Keysight Technologies B2900A Series Configuration Manual

Keysight B2900A Series

Precision Source/Measure Unit

Conguration Guide

Cost-effective source/measurement
solutions offer superior performance and
a best-in-class graphical user interface.

02 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit - Conguration Guide

B2901
1

210 V

3.03

200 V

10.5

1
1

100
100

20

Single, graph
B2902

2

210 V

3.03

200 V

10.5

1
1

100
100

20

Single, dual, graph

B29
1

210 V

3.03

200 V

10.5

10
100

10
100

10

Single, graph, roll

B2912
2

210 V

3.03

200 V

10.5

10
100

10
100

10

Single, dual, graph,
roll

1.

Product Reference CD

1ea

Contains electronic user manuals files, drivers and software

2.

Keysight I/O Libraries CD

1ea

Contains driver and installation software for the Keysight I/O library

3.

Quick Reference

1ea

Printed reference for quick startup (English)

4.

Certificate of Calibration
(without test data)

1ea

Certificate of calibration (without actual test data). If you need the test
data, please specify option UK6.

5.

USB cable
1ea

Congure Your Keysight B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit

The Keysight B2900A Series Source/Measure Unit (SMU) series contains the following four models.

– B2901A Precision Source/Measure Unit, 1ch, 100fA resolution, 210V, 3A DC/10.5A pulse
– B2902A Precision Source/Measure Unit, 2ch, 100fA resolution, 210V, 3A DC/10.5A pulse
– B2911A Precision Source/Measure Unit, 1ch, 10fA resolution, 210V, 3A DC/10.5A pulse
– B2912A Precision Source/Measure Unit, 2ch, 10fA resolution, 210V, 3A DC/10.5A pulse

This conguration guide has step-by-step instructions to help you congure an SMU and its related accessories to meet specic test
requirements. For detailed specications, refer to the B2900A SMU series data sheet (publication number 5990-7009EN).

Step 1. Select B2900A Series model

There are two key parameters you need to select up-front: the number of measurement channels (one or two) and the SMU perfor­mance level. The B2900A series comes in both standard (B2901A/B2902A) and high-performance (B2911A/B2912A) versions. Note:
After purchase it is not possible to upgrade an SMU to have more channels or to the high-performance version (if you currently have
the standard version).

Product
Number

A

A

11A

A

The following items are supplied standard with each B2900A series SMU:

Number of
channels

Max output

DC Pulse

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

Min
source

resolution

pA

V

pA

V

fA

nV

fA

nV

Description Qty. Additional Information

Min
measure

resolution

fA
nV

fA
nV

fA

nV

fA

nV

Min
timing

interval

s

s

s

s

Viewing mode

USB cable (1.8 m). Orderable parts number is 8121-1696.

03 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit - Conguration Guide

Paper Manual (Use
English

B2901A-AB
B2902A-AB

B29
B2912A-AB

Printed copy

B2901A-ABJ
B2902A-ABJ

B29
B2912A-ABJ

Printed copy

Paper Manual (Use
Chinese

Paper Manual (Use
Chinese

B2901A-AB2
B2902A-AB2

B29
B2912A-AB2

Printed copy

Rack Mount Kit

B2901A-1CM
B2902A-1CM

B29
B2912A-1CM

Rack mount kit for the B2900
2U height EI

Paper Manual (Use
English

Step 2. Add optional localized User’s Guide

The B2900A manuals (User’s Guide, etc.) are included in PDF format on the CD-ROM shipped with the B2900A. If you need printed
manuals then they can be ordered using the part numbers shown below.

Description Product Number Additional Information

r’s Guide),

Paper Manual (User’s Guide), Japanese

r’s Guide), Traditional

r’s Guide), Simplified

Download the Product Manual from the
Keysight website

11A-ABA

11A-ABJ

B2901A-AB0
B2902A-AB0

B2911A-AB0
B2912A-AB0

11A-AB2

B2901A-0B0
B2902A-0B0
B2911A-0B0
B2912A-0B0

A
A

A

Printed copy

No printed copy

The EasyEXPERT group+ software manuals (User’s Guide) are also included in PDF format on the CD-ROM shipped with the B2900A.
If you need printed manuals then they can be ordered using the part numbers shown below.

Description Product Number Additional Information

r’s Guide),

Paper Manual (User’s Guide),
Japanese

Step 3. Select optional accessories

Step 3-1. Choose a rack mount kit (optional)

Description Product Number Additional Information

B1540-90007
B1540-90021

B1540-97007
B1540-97021

11A-1CM

Printed copy, Volume 1 for EasyEXPERT group+

Printed copy, Volume 2 for EasyEXPERT group+

Printed copy, Volume 1 for EasyEXPERT group+
Printed copy, Volume 2 for EasyEXPERT group+

A series.

A and 1/2 rack width.

04 | Keysight | B2900A Series Precision Source/Measure Unit - Conguration Guide

Step 3. Select optional accessories (continued)

Step 3-2. Determine if you need to make 4-wire or guarded measurements

The B2900A SMUs support both 2-wire and 4-wire measurement. The default connection scheme is the simpler 2-wire conguration,
which uses only the force terminals. In 2-wire mode the sense terminals are left open.

If you are measuring very small resistances or applying very large currents then you should use the 4-wire measurement method (also
known as the Kelvin method). This technique uses both the force and sense terminals, and by making the measurement through the
sense terminals (in which no current is owing) the effects of cable resistance are eliminated.

High Force

High Force

High Sense

DUT

DUT

Low Sense

Low Force

Low Force

2-wire connections 4-wire connections

Low current measurements (< 1nA) require guarding to prevent leakage through the measurement cable. The schematic shown below
provides a simplied overview of the guarding technique. Guarded measurements require the use of triaxial cables. A follower (x1)
buffer amplier keeps the guard conductor at the same potential as the center conductor. Since there is no voltage difference, no
current can ow from the center conductor to the guard. Note: In this example, even the test xture has a guarded shield to prevent
leakage at the test xture.

Shield

DUT

A

x1

Force

Guard

Common

Guarding Technique

Guard Shield