Agilent E4980A Data Sheet

Agilent

E4980A Precision

LCR Meter

20 Hz to 2 MHz

Setting a new standard for
low frequency impedance
measurements

Providing the best combination of accuracy, speed and versatility

2

A New Standard for Impedance Measurements

High-resolution LCD display

Full, 7-digit display and 6 display
modes for clear and easy viewing.

Simple and intuitive operation

Easily configure measurements with
soft keys (same interface as Agilent's
4284A LCR), one-touch front panel
keys and an intuitive user interface.

LED status lights

Conveniently view DC bias,
DC source, and USB memory status.

DC source

Low noise DC source port provides
more measurement flexibility. The DC
source enables a one-box solution,
making an additional DC source or
multimeter unnecessary.

• 0 to ± 10 V

1

Fast measurement speed

The E4980A offers excellent speed:

• 5.6 ms (SHORT)

2

• 88 ms (MED)

2

• 220 ms (LONG)

2

100 µV to 2 Vrms/20 Vrms

1

variable test signals

Provides high signal levels to evaluate
the AC voltage characteristics of
your devices.

Accurate measurements

Exceptionally low noise at both low
and high impedance for evaluating
the characteristics of inductors and
capacitors with excellent accuracy
and repeatability.

• 0.05% basic impedance accuracy

• 1/2/4m cable extension capability

• Open/Short/Load correction

USB interface (memory devices only)

Easily save measurement states,
data logs, and screen captures to
USB memory devices.

1. Option E4980A-001 required.

2. Measurement time at 1 MHz. Supplemental information.
For additional details, refer to the E4980A data sheet
(literature number 5989-4435EN).

Agilent’s E4980A precision LCR meter pro­vides the best combination of accuracy,
speed, and versatility for a wide range of
component measurements. Offering fast
measurement speed and outstanding

performance at both low and high
impedance ranges, the E4980A is
the ultimate tool for general R&D
and manufacturing test of components
and materials.

DC bias

Built-in, wide, DC-voltage-bias-range
source provides accurate bias
dependency evaluation for
semiconductor wafer, C, L,
and material measurements.

• 1.5 V and 2 V (standard)

• 0 to ± 40 V

1

• Auto bias polarity control

1

3

Key Features

Compact and light weight

Small size for easy transportation

• 370 (W) x 105 (H) x 390 (D) mm

• 5.3 kg (11.7 lb.)

Optional bias current, handler or scanner interfaces

Two of three interface options to choose from:

• Bias current interface to connect an Agilent 42841A
bias current source (Option E4980A-002)

• Handler interface with 9 BIN outputs
(Option E4980A-201)

• Scanner interface with 128 multi-channel correction
(Option E4980A-301)

Standard LAN/USB/GPIB interface

Flexible PC connectivity and fast transfer speed

• 10/100 Base-T LAN

• USB (USBTMC) interface

• GPIB for robust instrument control
and test automation

External trigger

Accurate measurements

Exceptionally low noise at both low and
high impedance to improve test quality.

• 0.05 % basic impedance accuracy

• Open/Short/Load compensation
support

• Cable extension (1/2/4m) support

Fast measurement speed

1

Fast speed provides more throughput
reducing cost of test.

• 5.6 ms (SHORT)

• 88 ms (MED)

• 220 ms (LONG)

Measurement versatility

• 20 Hz to 2 MHz test frequency
with 4-digit resolution at any
frequency

• 16 impedance parameters

• 100 µV to 2 Vrms, 1 µA to 20 mA
variable test signal

• Auto-level control

• 201 points of programmable
list sweep

Option E4980A-001 power and DC bias
enhancement

• 0 to 20 Vrms/100 mArms test signal

• Built-in 40 V DC bias with 0.3 mV
resolution

• Built-in 10 V DC source

• DC resistance, DC current, and
DC voltage measurement capability

Option E4980A-002 bias current interface
and 42841A bias current source

DC current bias:

• 0.01 A to 20 A
(with 42841A and 42842A)

• 0.02 A to 40 A (with 42841A x 2ea.,
42842B and 42843A)

1. Measurement time at 1 MHz. Supplemental information.
For additional details, refer to the E4980A data sheet
(literature number 5989-4435EN).

4

Accurate, Fast Measurements up to 2 MHz

Accurate measurements provide design and test confidence

Fast measurement speed for
more throughput in manufacturing

• 5.6 ms per point at 1 MHz with
SHORT mode

1

• 88 ms per point at 1 MHz with
MED mode

1

• 220 ms per point at 1 MHz with
LONG mode

1

Average function (up to 999)
Enables users to improve measurement
repeatability.

Broad range impedance measurements

The E4980A LCR meter offers excellent
performance for all impedance
measurements.

Reliable measurement performance is
needed to meet the test requirements of
today’s latest devices. Only the E4980A
offers fast measurement speed and out­standing performance within “both”
low and high impedance ranges with
exceptional dissipation factor accuracy.

Stable small ESR/low impedance
measurements

The equivalent series resistance (ESR)
of capacitors is becoming smaller and
smaller to meet high-speed and low
power-consumption circuit needs; and is
difficult to measure. The E4980A provides
exceptional measurement stability.

Exceptionally accurate, high impedance
measurements

The capacitance values of chip-capacitors
and semiconductor wafers are now down
to femto-farad (fF) range. Thus, very stable
and accurate high impedance measurements
are required for higher yields and design
reliability. Surpassing Agilent’s previous
industry-standard LCR meter (4284A), the
E4980A further improves measurement
stability for these small capacitance
devices.

Offering the industry’s best combination of speed and accuracy

Figure 1. 10% impedance measurement accuracy
range. Test signal 1 Vrms, MED mode, cable 0m.

Figure 2. Low impedance evaluation (1 mΩ at 100 kHz).

Figure 3. High impedance evaluation (1 pF at 1 MHz).

Figure 4. Measurement time

1

: standard E4980A LCR vs. 4284A LCR.

1. Measurement time at 1 MHz. Supplemental information.
For additional details, refer to the E4980A data sheet
(literature number 5989-4435EN).

5

Versatile Measurement Capability to Meet your Application Needs

Powerful features increase test reliability and efficiency

Six convenient display modes

Select one of six display modes to suit your
particular measurement needs.

• Normal view for a data overview

• Large display view for enhanced
readability

• BIN No. view for measurement
comparison and device sorting

• BIN count view for statistical evaluation

• LIST sweep view for continuous data

• Blank page view for ultimate speed
(Turns off display to save refresh time.)

201 points list sweep

Frequency, measurement range, and stimulus
conditions, can be set as list parameters
(max 201 points). You can choose two
parameters independently to test under a
variety of measurement conditions.

E4980A power and DC bias enhancement
(Option E4980A-001)

20 Vrms test signal (Opt. 001)

A powerful AC test signal provides up to
20 Vrms, 100 mArms (maximum). This
allows you to evaluate AC level dependency
without an external amplifier.

DC parameter measurement (Opt. 001)

Simultaneously measure DC resistance,
DC current, or DC voltage as well as imped­ance. For inductor measurements, Ls and
Rdc parameters can be measured at the
same time. Leakage current measurements
are available for capacitance evaluation.

40 V DC bias (Opt. 001)

Built-in, wide range (± 40 Vdc/100 mA)
DC bias source enables accurate DC bias
verses impedance evaluation.

DC source (Opt. 001)

Provides an additional, independent DC
source port to expand the flexibility of DC
control and bias applications. For example,
this option enables measurement of three
terminal devices, allowing you to control
your DUT, add extra bias, and control
additional devices at the same time.

40 A DC current bias (with E4980A-002
and Agilent's 42841A)

Using the Agilent 42841A external DC current
source, enables you to build a DC current
bias evaluation system (up to 40 A DC) with
a wide frequency range (20 Hz to 2 MHz)
to make highly accurate and efficient DC
current bias inductance measurements.

Figure 6. List sweep mode.

Figure 9. E4980A LCR with 42841A bias
current source and 42842A bias current
test fixture.

Figure 5. Select one of six display modes.

Figure 7. DCR measurement.

Figure 8. Measurement using DC source.

6

Exceeding Expectations in Productivity

Support for a large variety of test fixtures

The E4980A can be used with over thirty
fixtures to meet a variety of evaluation
needs; from materials to SMD components.
Also, built-in compensation functions
minimize the influence of test fixtures.

USB memory support

The front panel USB memory interface
allows you to quickly and easily save state
files, measurement log data, and display
images to an external USB memory device
(mass storage).

PC connectivity

Standard GPIB/LAN/USB control interfaces
provide a variety of paths for controlling
the instrument. Using a LAN cable, you can
even control the E4980A with a computer
and Web browser.

Scanner or handler interface options

The E4980A offers an optically-isolated 9-BIN
handler (Option 201) for integration into
handler systems. A 128-channel scanner
interface (Option 301) facilitates applica­tions requiring a component scanner. Both
interfaces have standard compatibility
with other LCR system instruments (e.g.
4284A/88A/87A, etc.) for easy integration
into systems. The multi-compensation
function enables open/short/load
compensations to perform scanning meas­urements independently in each scanner
channel. This minimizes inconsistency in
measured values between channels for
more accurate measurements throughout
the scanner system.

For users that do not require the ultimate
measurement speed in a short length of
time, an economical, entry model option is
available. The entry model offers the same
level of accuracy only with 2 to 5 times
less speed than the standard model.

Figure 12. The E4980A LCR can conveniently be controlled over LAN with a
computer and a Web browser.

Figure 10. The E4980A LCR offers support for a large variety of test fixtures.

Figure 11. Example of use with USB storage device.

Figure 13. Measurement speed: standard E4980A LCR
vs. economy model E5980A-005 LCR vs. 4284A LCR.

Entry Model (Option E4980A-005)

7

To our 4284A/4279A LCR Users, the E4980A Provides Even Greater Value!

E4980A Precision LCR 4284A Precision LCR 4279A C-V meter

Frequency 20 Hz to 2 MHz 20 Hz to 1 MHz 1 MHz
Test signal level 0 to 2 Vrms/0 to 20 mArms 0 to 2 Vrms/0 to 20 mArms 20 m, 50 m, 100 m,

0 to 20 Vrms/0 to 100 mArms10 to 20 Vrms/0 to 200 mArms2200 m, 500 m, 1 Vrms

Auto level control (ALC) Ye s Ye s N o
DC bias capability Built-in 1.5 V, 2 V Built in 1.5 V, 2 V Built-in ± 38 V

± 40 V

1

± 40 V

2

External bias input

DC source ± 10 V

1

No No

Programmable list sweep 201 points 10 points 51 points
Remote control GPIB, LAN, USB GPIB GPIB
Web browser control Ye s No No
Control commands 4284A compatible 4284A unique 4279A unique
Basic accuracy 0.1 % @ SHORT 0.1 % @ SHORT 0.1 % @ SHORT

0.05 % @ MED/LONG 0.05 % @ MED/LONG

Parameters Cp-D/Q/G/Rp, Cs-D/Q/Rs, Cp-D/Q/G/Rp, Cs-D/Q/Rs, C-D/Q/ESR/G

Lp-D/Q/G/Rp, Ls-D/Q/Rs, R-X, Lp-D/Q/G/Rp, Ls-D/Q/Rs, R-X,
Z-Ød/Ør, G-B, Y-Ød/Ør Z-Ød/Ør, G-B, Y-Ød/Ør

Lp-Rdc1, Ls-Rdc1, Vdc-Idc

1

Measurement time mode Standard model
(SHORT/MED) 330 ms/380 ms @ 20 Hz 1500 ms/1500 ms @ 20 Hz 10 ms @ 1 MHz (List

100 ms/180 ms @100 Hz 270 ms/400 ms @ 100 Hz sweep mode, bias ON)
20 ms/110 ms @ 1 kHz 40 ms/190 ms@ 1 kHz

7.7 ms/92 ms @ 10 kHz 30 ms/180 ms @ 10 kHz

5.7 ms/89 ms@ 100 kHz 30 ms/180 ms @ 100 kHz

5.6 ms/88 ms @ 1 MHz 30 ms/180 ms @ 1 MHz

5.6 ms/88 ms @ 2 MHz

Entry model (E4980A-005)

1040 ms/1150 ms @ 20 Hz
240 ms/380 ms @100 Hz
37 ms/200 ms @ 1 kHz
25 ms/180 ms @ 10 kHz
23 ms/180 ms @ 100 kHz
23 ms/180 ms @ 1 MHz
23 ms/180 ms @ 2 MHz

Storage devices Internal/USB memory Internal/memory card Internal
Cable lengths 0, 1, 2, 4 m 0, 1, 23, 43m 0, 1, 2 m
Cabinet dimensions (mm) 370 (W) x 105 (H) x 390 (D) mm 426 (W) x 177 (H) x 498 (D) mm 426 (W) x 177 (H) x 498 (D) mm
Weight 5.3 kg 15 kg 15 kg

1. Option E4980A-001 required.

2. Option 4284A-001 required.

3. Option 4284A-006 required.

Enhanced test efficiency

Both the Agilent 4284A Precision LCR
Meter and 4279A 1 MHz C-V Meter have
long been recognized as industry standard
equipment for a wide range of impedance
measurement applications.

The E4980A LCR combines fast, accurate
measurements with powerful features to
enhance your measurement efficiency and
make your job easier.

High compatibility to ease migration

Almost all E4980A functions are compatible
with the 4284A and 4279A, enabling users
to migrate to the E4980A with ease. For
detailed migration information, refer to
the technical overview, Migrating from

an Agilent 4284A to an Agilent E4980A
Precision LCR Meter and Migrating from an
Agilent 4279A to an Agilent E4980A
Precision LCR Meter available on our Web

site. www.agilent.com/find/E4980A

Key specifications and function compatibility

Ordering Information

Interface related options (select two of four options below)

2

Power/DC bias related options (select one of two options below)

E4980A Precision LCR Meter, 20 Hz to 2 MHz

(ultimate accuracy and speed)

E4980A-005 Entry Model Precision LCR

Meter, 20 Hz to 2 MHz
(same accuracy, less speed )

Power and DC bias enhancement option

E4980A-001 Power and DC bias enhancement

Interface options

E4980A-710 No interface
E4980A-002 Bias current interface
E4980A-201 Handler interface
E4980A-301 Scanner interface

Additional options

E4980A-ABA Add hardcopy user's guide

(English)

E4980A-ABJ Add hardcopy users guide

(Japanese)

E4980A-1A7 Add ISO 17025 compliant

calibration

E4980A-1CM1Add rack mount kit

Web Resources

Visit our E4980A Web site for additional
product information and literature.

www.agilent.com/find/E4980A

LCR meters

www.agilent.com/find/LCRmeters

Impedance analyzers

www.agilent.com/find/impedance

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Product specifications and descriptions in this
document subject to change without notice.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2005, 2006

Printed in USA, January 6, 2006

5989-4235EN

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Quickly choose and use your test equipment
solutions with confidence.

Features E4980A Standard model E4980A-001 Power and DC bias enhancement
AC test signal 0 to 2 Vrms, 20 mArms 0 to 20 Vrms, 100 mArms
DC bias 1.5 V and 2 V 0 to ±40 V, ±100 mA
DC Source — Yes ( 0 to ±10V)
DCR/DCI/DCV —Yes

measurement
Auto bias — Yes

polarity control

Options E4980A-710 E4980A-002 E4980A-201 E4980A-301

No interface Bias current interface Handler interface Scanner interface

Function Blank panel Controls the 42841A bias Enables connection Enables connection

current source to handler system to scanner system

www.agilent.com/find/open

Agilent Open simplifies the process of connecting
and programming test systems to help engineers
design, validate and manufacture electronic prod­ucts. Agilent offers open connectivity for a broad
range of system-ready instruments, open industry
software, PC-standard I/O and global support, which
are combined to more easily integrate test system
development.

1. A carrying handle is included with the
standard option.

2. Two interface slots on the rear panel must
be filled by selecting two different interface
options: E4980A-002, -201, -301 and -710.
However, if only a GPIB interface is
required, two blank panels (2 x E4980A-710
No Interface "blank panel") can be selected.

Agilent Open

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