Keithley 708B Single-slot Semiconductor Switch Mainframe

Semiconductor Switch Matrix  Mainframes

The six-slot Model 707B and single-slot Model 708B Semiconductor Switch Matrix Mainframes extend Keithley’s decades-long commitment to innovation in switch systems optimized for semiconductor test applications. These mainframes build upon the strengths of their popular predecessors, the Models 707/707A and 708/708A, adding new features and capabilities designed to speed and simplify system integration and test development. New control options and interfaces offer system builders even greater flexibility when configuring high performance switching systems for use in both lab and production environments. Just as important, both new mainframes are compatible with the popular switch cards developed for the Models 707A and 708A, simplifying and minimizing the cost of switch system migration.

Faster Command-to-Connect

High performance Model 707B and 708B semiconductor switch matrix mainframes slash the time from command to connection, offering significantly faster test sequences and overall system throughput than Keithley’s earlier 707A and 708A mainframes.

Optimized for Easy Integration with Existing Test Systems

To minimize migration issues for current users of Model 707A and 708A mainframes, the Model 707B and 708B are designed for command emulation with Models 707A and 708A. The 707B and 708B also support the popular switch matrix cards developed for the Model 707A and 708A, so there’s no need to purchase new cards to take advantage of the new mainframes:

• Model 7174A Low Current Matrix Card: This 8×12 card is designed for semiconductor research, development, and production applications that demand high quality switching of I-V and C-V signals. Its low leakage and minimal dielectric absorption ensure that key device measurements can be performed many times faster than with earlier switching technologies.Its superior low current performance makes it ideal for use with both Models 2635A and 2636A System SourceMeter Instruments for adding high speed I-V source and measurement capabilities and for accessing the I-V and C-V measurement capabilities of the Model 4200-SCS parametric analyzer.

• Model 7072 Semiconductor Matrix Card: This 8×12 switch supports the low level and high impedance measurements encountered in semiconductor parametric tests on wafers and devices. It provides two low current paths with just 1pA maximum offset current for sensitive sub-picoamp measurements, and two other paths optimized for measuring C-V characteristics from DC to 1MHz. Four more high quality signal paths with <20pA offset current provide for general-purpose signal switching up to 100nA or 200V.

• Model 7072-HV High Voltage Semiconductor Matrix Card: Like the Model 7072, the 7072-HV is designed to handle low level, high voltage, and high impedance signals. It provides two signal paths capable of switching 1300V with less than 1pA of offset current, so it’s ideal for switching the high voltage signals encountered in breakdown measurements or oxide integrity testing. Two paths are optimized for C-V measurements from DC to 1MHz or for switching low currents with a common ground. Four additional high quality signal paths with less than 20pA offset current provide for signal switching to 200V.

• Model 7173-50 High Frequency, 2-pole, 4×12 Matrix Card: The Model 7173-50 provides 200MHz bandwidth and a rise time of <2ns. Offset voltage is <15µV per crosspoint, and offset current is <200pA. Its combined AC and DC capabilities make it ideal for mixed-signal applications, such as testing ADCs or DACs, which involve measuring both digital and analog signals.

Like their predecessors, the Models 707B/708B are specifically designed for the requirements of both semiconductor lab and production test environments, delivering ultra low current switching performance using standard triax connectors and cables. For automating smaller test systems with a limited number of pins and instruments, the Model 708B supports a single switch card with up to 8 rows and 12 columns (8×12). For applications requiring higher switch counts, the Model 707B can accommodate up to six 8×12 cards, which can be connected via an internal backplane or jumpers to form larger matrices. Both mainframes also support mixed signal switching for both DC and RF (up to 200MHz) signals.

Both mainframes offer a variety of manual operation and remote programming functions via either the front panel controls or a choice of interfaces. For example, for manual operation, such as when experimenting with a new switching configuration, the updated front panel interface allows labeling switch card rows (instruments) and columns (pins) alphanumerically, which simplifies keeping track of what’s connected to each crosspoint. An LED crosspoint display makes it easy to identify whether a specific channel is open or closed, as well as to determine which slots are occupied and which cards are currently in use. A two-line display shows both error messages and user-defined messages, and displays control menus and open/closed channel messages.

The Models 707B and 708B are ideal companion products for systems that incorporate Series 2600A instrumentation, such as Keithley’s ACS and S530 integrated test systems. These mainframes share the same TSP, Lua scripting language, and TSP-Link interface as the Series 2600A and support an ultra low current switch matrix (the Model 7174A) that complements the Model 2636A’s low current sensitivity. The Models 707B/708B offer test  system builders a switch matrix that is fast, scriptable, and works seamlessly with all Series 2600A models.

• Support for semiconductor device characterization and process control monitoring
• Fully automated testing of a wide range of electronic components in both lab and production environments