The Tektronix 576 is a legendary, industry-standard analog semiconductor curve tracer designed for testing two- and three-terminal discrete semiconductor devices. Renowned for its high-power capabilities and precise step generation, the 576 provides real-time characteristic curves of transistors, diodes, thyristors, and other solid-state components. With its standard test fixture, the system delivers up to 220 watts of peak power, while the optional 176 pulsed high-current fixture extends pulsed collector sweep capability up to 200 amps peak for heavy-duty power semiconductor testing.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | Analog X-Y outputs (rear panel) |
| Display | CRT with 10x10 division illuminated graticule and automated scale factor readout |
| Warm-up Time | 20 minutes for specified accuracy |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100V / 115V / 120V / 200V / 230V / 240V AC (selectable ±10%), 48 to 66 Hz, ~350 W |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +50°C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 292 mm × 381 mm × 584 mm |
| Weight | 32 kg (70 lbs) |
Collector Supply
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Collector Supply Voltage Ranges | 15 V, 75 V, 350 V, 1500 V |
| Max Continuous Peak Current (15 V Range) | 10 A |
| Max Continuous Peak Current (75 V Range) | 2 A |
| Max Continuous Peak Current (350 V Range) | 500 mA |
| Max Continuous Peak Current (1500 V Range) | 100 mA |
| Series Resistance Range | 0.3 Ω to 6.5 MΩ |
| Max Peak Power (Standard Fixture) | Up to 220 W |
| Pulsed Peak Power (176 Fixture) | Selectable 10 W, 100 W, or 1000 W |
| Collector Supply Pulsed Peak Current (15 V Range) | 200 A (with 176 high-current fixture) |
| Collector Supply Pulsed Peak Current (75 V Range) | 40 A (with 176 high-current fixture) |
| Collector Supply Pulsed Peak Current (350 V Range) | 8 A (with 176 high-current fixture) |
| Collector Supply Polarity | +, -, AC, or Leakage |
| Collector Supply Operating Modes | Normal Sweep, DC, Single Sweep |
Step Generator
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Step Generator Current Mode Step Range | 5 nA/step to 200 mA/step |
| Step Generator Current Mode Max Current | X20 amplitude setting (2 A max at 200 mA/step, 1.5 A max at 100 mA/step) |
| Step Generator Current Mode Max Voltage | At least 10 V |
| Step Generator Current Mode Max Opposing Offset Current | X10 amplitude setting or 10 mA, whichever is less |
| Step Generator Current Mode Max Opposing Voltage | Limited at 1 V to 3 V |
| Step Generator Voltage Mode Step Range | 5 mV/step to 2 V/step |
| Step Generator Voltage Mode Max Voltage | X20 amplitude setting (40 V maximum) |
| Step Generator Voltage Mode Max Current | At least 2 A at 10 V (derating linearly to 10 mA at 40 V) |
| Step Generator Voltage Mode Max Opposing Offset Voltage | X10 amplitude setting |
| Step Generator Voltage Mode Max Opposing Current | Limited at 5 mA to 20 mA |
| Steps per Family | 1 to 10 |
| Step Polarity | Positive or Negative |
| Step Rate | Line frequency or twice line frequency |
| Step Generator Current Step Range | 5 nA to 200 mA per step (using 0.1× multiplier) |
| Step Generator Voltage Step Range | 5 mV to 2 V per step (using 0.1× multiplier) |
| Step Generator Offset Range | -10 to +10 steps (continuously variable) |
| Step Generator Offset Control | 10-turn potentiometer, 0 to 10× step amplitude |
Pulsed Step Generator (176 Fixture)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pulsed Step Max Current (176 Fixture) | 20 A peak (200 x amplitude setting or 20 A, whichever is less) |
| Pulsed Step Max Voltage (176 Fixture) | At least 3 V up to 10 A, 2 V up to 20 A |
| Pulsed Step Width (176 Fixture) | 300 µs or 80 µs |
| Pulsed Step Offset (176 Fixture) | Pulsed when selected |
Test Fixtures & Accessories
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard Test Fixture Configuration | Plug-in fixture with two sets of five-pin test terminals |
| Standard Test Fixture Controls | Emitter Grounded/Base Grounded switch, Left-Off-Right switch |
| Standard Test Fixture I/O | Step Gen Output, Ext Base or Emitter input |
| Standard Test Fixture Compatibility | Six-pin universal, three-pin, and Kelvin high-power transistor adapters |
| Pulsed High-Current Fixture Model | 176 |
| Programmable Test Fixture Model | 172 |
| Safety Interlock Protection | Protective microswitches and acrylic shield protect operator from 75 V, 350 V, and 1500 V ranges |
Deflection System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Vertical Collector Current sensitivity | 1 µA/div to 2 A/div |
| Horizontal Collector Voltage Sensitivity | 50 mV/div to 200 V/div |
| Deflection System Accuracy | ±3% or better |
| Vertical Collector Current Range | 1 µA/div to 2 A/div (in 1-2-5 sequence) |
| Horizontal Collector Voltage Range | 50 mV/div to 200 V/div (in 1-2-5 sequence) |
| Horizontal Base Voltage Range | 50 mV/div to 2 V/div (in 1-2-5 sequence) |
Display & Controls
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| CRT Size & Design | 6.5-inch diagonal, post-deflection accelerating electrostatic CRT |
| Calibrated Display Offset | Up to 10 divisions, horizontal or vertical |
| Display Verification Checks | Dedicated Zero and Calibration pushbuttons |
Physical & General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Cooling Method | Forced air ventilation via rear-panel fan |
CRT Display
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| CRT Phosphor Type | P31 |
Power
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Power Consumption | 310 W |
| Line Voltage Settings | 100 V / 110 V / 120 V / 200 V / 220 V / 240 V AC (selectable) |
| Line Frequency Range | 48 Hz to 66 Hz |
Display
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| CRT Readout System | Fiber-optic digital readout of vertical sensitivity, horizontal sensitivity, and step generator values |
Technology
Analog / CRT
Applications
Discrete Semiconductor Parameter Analysis
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