Nifty Test Equipment

[N1LAF]

(Saw some of this at the Dayville Hamfest)

Atlas DCA Pro - Model DCA75 - Advanced Semiconductor Analyser with Curve Tracing

http://www.peakelec.co.uk/art/dca-pro-with-tip110-350px.jpg

Connect the leads to the semiconductor device, and it will tell you what it is and what it's gain/parameters are.

Link: http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/dca75-dca-pro.html


Transistors (including Darlingtons), Silicon and Germanium types. Measures gain, VBE and leakage.
MOSFETs, enhancement mode and depletion mode types. Measure on-threshold (at 5mA) and approx transconductance (for span of 3mA-5mA).
JFETs, including normally off SiC types. Measures pinch-off voltage (at 1uA) and approx transconductance (for span of 3mA-5mA).
IGBTs (insulated gate bipolar transistors). Measures on-threshold (at 5mA).
Diodes and Diode networks.
LEDs and bicolour LEDs (2 lead and 3 lead types).
Zener Diodes with measurement of zener voltage up to 9V at 5mA.
Voltage regulators (measures regulation voltage <8V, drop-out voltage, quiescent current). Note that some regulators are not stable without their decoupling caps and/or minimum load and cannot be tested by the DCA75.
Triacs and Thyristors that require less than 10mA of gate current and holding current.

Has a USB Interface too!

Curve Tracing
When connected to a PC using the supplied USB cable, a range of low current curve-tracing functions can be performed. Various graph types are available, with more to follow:

Bipolar transistor output characteristics, IC vs VCE.
Bipolar transistor input characteristics, VBE vs IB.
MOSFET transfer function, ID vs VGS.
JFET transfer function, ID vs VGS.
PN junction I/V curves, forward and reverse options (for Zener diodes).

http://www.anatekcorp.com/images/dca75-3.gif

Specs here, Can be purchased here (USA): http://www.anatekcorp.com/atlasdca75.htm
Price: $169.00

[N1LAF]

Atlas LCR40 Passive Component Analyzer
$129.00

http://qsradio.com/METER%20LCR40%20%20ver%202.jpg

Suppliers
1. Anatek Corp. http://www.anatekcorp.com/atlaslcr.htm#thumb $129.00
2. Quicksilver Radio. http://qsradio.com/test%20equipment.htm $149.73

The Atlas LCR is an advanced instrument that greatly simplifies the testing of passive components. Traditional LCR bridges are inherently complex and very time consuming to use. The Atlas LCR does everything automatically, it tells you the component type in addition to component value data. What’s more, the Atlas LCR automatically selects the best signal level and frequency for the particular component under test.

Product Page: http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_lcr40.html

[N1LAF]

USB Based Logic Analyzer

34 channels, 500 Mhz Timing

Features include multi-level sequential trigger capability, qualified state-mode sampling with adjustable setup/hold window, selectable logic sense and threshold, built-in interpreters for CAN, I2C, SPI, 1-wire, RS232 and ISO7816-3 (SIM/Smart Card) protocols and much more.

http://www.pctestinstruments.com/images/logicport_blendc.jpg

500MHz Timing-Mode (Internal Clock)
200MHz State-Mode (External Clock)
Advanced Multi-Level Triggering
Real-Time Sample Compression
+6V to -6V Adjustable Logic Threshold
CAN, I2C, SPI, RS232, 1-Wire and more
Built-in 300MHz Frequency Counter
USB 1.1 and 2.0 Compatible

http://www.pctestinstruments.com/images/screenshotc.png

[N8YX]

That LCR meter has my attention.

[kb2vxa]

"Traditional LCR bridges are inherently complex and very time consuming to use."

Complex yes, time consuming no. Complex in the sense the Wayne-Kerr I used had a wide range of frequencies and voltages plus a Kelvin clip setup but very easy to use. Trouble is it cost a bit more than $40,000. (;->) That was the digital one, the analog General Radio 1630AV L bridge had a wider range of frequencies, voltages and currents (regulated and continuously variable) and a high current adapter to be used with an external DC supply but it too has a big price tag, like $7,500. Not hard to operate either for one who likes... knobs.