Summary of ROHDE & SCHWARZ ENTERS SOURCE MEASURE UNIT MARKET WITH THE NEW R&S NGU
Rohde & Schwarz introduced two high-precision source measure units (SMUs), the two-quadrant R&S NGU201 and four-quadrant R&S NGU401, enabling simultaneous sourcing and measuring of voltage and current. Both offer wide dynamic ranges, six current ranges (10 µA to 10 A), high accuracy (up to 0.025%), fast recovery under 30 µs, and variable capacitance compensation (1 µF–470 µF). The NGU201 suits wireless device battery tests with automatic positive-voltage switching; the NGU401 also handles negative-voltage switching for broader power-supply types. Voltage resolution reaches 1 µV (6 V range) and 10 µV (20 V range); devices up to 20 V, 8 A, 60 W supported.
Parts used in the R&S NGU Series:
- R&S NGU201 source measure unit (two-quadrant)
- R&S NGU401 source measure unit (four-quadrant)
- Current feedback amplifier technology (integrated)
- Six current ranges circuitry (10 µA to 10 A ranges)
- Voltage measurement circuitry (6 V and 20 V ranges)
- Variable capacitance mode hardware (adjustable 1 µF to 470 µF)
- Control loop load with optimized recovery components
- Measurement resolution components (100 pA to 10 µA resolutions)
With two new source measure units (SMU), Rohde & Schwarz enters a market previously not addressed by the power products of the test and measurement specialist. The performance of the new R&S NGU201 and R&S NGU401 SMUs enables simultaneous sourcing and measuring of currents and voltages with high precision. The two-quadrant R&S NGU201 addresses wireless device battery tests and automatically switches from source mode to sink mode at a defined positive input voltage. The four-quadrant R&S NGU401 can also switch at negative voltages, supporting source measurements for a vast range of power supply types.
The steady extension of the Rohde & Schwarz portfolio of specialty power supplies continues with the first two models in the R&S NGU series of high-precision SMUs. The instruments’ innovative current feedback amplifier technology provides both maximum sensitivity and accuracy to reliably measure currents from nA to A in a single sweep. To handle rapidly changing load conditions typical of battery-powered communications devices switching between sleep and transmit modes, the R&S NGU features an optimized control loop load providing a best-in-class recovery time of under 30 μs with minimum overshoot.
The R&S NGU SMUs include six current ranges from 10 µA with 100 pA resolution to 10 A with 10 µA resolution. For all ranges, accuracy up to 0.025 % is achieved. Voltage is measured with 10 µV resolution in the 20 V range and 1 µV resolution in the 6 V range. For the typical measurement problem of capacitance at the input to the device under test, the R&S NGU features a variable capacitance mode adjustable in steps from 1 µF to 470 µF, compensating the capacitance, so that the current is displayed as if it was measured directly at the device under test. Devices up to 20 V, 8 A, and 60 W are all supported.
Read more: ROHDE & SCHWARZ ENTERS SOURCE MEASURE UNIT MARKET WITH THE NEW R&S NGU
- What models has Rohde & Schwarz introduced in the SMU market?
The R&S NGU201 (two-quadrant) and R&S NGU401 (four-quadrant). - Can the R&S NGU SMUs source and measure simultaneously?
Yes, they enable simultaneous sourcing and measuring of currents and voltages with high precision. - What current measurement ranges do the R&S NGU SMUs provide?
They include six current ranges from 10 µA with 100 pA resolution up to 10 A with 10 µA resolution. - What voltage and current limits do the instruments support?
They support devices up to 20 V, 8 A, and 60 W. - How fast is the recovery time of the R&S NGU SMUs?
They provide a recovery time of under 30 µs with minimum overshoot. - Does the R&S NGU handle input capacitance effects?
Yes, they feature a variable capacitance mode adjustable from 1 µF to 470 µF to compensate input capacitance. - What accuracy and voltage resolution do the R&S NGU SMUs achieve?
They achieve accuracy up to 0.025%; voltage is measured with 10 µV resolution in the 20 V range and 1 µV resolution in the 6 V range. - How does the R&S NGU201 differ functionally from the NGU401?
The NGU201 is two-quadrant and switches from source to sink at defined positive input voltage; the NGU401 is four-quadrant and can also switch at negative voltages.
