The Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent / HP) 4156A is a high-precision semiconductor parameter analyzer engineered for accurate device characterization. It comes equipped with four built-in High-Resolution Source/Monitor Units (HRSMUs), two Voltage Source Units (VSUs), two Voltage Monitor Units (VMUs), and a Ground Unit (GNDU), delivering sub-femptoampere current measurement and microvolt-level voltage control for precise parametric testing.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | GPIB (HP-IB), Parallel (Centronics), External I/O, Interlock, Analog Monitor Output |
| Display | 9-inch color CRT |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 90 V to 264 V AC, 47 Hz to 63 Hz, 450 VA maximum power consumption |
| Operating Temperature | 10°C to 40°C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 426 mm × 235 mm × 524 mm |
| Weight | 21 kg |
System Configuration & Architecture
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Mainframe Module Capacity | 4x HRSMU, 2x VSU, 2x VMU, 1x GNDU |
| Maximum Supported Source Monitor Units | 6 (with 41501A/B expander) |
| Ground Unit Output | 0 V ±100 µV |
Source Monitor Unit Specs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Voltage Range (HRSMU) | ±100 V |
| Maximum Current Range (HRSMU) | ±100 mA |
| Voltage Programming Resolution (HRSMU) | 100 µV (on 2 V range) |
| Current Programming Resolution (HRSMU) | 10 fA (on 10 pA range) |
| Voltage Measurement Resolution (HRSMU) | 2 µV (on 2 V range) |
| Current Measurement Resolution (HRSMU) | 1 fA (on 10 pA range) |
| Maximum Output Power per Channel (HRSMU) | 2 W |
| Sensing Configuration Type | Kelvin (4-wire connection) |
| Guarding and Shielding Method | Triaxial guarding |
High-Resolution SMU Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Current Measurement Range | 10 pA |
| Minimum Current Resolution | 1 fA |
| Minimum Voltage Resolution | 2 µV |
Voltage Source Unit Specs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Voltage Source Unit (VSU) Channels | 2 |
| VSU Output Voltage Range | ±20 V |
| VSU Voltage Resolution | 20 mV |
| VSU Maximum Output Current | 100 mA |
Voltage Monitor Unit Specs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Voltage Monitor Unit (VMU) Channels | 2 |
| VMU Voltage Resolution | 0.2 µV (on 0.2 V range) |
Measurement Modes & Sweep Capabilities
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Supported Sweep Modes | Linear, Logarithmic, Single, Double, Pulsed Sweep |
| Maximum Sweep Step Count | 1001 points |
| Hold Time Range | 0 to 655.35 s |
| Delay Time Range | 0 to 65.535 s |
| Pulse Width Range | 0.5 ms to 100 ms |
| Pulse Period Range | 5 ms to 1 s |
| Minimum Sampling Interval | 60 µs |
| Maximum Sampling Points | 10001 points |
| Stress Force Time Range | 1 ms to 65535 s |
Inputs, Outputs & Interfacing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Triaxial Connector Count | 8x HRSMU triaxial connectors (4x Force, 4x Sense), 1x GNDU triaxial connector |
| Ground Unit Connector Type | Triaxial |
| Safety Interlock Connector | 6-pin connector |
| Analog Monitor Output Ports | 2 channels (BNC connectors) |
| Trigger Input and Output Ports | BNC connectors |
Software, Control & Data Analysis
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Built-in Storage Media Type | 3.5-inch Floppy Disk Drive (FDD) |
| Math Function Support | Built-in mathematical and automated parameter extraction analysis |
Electrical, Physical & Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -30°C to 60°C |
SMU Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Built-in HRSMU Channels | 4 |
System Configuration
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Mainframe Channels | 8 (4 x HRSMU, 2 x VSU, 2 x VMU) |
System Expansion
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Supported Expander Unit | HP / Agilent 41501A or 41501B |
Measurement Capabilities
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Quasi-Static C-V (QSCV) Support | Yes |
| VMU Measurement Modes | Single-ended, Differential |
| Ranging Modes | Auto, Manual |
Power Requirements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Line Power Frequency | 47 Hz to 63 Hz |
| Line Power Voltage | 90 V to 132 V, 198 V to 264 V (automatic selection) |
Operating Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended Warm-up Time | 40 minutes |
Measurement Settings
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Integration Time Modes | Short, Medium, Long |
Ground Unit (GNDU)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| GNDU Maximum Sink Current | 1.6 A |
| GNDU Output Voltage | 0 V ± 100 μV |
Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| External Keyboard Connector Type | Mini-DIN 6-pin (PS/2) |
| GP-IB Compliance Standards | IEEE 488.1, IEEE 488.2 |
Storage
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Supported Floppy Disk Formats | 3.5-inch (1.44 MB MS-DOS / 720 KB LIF) |
Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Safety Compliance Standards | CSA C22.2 No. 1010.1, IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1 |
| EMC Compliance Standards | EN 55011 Group 1 Class A, EN 50082-1 |
Technology
Semiconductor Parameter Analysis
Applications
Semiconductor Device Characterization and Parametric Testing