalent circuit model

e4981aue0049

Cs Rs

D =

2Ǹf Cp Rp

2Ǹf Cp R p

D =

2Ǹf Cs Rs

Q =

G =

Q =

2Ǹf Cs Rs

Parallel equivalent

circuit model

Series equivalent

circuit model

f: M e a sure m e n t signa l f re q u e ncy ( 120 Hz / 1 k H z / 1 M Hz )

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Selecting Measurement Parameters

Figure 4-1 Relationship between equivalent circuit model and measurement parameters

Setup procedure

For information on the selection criteria for the equivalent circuit model, refer to “Selection criteria of parallel/series equivalent circuit models” on

page 247.

For details on setup procedure, refer to “Setting up measurement parameters”

on page 40.

52 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Inputting Comment Line

Inputting Comment Line

You can enter a comment in the comment line by using the softkeys to enter letters and the entry keys to enter numbers from 0 through 9, +, -, and period (.). Your entered comment is saved in the internal memory or external USB memory along with the control settings of the E4981A. When you load the control settings, your saved comment is loaded as well.

The comment can be up to 30 characters in length. However, only the first 22 characters are displayed in the area.

Until you enter a comment into the comment line, the default text “USER COMMENT” appears in the comment line.

You can also use the :DISPlay:LINE command to enter ASCII characters into the comment line.

To enter a comment into the comment line:

Step 1. Press the [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Press MEAS SETUP softkey.

Step 3. Using the cursor keys, select the USER COMMENT field.

If there is already a comment, select that comment (field).

Step 4. To input a letter, use the following softkeys to cycle through letters in

alphabetical order and then select your desired letter:

Softkey Description

NEXT Displays the next letter to the letter currently displayed in the ADD

CHAR softkey.

PREV Displays the previous letter to the letter currently displayed in the ADD

CHAR softkey.

To input a number, use the entry keys.

Step 5. Press the ADD CHAR softkey.Your selected single character appears in the

input line area.

Step 6. Repeat

Step 7. Press the ENTER softkey to enter your text in the USER COMMENT field.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 53

Step 4 and Step 5 to input subsequent characters.

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Setting Up Measurement Signals (Frequency And Level)

Setting Up Measurement Signals (Frequency And Level)

Setting up frequency

You can set the frequency of the measurement signal applied to the DUT as either 120 Hz, 1 kHz, or 1 MHz.

In Option 002, 1 MHz frequency is not available.

Setup procedure

For details on setup procedure, refer to “Setting up measurement signal

frequency” on page 41.

Setting up level

You can set up the level of the measurement signal applied to the DUT within a range of 0.1 V to 1.0 V in steps of 10 mV.

Setup procedure

For details on setup procedure, refer to “Setting up measurement signal level”

on page 42.

Setting up signal level compensation (SLC) function

Functional description

If the impedance of DUT is small, then the output resistance of the signal source, the resistance of the measurement cable can cause the voltage applied to the DUT to decrease below the specified voltage of the signal source. The signal level compensation feature adjusts the voltage across the DUT to the same level as the signal voltage level setting. Using this feature, you can maintain a constant level (voltage) of measurement signals applied to the DUT.

SLC is available on:

• 120 Hz: 220 µF, 470 µF, 1 mF range

• 1 kHz: 22 µF, 47 µF, 100 µF range

For all other range/frequency SLC is not executed even if LVL COMP is ON.

54 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Setting Up Measurement Signals (Frequency And Level)

To set up the signal level compensation feature:

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the LVL COMP field.

Step 3. Use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

ON Turns ON the signal level compensation feature.

OFF Turns OFF the signal level compensation feature.

Level error of the signal level compensation function

Even if you use the signal level compensation function, signal level drop occurs at larger capacitance with larger D (refer to “Signal Level Compensation (SLC)

function” on page 193).

In E4981A, the AC level monitor is always ON.

The status in which capacity further increases and the output current of the signal source approaches the limit (approximately 1 Arms) is judged as overload. In this case, OVLD appears on the display.

Executing signal level check

When level error becomes over 10%. If the applied signal level for DUT is dropped more than 10% from the setting level the following error occurs:

• When both SLC and contact check are ON, generates contact check error.

• When SLC is ON and contact check is OFF, generates OVLD (overload) error.

For more information on contact check, refer to “Setting up Contact Check” on

page 66.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 55

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Selecting Measurement Range

Selecting Measurement Range

Setting measurement range to be automatically selected (auto ranging)

Two modes can be used to select the measurement range as shown in Table

4-2. To enable automatic selection, select the auto range mode.

Table 4-2 Measurement range mode

Mode Function overview Ad vantage Disadvantage

The instrument

automatically

Auto range

(auto selection)

selects a proper

measurement

range depending on the value of the DUT and performs

measurement.

You do not need to

select the

measurement

range.

The measurement time is longer due

to the ranging time.

Hold

(fixed) range

(manual selection)

Measurement is

performed with a

fixed measurement

range regardless of

the value of the

DUT.

No ranging time is

required.

You need to select a

proper range

depending on the

value of the DUT.

56 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Selecting Measurement Range

Selecting your desired measurement range (hold range)

The selectable measurement ranges are shown in Table 4-3. As this table shows, selectable measurement ranges differ depending on the measurement signal frequency. Therefore, if a newly selected measurement frequency conflicts with the current measurement range setting, the setting is automatically changed to cover the allowable range.

Table 4-3 Selectable measurement ranges

For 120 Hz measurement

signal frequency:

For 1 kHz measurement

signal frequency:

For 1 MHz measurement

signal frequency:

1 pF 2.2 pF 4.7 pF

10 pF 22 pF 47 pF

100 pF 220 pF 470 pF 100 pF 220 pF 470 pF

1 nF 2.2 nF 4.7 nF 1 nF

10 nF 22 nF 47 nF 10 nF 22 nF 47 nF

100 nF 220 nF 470 nF 100 nF 220 nF 470 nF

1 µF 2.2 µF 4.7 µF 1 µF 2.2 µF 4.7 µF

10 µF 22 µF 47 µF 10 µF 22 µF 47 µF

100 µF 220 µF 470 µF 100 µF

1 mF

The procedure to set up the measurement range mode is described below.

Setup procedure

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Use the cursor key to select the RANGE field.

Step 3. Use the numeric keys or following softkeys:

Softkey Description

AUTO Sets the measurement range mode to AUTO.

HOLD Sets the measurement range mode to HOLD.

INCR+ Increments the measurement range in the HOLD mode.

DECR- Decrements the measurement range in the HOLD mode.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 57

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Selecting Measurement Time

Selecting Measurement Time

Measurement time of 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 are available in E4981A.

For details on the actual measurement time, refer to “Measurement time” on

page 188.

Setup procedure

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the MEAS TIME field.

Step 3. Use the numeric keys or following softkeys:

Softkey Description

INCR+ Increments the measurement time.

DECR- Decrements the measurement time.

Selecting Cable Length

Set up the length of the measurement cable to compensate errors due to the extension of the measurement cable. The E4981A lets you select the length from 0 m, 1 m, or 2 m, depending on the measurement cable you use.

0 m When you do not use the test lead (in other words, when you

1 m When you use the

2 m When you use the

Setup procedure

For details on setup procedure, refer to “Setting up cable length” on page 43.

Cable length information is saved in internal FLASH memory when power is OFF with backup function enabled.

connect the test fixture directly to the UNKNOWN terminal).

Keysight 16048A/B Keysight test lead.

Keysight 16048D test lead.

58 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Setting Up Averaging Count

Setting Up Averaging Count

Functional description

The averaging feature of the E4981A allows you to obtain moving average values of successive measurement results.

You can specify the averaging factor within the range of 1 to 256 in steps of 1.

Setup procedure

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the AVG field

Step 3. Use the numeric keys or following softkeys:

Softkey Description

ON Turns ON the averaging feature.

OFF Turns OFF the averaging feature.

INCR+ Increments the averaging factor in steps of 1.

DECR- Decrements the averaging factor in steps of 1.

Setting Up Trigger Delay Time

You can set up a wait time (trigger delay time) between when a trigger is detected and when the measurement is started. You can set up the trigger delay time within the range of 0 s to 1 s in steps of 100

Setup procedure

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the TRIG DLY field.

Step 3. Use the numeric keys or following softkeys:

Softkey Description

INCR++ Increments the trigger delay time in steps of 1 msec.

μs.

INCR+ Increments the trigger delay time in steps of 0.1 msec.

DECR- Decrements the trigger delay time in steps of 0.1 msec.

DECR-- Decrements the trigger delay time in steps of 1 msec.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 59

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Outputting the Measurement Signal Only During the Measurement to Protect the Contact Pin (Synchronous Source Function)

When source delay is available, trigger delay executes after source delay time.

Outputting the Measurement Signal Only During the Measurement to Protect the Contact Pin (Synchronous Source Function)

You can use this function to prevent large current from flowing through the contact pin at the moment of contact with DUT to avoid damaging the contact pin. This function, after a trigger, outputs the measurement signal so that it is applied only during measurement (synchronous source function).

Setup procedure

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the SYNC SRC field.

Step 3. Use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

ON Turns ON the synchronous source function.

OFF Turns OFF the synchronous source function.

Step 4. Use the cursor keys to select the SRC DLY field.

Step 5. Use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

INCR++ Increments the source delay in steps of 1 ms.

INCR+ Increments the source delay in steps of 0.1 ms.

DECR- Decrements the source delay in steps of 0.1 ms.

DECR-- Decrements the source delay in steps of 1 ms.

The specified source delay time (to delay the start of signal output) is valid only when the synchronous source function is ON.

When the source delay time and trigger delay time are both specified, the source delay time precedes the trigger execution.

Figure 4-2 shows the measurement signal output timing.

60 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display

Measurement Status

Measurement Signal

Trigger Signal

Measurement Signal

Measurement Status

Output

Halted

(Index)

Source Delay Time

Trigger Delay Time

Halted

Analog Meas.

Output continues

Halted

Analog Meas.

Digital Computing

Synchronous Source Function = ON

Synchronous Source Function = OFF

Setting Up Frequency Shift

Figure 4-2 Measurement signal output timing

e4981aue0043

Setting Up Frequency Shift

When two or more E4981A units are integrated into a single system, you can shift the 1 MHz measurement frequency by +1%, –1%, 0%, –2%, or +2% to avoid interference between the measurement signals.

Setup procedure

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the FREQ SHFT field.

Step 3. Use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

+1% Shifts the 1 MHz measurement frequency by +1%.

–1% Shifts the 1 MHz measurement frequency by –1%.

0% Shifts the 1 MHz measurement frequency by 0%.

–2% Shifts the 1 MHz measurement frequency by –2%.

+2% Shifts the 1 MHz measurement frequency by +2%.

For Option 002, the frequency shift function is not available.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 61

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Setting Up Display

Setting Up Display

Turning ON/OFF display

You can turn ON/OFF the display with the [Display Format] key.

If you turn OFF the display, DISPLAY NORMAL is always displayed in the display area for the above items, and you cannot read the measurement result. However, the measurement time is shortened because no additional time is required for updating the display.

Setup procedure

Step 1. Press [Display Format].

Step 2. Press the DISPLAY BLANK softkey.

Step 3. If you turn OFF the display, DISPLAY NORMAL is always displayed in the

display area. To return to normal display press the DISPLAY NORMAL softkey.

Using fixed point display for measurement result

The following two display modes can be used to display the measurement result of the measurement parameter.

Description

Floating point display (default setup)

Fixed point display The value displayed at each digit is fixed to the value defined by

The fixed point display is always used to display the deviation percentage (refer to “Displaying measurement result in deviation from reference value

(deviation measurement mode)” on page 63) as well as to display D and Q.

The value displayed at each digit is not fixed and changes depending on the measured value.

the user.

62 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Setting Up Display

Setup procedure

Selecting floating/fixed point display

Step 1. Press [Display Format].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the field in which a measurement result of

primary parameter or secondary parameter is displayed.

Step 3. Use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

D.P. AUTO Automatically sets the decimal point

D.P. FIX Fixes the decimal point position

D.P. POS INCR+ Increments the position of decimal point

D.P. POS DECL- Decrements the position of decimal point

Displaying measurement result in deviation from reference value (deviation measurement mode)

Functional description

The deviation measurement feature allows you to display deviation values instead of actual measurements. A deviation is expressed as the difference between the actual measurement and the stored reference value. The deviation measurement feature is useful when you observe how a particular value of a device/component changes under varying conditions of temperature, frequency, bias, and other influences.

You can apply the deviation measurement feature to the primary or secondary parameter or both. The deviation measurement feature supports the following two modes:

ΔABS (absolute value) deviation measurement

•

Identifies and displays the difference between the actual measurement of the DUT and the stored reference value. This value is calculated based on the following formula:

ΔABS = X-Y

XYactual measurement of the DUT

stored reference value

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 63

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Setting Up Display

• Δ% (percentage) deviation measurement

Identifies the difference between the actual measurement of the DUT and the stored reference value and displays it as a percentage of the reference value. This percentage deviation value is calculated based on the following formula:

Δ% = (X-Y)/Y×100 (%)

X actual measurement of the DUT

Y stored reference value

To set up the deviation measurement feature:

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the REF A field.

Step 3. Enter the reference value using the softkeys or entry keys. If you use the entry

keys to enter the value, the softkey labels change to unit labels (p, n, u, m, x1, k).

Softkey Description

MEASURE If you want to use a particular device/component as the reference,

connect the DUT and press this key. Then the instrument measures the DUT once and automatically fills the REF A and REF B fields with the measured values, which now serve as the reference values.

Step 4. Use the cursor keys to select the DEV A field.

Step 5. Use the softkey to select the deviation mode for the primary parameter:

Softkey Description

ABS Displays the deviation as the difference from the reference value.

% Displays the deviation as a percentage of the reference value.

OFF Turns OFF deviation measurement.

Step 6. Using the cursor keys, select the DEV B field.

Step 7. Select the deviation mode for the primary parameter using the softkeys

described in

64 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Step 5.

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Setting Up Display

Difference between deviation measurement mode and offset correction

The offset correction function is similar to the deviation measurement mode with respect to the behavior when a predefined value is subtracted from the measured value. On the other hand, the two functions differ as explained below.

Purpose Effect on comparator

Not affected.

The absolute value of the

measurement result is

always used for sorting

judgment.

Deviation

measurement

mode

Used when calculating the

deviation of the measured value

from any given value (for example, nominal value).

Used to bring the measured

Offset correction

value close to any given value

(for example, to compensate variations of the measured value among instruments for the same

Values compensated by this function are used for sorting

Affected.

judgment.

DUT).

If the deviation measurement mode and the offset correction are both ON, the offset correction is executed first and then, using the result as the measurement result, the value calculated is displayed. (Refer to Figure 5-1 on

page 92.)

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 65

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Setting up Contact Check

Setting up Contact Check

The E4981A contact check function can be used to check for contact failure between the E4981A connector and the DUT.

When contact failure is detected, N.C. will appear on the display and a fixed value (9.9E37) is always read out via GPIB/LAN/USB as the measurement value, and the /LOWC_OR_NC signal of the handler interface goes Low.

The contact check function is available only at 120 Hz and 1 kHz measurement frequency. This function does not works when range is set as AUTO.

Setup procedure

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Press the CONT CHECK softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the CONT CHK1 field.

Step 4. Use the following softkeys:

Softkey Description

ON Turns ON the contact check function to detect loose connection

OFF Turns OFF the contact check function

Step 5. Use the cursor keys to select the CC1 TH1 field. TH1 is a parameter

proportional to the contact resistance of Hp or Hc.

Step 6. Use the recommended setting value 0.1 (default value) for CC1 TH1.

Table 4-4 Recommended setting value for TH1 and TH2

Range

TH1 TH2

120 Hz 1 kHz

10 nF 100 pF - 1 nF

22 nF - 100 nF 2.2 nF - 10 nF 0.08

0.08

220 nF - 1 µF 22 nF - 100 nF 0.08

2.2 µF - 10 µF 220 nF - 1 µF 0.1

22 µF - 100 µF 2.2 µF - 10 µF

0.1

0.15

220 µF - 1 mF 22 µF - 100 µF N/A

1. Default value.

66 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Setting Up Condition To Make A Beep

Step 7. Use the cursor keys to select the CC1 TH2 field. TH2 is a parameter

proportional to the contact resistance of Lp or Lc.

Step 8. Use the softkeys or entry keys to enter the TH2 value according to Table 4-4.

When data is entered with the entry keys, the softkeys change to units labels (m, x1).

Softkey Description

INCR++ Increments the threshold value as 0, 10 m, 20 m, 50 m, 100 m, 200 m,

500 m, 1.

INCR+ Increments the threshold value in steps of 10.

DECR- Decrements the threshold value in steps of 10.

DECR-- Decrements the threshold value 1, 500 m, 200 m, 100 m, 50 m, 20 m,

10 m, 0.

Setting Up Condition To Make A Beep

The condition to make a beep sound differs depending on the beep mode, as shown in Table 4-5.

Table 4-5 Condition to make a beep

Mode Condition to make a beep

Off Never makes a beep.

Fail

Pass

Setup procedure

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Press the LIMIT TABLE softkey.

When wrong key operation is

performed.

When an error, alarm, or other

message

is outputted.

When the sorting judgment result of

the comparator is OUT_OF_BIN,

AUX_BIN, No contact or OVLD.

When the sorting judgment result of

the comparator is from BIN1 to

BIN9.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the BEEP field.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 67

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Turning On/Off the Beep Feature

Turning On/Off the Beep Feature

Functional description

The E4981A has a beep feature that generates beeps when one or more of the following conditions occur:

• An error message or warning message has appeared.

• The instrument has completed open/short correction.

• The instrument has completed open/short/load correction at user-specified frequency points.

• The DUT has failed the limit test or has been sorted as OUT_OF_BIN, AUX_BIN, OVLD or No contact by the comparator.

• The DUT has passed the limit test or has been sorted into one of bins 1 through 9 by the comparator.

• You have turned on/off the key lock.

Regardless of whether the beep feature is on or off, beeps are generated whenever:

• E4981A starts up.

• You change the beep tone through the front panel.

The beep feature does not support volume control.

To set up the beep feature:

Step 1. Press [System].

Step 2. Press the SYSTEM CONFIG softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the BEEPER ENABLED field.

Step 4. Turn on or off the beep feature by pressing the appropriate softkey:

Softkey Description

ON Turns ON the beep feature.

OFF Turns OFF the beep feature.

1. You can use the BEEP field on the LIMIT TABLE SETUP page or the :CALC:COMP:BEEP command to turn on/off the beep feature for the comparator.

68 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Changing the Beep Tone

Changing the Beep Tone

Functional description

The E4981A allows you to change the beep tone to one of five levels.

To change the beep tone:

Step 1. Press [System].

Step 2. Press the SYSTEM CONFIG softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the BEEPER TONE field.

Step 4. Change the beep tone by pressing the appropriate softkey:

Softkey Description

TONE 1

TONE 2 Selects tone 2.

TONE 3 Selects tone 3.

TONE 4 Selects tone 4.

TONE 5 Selects tone 5.

Selects tone 1.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 69

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Configuring the Time Zone

Configuring the Time Zone

Functional description

The E4981A allows you to set a time zone.“Configuring the System Date” on page 71 changes whenever the time zone is changed.

Set the time difference from Greenwich Mean Time, GMT.

To configure the time zone:

Step 1. Press [System].

Step 2. Press the SYSTEM CONFIG softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the TIME ZONE field.

Step 4. Use the following softkey:

Softkey Description

HOUR INCR++

MINUTE INCR+

Increases the time up to +15 in steps of 1.

When the time is plus (+), increments the time from 0 to 45 in steps of

15.

When the time is minus (–), increments the time from –45 to 0 in steps of 15.

MINUTE DECR–

When the time is plus (+), decrements the time from 45 to 0 in steps of

15.

When the time is minus (–), decrements the time from 0 to –45 in steps of 15.

HOUR DECR––

Decreases the time up to –12 in steps of 1.

When the E4981A is returned to the factory default settings, the time zone setting is also initialized.

70 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Configuring the System Date

Configuring the System Date

Functional description

The E4981A features a built-in clock.

Configure the system date after “Configuring the Time Zone” on page 70.

To configure the system date:

Step 1. Press [System].

Step 2. Press the SYSTEM CONFIG softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the DATE/TIME field.

Step 4. Use the following softkey:

Softkey Description

DATE

TIME

Selects the date field so that you can change the year, month, and day.

Selects the time field so that you can change the hour, minute, and seconds digit.

Step 5. If you have selected the date field, use the following keys to edit the year,

month, and day. If you have selected the time field, proceed to

Step 7.

Softkey Description

YEAR Allows you to change the year digit.

MONTH Allows you to change the month digit.

DAY Allows you to change the day digit.

Step 6. Enter the year/month/day using the softkeys or entry keys. If you use the entry

keys to enter the value, the softkey labels change to unit labels (x1).

Softkey Description

YEAR INCR+ Increments the year in steps of 1.

YEAR DECR- Decrements the year in steps of 1.

MONTH INCR+ Increments the month in steps of 1.

MONTH DECR- Decrements the month in steps of 1.

DAY INCR+ Increments the day in steps of 1.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 71

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Configuring the System Date

Softkey Description

DAY DECR- Decrements the day in steps of 1.

When you enter the year through the entry keys, use a four-digit value.

Step 7. If you have selected the time field, use the following keys to edit the hour,

minute, and second digits.

Softkey Description

HOUR Allows you to change the hour digit.

MINUTE Allows you to change the minute digit.

SECOND Allows you to change the second digit.

Step 8. Enter the hour/minute/second using the softkeys or entry keys. If you use the

entry keys to enter the value, the softkey labels change to unit labels (x1).

Softkey Description

HOUR INCR+ Increments the hour in steps of 1.

HOUR DECR- Decrements the hour in steps of 1.

MINUTE INCR+ Increments the minute in steps of 1.

MINUTE DECR- Decrements the minute in steps of 1.

SECOND INCR+ Increments the second in steps of 1.

SECOND DECR- Decrements the second in steps of 1.

When you enter the hour with the entry keys, use a value within the range of 0 (midnight) through 23 (11:00 pm).

72 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Configuring the GPIB Address

Configuring the GPIB Address

Functional description

Before you can control the E4981A by issuing SCPI commands from an external controller connected via its GPIB connector, you have to configure the GPIB address of your E4981A. For information on the concept and implementation of automatic configuration by use of GPIB, refer to Programming Manual.

To configure the GPIB address:

Step 1. Press [System].

Step 2. Press the SYSTEM CONFIG softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the GPIB ADDR field.

Step 4. Enter a value with the entry keys in the range of 0 through 30.

Configuring the LAN IP Address

Functional description

To enable the E4981A to communicate over a local area network (LAN), you have to configure its IP address and connect a LAN cable. The IP address can be either automatically obtained or manually configured.

When the IP address is set to AUTO, AUTO-IP address is set. When the IP address is set to MANUAL, the address manually configured is set.

For information on the concept and implementation of automatic configuration by use of a LAN, refer to Programming Manual.

Softkey Description

AUTO Automatically obtains the IP address.

MANUAL Manually configures the IP address.

Table 4-6 IP address configuration methods

Method Description

AUTO-IP You can automatically obtain an available IP address.

MANUAL You can manually configure the IP address as well as subnet mask and

gateway settings.

1. Consult your network administrator for relevant settings of your network.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 73

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Configuring the LAN IP Address

Once you have automatically obtained an IP address, you can check the following monitor areas in the SYSTEM CONFIG page to see the address, subnet mask, and gateway:

• CURRENT IP ADDR

• CURRENT SUBNET MASK

• CURRENT GATEWAY

To automatically obtain the IP address:

Step 1. Press [System].

Step 2. Press the SYSTEM CONFIG softkey.

Step 3. When you want to obtain the IP address automatically, select the IP CONFIG

field using the cursor keys and then press the AUTO softkey.

To manually configure the IP address:

Step 1. Press [System].

Step 2. Press the SYSTEM CONFIG softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the IP CONFIG field and then press the MANUAL

softkey.

Step 4. Use the cursor keys to select the MANUAL IP ADDR field.

Step 5. Enter the IP address using the entry keys.

Example: 192.168.1.101

Step 6. Press the ENTER softkey.

Step 7. Use the cursor keys to select the MANUAL SUBNET MASK field.

Step 8. Enter the subnet mask using the entry keys.

Step 9. Press the ENTER softkey.

Step 10. Use the cursor keys to select the MANUAL GATEWAY field.

Step 11. Enter the gateway using the entry keys.

Step 12. Press the ENTER softkey.

Step 13. Press the RESTART NETWORK softkey.

74 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Configuring the LAN IP Address

Checking the LAN connection status

You can check the CURRENT LAN STATUS monitor area to see the LAN connection status of the E4981A. The status is expressed as one of the following:

Table 4-7 LAN connection status

Status Description

NORMAL LAN connection is OK.

FAILED Disconnected from the LAN or LAN connection has failed.

IDENTIFY LAN connection is being initialized.

To reconnect to the network:

Step 1. Press [System].

Step 2. Press the SYSTEM CONFIG softkey.

Step 3. Press the RESTART NETWORK softkey on the IP CONFIG field, MANUAL IP

ADDR field, MANUAL SUBNET MASK field, or MANUAL GATEWAY field.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 75

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

You can save/recall up to 20 instrument setup states into/from the built-in FLASH memory (0 through 9) and external USB memory (10 through 19).

The ninth instrument setting corresponds to Auto Recall. Auto recall is not executed when power is ON, by pressing the [Preset] key.

Overview of save/recall functionality

Configurations and measurement results can be saved into, and recalled from, the E4981A’s internal memory or external USB memory through the save/recall functionality.

Save methods and their uses

Table 4-8 shows available save methods and their uses:

Table 4-8 Save methods and their uses

Save method

Type

File format (extension)

Configuration Save (internal

----------- Yes

memory)

Configuration

Save (USB

(.sta) Yes

memory)

Data Save (USB

memory)

Screen Save

(USB memory)

CSV format (.csv) No

GIF format (.gif) No

For information on configuration states that can be saved, see Table C-1,

“Initial settings, settings that can be saved/recalled, settings that can be backed up,” on page C-228.

Recallable Use

To save E4981A’s configuration

states into the internal memory.

To save E4981A’s configuration

states into USB memory.

To save measurement results into

USB memory.

To save E4981A’s screenshot into

USB memory.

76 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display

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Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Folder/File structure on USB memory

When you save information into USB memory, a predetermined structure scheme is used to organize folders and files on the memory, as shown in Figure

4-3.

Folder

Max. number

of files

Description

data 999 Contains measurement results as .csv files.

image 999 Contains screenshots as .gif files.

state 10 Contains instrument configuration states.

system

1. This folder can be operated from the SYSTEM page.

This single file, whose name is always “system,” contains the system information.

These folders are automatically created in the memory.

Figure 4-3 Folder/File structure on USB memory

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Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 77

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

USB memory notes

Attention should be given to the following points when using a USB memory device with the E4981A

• Use a USB memory whose interface is USB 1.1.

• Use a USB memory that is USB mass storage class compliant and formatted with FAT16 or FAT32.

• Use the USB memory solely for the E4981A. Otherwise, other data previously saved in the USB memory could be erased.

• If you cannot save into or recall from the USB memory, use another USB memory device.

• Keysight Technologies shall not be responsible for nor assume any liability for data loss in your USB memory device after using it with the E4981A.

Saving/Recalling instrument configuration states

Overview of instrument configurations

Pressing the [Save/Recall] opens the CATALOG page. You can save/recall instrument configuration states in either of two ways:

• Save into the internal memory

•Save into USB memory

You can save up to 10 registers into the internal memory and into a single USB memory device. Also, register numbers have extensions as shown in Table 4-9:

Table 4-9 Extensions for register numbers

Classification

Internal memory

(No. field)

0 Recalled when the [Recall A] key is pressed.

1 Recalled when the [Recall B] key is pressed.

2 through 8 -

9 Auto recall

Extension

USB memory 10 through 19 -

In this page, you can configure each of the following controls with the cursor placed in the corresponding field (denoted in parentheses).

• Medium mode (MEDIA field)

• Register number (No. field)

78 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Figure 4-4 CATALOG page

Medium mode

Functional description

You have to specify the medium type of the destination or source before saving or recalling instrument configurations.

To select the medium mode:

Step 1. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the MEDIA field.

Step 3. Select the medium mode by pressing the appropriate softkey:

Softkey Description

INT Uses the internal memory as the destination or source. Once you have

selected this mode, the register numbers (in the No. field) change to 0 through 9.

EXT Uses USB memory as the destination or source. Once you have selected

this mode, the register numbers (in the No. field) change to 10 through

19.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 79

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Choosing a register number

Functional description

You have to choose one of the register numbers (in the No. field) before saving or recalling instrument configurations.

Available choices include 0 through 9 when the medium mode is INT (internal memory), or 10 through 19 when the medium mode is EXT (USB memory).

To choose a register number and save/recall the configurations:

Step 1. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the No. field of your desired register number.

Step 3. Select your desired action by pressing the appropriate softkey:

Softkey Description

RECALL Recalls the configurations previously saved in the register that

corresponds to your specified register number.

SAVE Saves the configurations into the register that corresponds to your

specified register number.

DELETE Deletes the configurations previously saved in the register that

corresponds to your specified register number.

80 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Memory status information

Functional description

Each register number is associated with one of the following memory status values:

Status value Description

–1

0 The register contains no configurations.

1 The register does contain configurations.

2 The register contains any configuration that was saved under a

1. This value is not applicable when the medium mode is INT (internal memory).

2. An “Incompatible state file” warning message is displayed. Status information may fail to be correctly recalled.

The ninth instrument setting corresponds to Auto Recall. Auto recall is not executed when power is ON, by pressing the [Preset] key.

Comment information

Functional description

You can view comments entered into the comment line (USER COMMENT field) on the Measurement Conditions screen. For information on how to enter a comment, see “Inputting Comment Line” on page 53.

The register contains non-E4981A configuration information.

different firmware version or from another E4981A with a different option(s) equipped.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 81

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Saving/Recalling instrument configuration states into/from the internal memory

Figure 4-5 shows the fields available on this page along with the softkeys

corresponding to them.

Figure 4-5 CATALOG page (when saving instrument configurations into the internal

memory)

To save configuration states into the internal memory:

Step 1. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the MEDIA field.

Step 3. Press the INT softkey.

Step 4. Use the cursor keys to select the No. field (0 through 9) for your desired

Step 5. Press the SAVE softkey to save configuration states into the internal memory.

If you have selected the No. field for a register that already contains configuration states, new configuration states overwrite the existing ones.

To recall configuration states from the internal memory:

Step 1. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the MEDIA field.

Step 3. Press the INT softkey.

Step 4. Use the cursor keys to select the No. field (0 through 9) for your desired

Step 5. Press the RECALL softkey to recall configurations from the internal memory.

82 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display

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Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Using a hard key to recall states from the internal memory

You can also recall configuration states from a particular register in the internal memory by pressing one of the following hard keys:

Hard key Description

Recall A Recalls configuration states from register 0 (#0 in the No. field).

Recall B Recalls configuration states from register 1 (#1 in the No. field).

Saving/Recalling instrument configuration states into/from USB memory

Figure 4-6 shows the fields available on this page along with the softkeys

corresponding to them.

Figure 4-6 CATALOG page (when saving instrument configurations into USB memory)

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 83

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Functional description

When you save configuration states into USB memory, they are saved as predefined files in predefined locations. You cannot manually define the file names or locations.

Each state file is assigned a file name in the format of “register number.sta”.

To save configuration states into USB memory:

Step 1. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the MEDIA field.

Step 3. Press the EXT softkey.

Step 4. Use the cursor keys to select the No. field (10 through 19) for your desired

Step 5. Press the SAVE softkey to save configuration states into the USB memory.

If you have selected the No. field for a register that already contains configuration states, the new configuration states overwrite the existing ones.

To recall configuration states from USB memory:

Step 1. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the MEDIA field.

Step 3. Press the EXT softkey.

Step 4. Use the cursor keys to select the No. field (10 through 19) for your desired

Step 5. Press the RECALL softkey to recall configurations from the USB memory.

State files are automatically assigned file names 10.sta through 19.sta, and you cannot change the file names.

If you attempt to recall configuration states under any of the following conditions, an “Incompatible state file” warning message is displayed.

• The configuration states were saved under a different firmware version.

• The configuration states were saved from another E4981A with a different option(s) equipped.

84 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Using the auto recall feature

Functional description

You can have the E4981A, at start-up, automatically recall the configuration states previously saved in register number 9 on Internal memory.

To use the auto recall feature:

Step 1. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 2. Use the cursor keys to select the No. 9 [A] field.

Step 3. Press the RECALL softkey, to configure the instrument using the instrument

configuration information previously saved in register 9 on the Internal memory.

Transferring auto recall setting to another E4981A

Using external USB memory

Step 1. Perform auto recall.

Step 2. Connect external USB memory.

Step 3. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 4. Use the cursor keys to select MEDIA to EXT.

Step 5. Use the cursor keys to select memory location from 10 to 19.

Step 6. Press the SAVE softkey to save the data in the USB memory.

Step 7. Connect the USB memory to another E4981A, recall the saved state.

Step 8. After recalling the state, save it to internal memory No. 9[A].

Using *LRN? command

Step 1. Perform auto recall.

Step 2. Retrieve the instrument configuration using *LRN? command via

GPIB/LAN/USB.

Step 3. Send the instrument configurations (retrieved in Step 2) to another E4981A.

Step 4. Save the data to internal memory No. 9[A].

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 85

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Saving measurement results into USB memory

You can save measurement results obtained by the E4981A into USB memory as .CSV files. You can later load your saved files into an application program running on a PC.

Data buffer 3 is used to perform save data operation through front panel and web server. Also, it is not possible to load data through web server.

Before saving measurement results into USB memory, you need to complete some tasks preparatory to initiating measurement so that the data buffer memory contains the necessary data. For more information, see “To save

measurement results into USB memory:” on page 88.

You cannot load measurement results from USB memory into the E4981A.

Measurement result format

Measurement results are output in the format shown in Table 4-10.

The Data A and Data B fields of a measurement result file differ depending on whether the “effective digits” setting is on or off (controlled by the :FORMat:ASCii:LONG command).

Table 4-10 Measurement result format

Measurement Screen

Comparator Result Format

one point OFF <Data A>,<Data B>,<Status>

one point ON <Data A>,<Data B>,<Status>,<BIN No.>

Data A

Outputs the measurement data for the primary parameter.

The Data A field uses the following two different fixed-length ASCII formats:

When the “effective digits” setting is off:

(:FORMat:ASCii:LONG OFF)

SN.NNNNNESNN

(S:+/-, N:0 to 5, E: exponent character)

When the “effective digits” setting is on:

SN.NNNNNNNNNESNN

(S:+/-, N:0 to 9, E: exponent character)

(:FORMat:ASCii:LONG ON)

86 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Data B

Outputs the measurement data for the secondary parameter.

The Data B field uses the following two different fixed-length ASCII formats:

When the “effective digits” setting is off:

SN.NNNNNESNN

(S:+/-, N:0 to 5, E: exponent character)

(:FORMat:ASCii:LONG OFF)

When the “effective digits” setting is on:

SN.NNNNNNNNNESNN

(S:+/-, N:0 to 9, E: exponent character)

(:FORMat:ASCii:LONG ON)

Status

Represents the measurement result status by using one of the following status values:

0 Measurement successfully completed.

+1 Overload.

+2 Low C or No contact.

The Status field uses the following two-character fixed-length ASCII format:

SN (S:+/-, N:0 to 2)

If the value is 1, the measurement data is 9.9E37; if the value is 0 or 2, the actual measurement data is output.

The data buffer memory contains a measurement result with no data (as represented by the status value of –1), but it is excluded when the data is saved into USB memory.

Bin no. (IN/OUT)

Represents the bin sorting results as well as IN/OUT evaluation results, as shown below:

0OUT_OF_BINS

+1 to +9 BIN 1 through BIN 9

+10 AUX_BIN

+11 BIN_NA

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 87

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

The <BIN No.> data output format is either 2- or 3-character fixed-length ASCII format:

SN or SNN (S:+/-, N:0 to 9)

Example 4-1 Example of saved measurement result data

+1.059517689E-24,+1.954963777E+00,+0,+0

+9.706803904E-25,+2.095857894E-01,+0,+0

+2.172725184E-24,+2.072965495E-01,+0,+0

+3.660460872E-25,+7.172688291E+00,+0,+0

+1.135428381E-24,+6.490636201E-01,+0,+0

+1.384790632E-24,+2.193020669E+00,+0,+0

+3.829879310E-26,+2.788435221E+01,+0,+0

To save measurement results into USB memory:

Step 1. Plug a USB memory stick into the front USB port.

Step 2. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 3. Press the SAVE DATA softkey.

Step 4. Press the START LOG softkey and then press the following softkeys to enter the

measurement results into the data buffer memory.

Softkey Description

START LOG Starts logging the measurement results into the data buffer memory.

SAVE & STOP Copies the data from the data buffer memory into the USB memory.

Then stops saving the measurement results into the data buffer memory and clears the data buffer memory.

The above mentioned steps stores the data in buffer 3, enabling to save the data to USB memory.

Step 5. Start measurement. The data buffer memory is filled with up to 1000 sets of

measurement results.

Step 6. Press the SAVE & STOP softkey to save results into the USB memory.

Step 7. When the data has been saved into the USB memory, a “Storing data

completed. : E498xXXX.csv” message appears in the system message area.

88 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display

㪼㪋㪐㪏㪇㪸㫌㪼㪈㪈㪌㪇

㪛㪸㫋㪸㩷㪙㫌㪽㪽㪼㫉

㪤㪼㫄㫆㫉㫐

㪤㪼㪸㫊㫌㫉㪼㫄㪼㫅㫋

㪬㪪㪙㩷㪤㪼㫄㫆㫉㫐

㪲㪪㪫㪘㪩㪫㩷㪣㪦㪞㪴

㪲㪪㪘㪭㪜㩷㩽㩷㪪㪫㪦㪧㪴

㪣㫆㪾㪾㫀㫅㪾㩷㫊㫋㪸㫉㫋

㪛㪸㫋㪸㩷㫆㫌㫋㫇㫌㫋

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Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

Figure 4-7 Saving measurement results into USB memory

Measurement result files are automatically assigned file names E498x001.csv through E498x999.csv, and you cannot change the file names.

Saving a screenshot into USB memory

You can save a screenshot of the E4981A’s display into USB memory as a .GIF file. You can later load your saved file into an application program running on a PC.

To save a screenshot into USB memory

Step 1. Display the screen you want to save.

Step 2. Plug a USB memory device into the front USB port.

Step 3. Press [Save/Recall].

Step 4. Press the SAVE DISPLAY softkey.

Step 5. When the data has been saved into the USB memory device, a “Storing image

completed. : E498xXXX.gif” message appears in the system message area.

Screenshot files are automatically assigned file names E498x001.gif through E498x999.gif, and you cannot change the file names.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 89

Setting up Measurement Conditions and Display Saving/Recalling Instrument Setup State (Save/Recall Function)

90 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Overview of Correction Function

5 Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing

Correction)

This chapter gives an overview and the operational procedures of the different types of correction function available in the E4981A.

Overview of Correction Function

The E4981A provides several types of corrections such as OPEN, SHORT, LOAD, OFFSET, and Cable correction. This section explains various types of corrections available in the E4981A.

OPEN/SHORT/LOAD/OFFSET correction

The E4981A provides four types of correction functions: OPEN correction, SHORT correction, LOAD correction, and OFFSET correction. The following table gives a brief description of each correction function:

Type of correction Description

Corrects errors caused by parallel stray admittance of the test fixture. This correction is based on the results of admittance

OPEN correction

SHORT correction

LOAD correction

measurement in the OPEN state which is performed in advance.

OPEN correction can be performed at any frequency (120 Hz/ 1 kHz/1 MHz) and the correction data remains valid for all measurement frequencies.

Corrects errors caused by series residual impedance of the test fixture. This correction is based on the results of impedance measurement in the SHORT state which is performed in advance.

SHORT correction can be performed at any frequency (120 Hz/ 1 kHz/1 MHz) and the correction data remains valid for all measurement frequencies.

Corrects complex errors related to amplitude/phase errors, the scanner, and other factors caused by the cable and test fixture. This correction is based on the results of impedance measurement of the standard having a known value which is performed in advance.

LOAD correction is frequency dependent and the correction data remains valid only for the measurement frequency at which the LOAD correction is applied. If the frequency is changed, the LOAD correction needs to be performed again.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 91

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Overview of Correction Function

Type of correction Description

Corrects errors between the actual measured value and the ideal value that the user desires. This is done by subtracting any value

OFFSET correction

that the user enters from the measured result (for example, difference between a known standard value and its measured value, or instrument-by-instrument differences in the measured values of the same DUT).

In Option 002, there is no correction for 1 MHz frequency.

As shown in the data processing flow of Figure 5-1, the OPEN/SHORT/LOAD correction is first performed for the measured impedance result (complex number), and the result is converted to the primary/secondary parameters. Then, for the primary/secondary parameter values (real number), the OFFSET correction is performed.

Figure 5-1 Data processing flow

The measurement value displayed for correction or LOAD REF uses the internal data for calculation. The value is set depending upon the state of MULTI CORRECTION, LOAD REF, or CHANNEL.

92 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Overview of Correction Function

Cable correction

Cable correction avoids measurement error due to the differences of each cable when you use a cable length of 1 m or 2 m in 1 MHz.

In Option 002, 1 MHz frequency is not available.

Measurement error due to an individual cable is proportional to the square of the test frequency. Accordingly, the difference of each test cables may not be ignored at high frequencies, such as 1 MHz. When the E4981A is shipped from the factory, it contains typical correction data for both 1 m and 2 m cables. Cable correction can compensate the error for your own cable.

The following equipment are required for cable correction:

Open Termination 42090A Open termination (do not use BNC adapter as an

Load Standard 6383A 100 pF (capacitor) or 42037A 1 kΩ (resistor)

alternative)

Cable correction is not required in the following conditions:

• For 120 Hz and 1 kHz measurement frequency.

• When Open, Short, and Load correction is executed at 1 MHz measurement frequency.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 93

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Turning ON/OFF Correction Functions

Turning ON/OFF Correction Functions

You can turn ON/OFF each correction function separately.

Turning on OPEN correction

Use one of the following two ways to set the OPEN correction to ON.

Measuring data for OPEN correction

Execute measurement of the data for the OPEN correction. When the measurement finishes successfully, the OPEN correction is automatically set to ON. For information on the measurement procedure for the data used in the OPEN correction, refer to “Measuring data for OPEN correction” on page 44.

Setting up ON/OFF directly

Use the following procedure to set the OPEN correction to ON/OFF.

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Press the CORRECTION softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the OPEN field.

Step 4. Press the ON softkey to turn ON the OPEN correction function.

If you change the setup of the cable length or frequency shift (1 MHz) with the OPEN correction ON, the warning message “Need corr meas” appears and the OPEN correction is automatically set to OFF. Along with OPEN correction, SHORT and LOAD correction is set to OFF as well.

If you set the OPEN correction to ON by using the above procedure when the setup of the cable length or frequency shift differs from that during measurement of the data for OPEN correction, the warning message “Need open meas” appears. Even if this warning message appears, the OPEN correction is set to ON. However, you must again measure the data for OPEN correction to ensure accurate measurement.

When the measurement result becomes overload, “Measurement failed” error is displayed and OPEN correction data is not updated.

94 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Turning ON/OFF Correction Functions

Turning on SHORT correction

Use one of the following two ways to set the SHORT correction to ON.

Measuring data for SHORT correction

Execute measurement of the data for the SHORT correction. When the measurement finishes successfully, the SHORT correction is automatically set to ON. For information about the measurement procedure for the data used in the SHORT correction, refer to “Measuring data for SHORT correction” on

page 47.

Setting up ON/OFF directly

Use the following procedure to set the SHORT correction to ON/OFF.

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Press the CORRECTION softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the SHORT field.

Step 4. Press the ON softkey to turn ON the SHORT correction function.

If you change the setup of the cable length or frequency shift (1 MHz) with the SHORT correction ON, the warning message “Need corr meas” appears and the SHORT correction is automatically set to OFF. Along with SHORT correction, OPEN and LOAD correction is set to OFF as well.

If you set the SHORT correction to ON using the above procedure when the setup of the cable length or frequency shift d iffers from that during measurement of the data for SHORT correction, the warning message “Need short meas” appears. Even if this warning message appears, the SHORT correction is set to ON. However, you must again measure the data for SHORT correction to ensure accurate measurement.

When the measurement result becomes overload, “Measurement failed” error is displayed and SHORT correction data is not updated.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 95

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Turning ON/OFF Correction Functions

Turning on LOAD correction

Use one of the following two ways to set the LOAD correction to ON.

Measuring LOAD correction data

Execute measurement of the data for the LOAD correction. When the measurement finishes successfully, the LOAD correction is automatically set to ON. For information about the measurement procedure for the data used in the LOAD correction, refer to “Obtaining (measuring) data for LOAD correction” on

page 102.

Setting up ON/OFF directly

Use the following procedure to set the LOAD correction to ON/OFF.

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Press the CORRECTION softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the LOAD field.

Step 4. Press the ON softkey to turn ON the LOAD correction function.

If you change the setup of the cable length or frequency shift (1 MHz) with the LOAD correction ON, the warning message “Need corr meas” appears and the LOAD correction is automatically set to OFF. Along with LOAD correction, OPEN and SHORT correction is set to OFF as well.

If you set up the LOAD correction to ON using the above procedure when the setup of the cable length or frequency shift differs from that during measurement of the data for LOAD correction, the warning message “Need load meas” appears. Even if this warning message appears, the LOAD correction is set to ON. However, you must again measure the data for the LOAD correction to ensure accurate measurement.

When the measurement result becomes overload, “Measurement failed” error is displayed and LOAD correction data is not updated.

96 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Turning ON/OFF Correction Functions

Turning on OFFSET correction

Use the following procedure to set the OFFSET correction to ON/OFF.

Step 1. Press [Meas Setup].

Step 2. Press the CORRECTION softkey.

Step 3. Use the cursor keys to select the OFFSET field.

Step 4. Press the ON softkey to turn ON the OFFSET correction function.

If you change the setup of the measurement parameter with the OFFSET correction ON, the OFFSET correction is automatically set to OFF.

You cannot separately set the ON and OFF states as the primary parameter and secondary parameter. However, if you set the correction value to 0, the state is effectively the same as OFF even if the OFFSET correction is ON. Therefore, you can set up separate ON/OFF states by setting the correction value of either parameter to 0.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 97

For channel 0

For channel 255

120 Hz corection data

120 Hz cable length

1 kHz correction data

1 kHz cable length

1 MHz correction data

1 MHz cable length

1 MHz frequency shift

Multi correction: OFF Multi correction: ON

120 Hz correction data

120 Hz cable length

1 kHz correction data

1 kHz cable length

1 MHz correction data

1 MHz cable length

1 MHz frequency shift

1 MHz frequencty shift

e4981aue0040

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Obtaining Correction Data

Obtaining Correction Data

Obtaining (measuring) data for OPEN correction

Data structure

The 120 Hz, 1 kHz, and 1 MHz data used in the OPEN correction is divided into the data for normal operation and the data of each channel (256 channels) for multi-correction, as shown in Figure 5-2.

Figure 5-2 Structure of data for OPEN correction

Measured data

For Open correction, 120 Hz, 1 kHz, and 1 MHz are measured and each data frequency is saved. Therefore, even if the measurement frequency is changed

98 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

there is no need to reset the correction. The result is set up as the data for normal operation when the multi-correction function is OFF and as the data for multi-correction when the function is ON (for the channel that has been selected at execution).

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Obtaining Correction Data

The table below summarizes how data is set up, depending on the setup at execution.

Multicorrection

OFF

Setup of measurement signal frequency

120 Hz

1 kHz

1 MHz

120 Hz

1 kHz

1 MHz

Data

120 Hz correction data and 120 Hz cable length for normal operation

1 kHz correction data and 1 kHz cable length for normal operation

1 MHz correction data, 1 MHz cable length, and 1 MHz frequency shift for normal operation

120 Hz correction data and 120 Hz cable length for the channel selected at the time of multi-correction measurement

1 kHz correction data and 1 kHz cable length for the channel selected at the time of multi-correction measurement

1 MHz correction data, 1 MHz cable length and 1 MHz frequency shift for the channel selected at the time of multi-correction measurement

Measurement conditions during data measurement

The data for the OPEN correction is measured under the following conditions:

• Measurement range mode: auto range mode

• Measurement time mode: 8

For other settings, such as averaging and trigger delay, the measurement conditions set up at execution are used for measurement.

Measurement procedure

For more information on the measurement procedure for the data used in the OPEN correction, refer to “Measuring data for OPEN correction” on page 44.

Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter 99

For channel 0

For channel 255

120 Hz corection data

120 Hz cable length

1 kHz correction data

1 kHz cable length

1 MHz correction data

1 MHz cable length

1 MHz frequency shift

Multi correction: OFF Multi correction: ON

120 Hz correction data

120 Hz cable length

1 kHz correction data

1 kHz cable length

1 MHz correction data

1 MHz cable length

1 MHz frequency shift

1 MHz frequencty shift

e4981aue0040

Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Correction) Obtaining Correction Data

Obtaining (measuring) data for SHORT correction

Data structure

The 120 Hz, 1 kHz, and 1 MHz data used in the SHORT correction is divided into the data for normal operation and the data of each channel (256 channels) for multi-correction, as shown in Figure 5-3.

Figure 5-3 Structure of data for SHORT correction

Measured data

For SHORT correction, 120 Hz, 1 kHz, and 1 MHz are measured and each data frequency is saved. Therefore, even if the measurement frequency is changed there is no need to reset the correction. The result is set up as the data for normal operation when the multi-correction function is OFF and as the data for multi-correction when the function is ON (for the channel that has been

100 Keysight E4981A 120 Hz/1 kHz/1 MHz Capacitance Meter

selected at execution).

Keysight E4981A User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual