Charles Hansen's Semiconductor Tester

[spzzzzkt]

Hi,

I finally tracked down a copy of Charles Hansen's "Semiconductor Tester" article from Popular Electronics May 1999. The device is a curve tracer which hooks up to a 'scope and looks an easy build given all the parts are still available.

I was curious if anyone had built this and could offer an opinion? Were there any suggested updates or errata for the design?

cheers
Paul

 

[Rembulan]

Hello,
I found two kind of curve tracer in the market one with own display and other use osciloscope as display. the problem are they are expensive to my wallet I dreaming one day some one can take care to write a program to made a pc control with cheap budget curve tracer

 

[spzzzzkt]

Don't know if you've seen this device:

http://www.arrl.org/qex/2006/07/qx7steber.pdf
software is pretty basic but a free download.

If Charlie has no objection's i'll post the schematic and part list for his curve tracer.

 

[Rembulan]

hello,
already tried it honestly its just a basic unit not enough voltage and facility ?
I think I ask so much for something free

 

[CircularRule]

I looked to find the original publication of Hansen's Semiconductor curve tracer, but could'n find it anywhere.

I am currently involved in collecting informations to built a curve tracer adaptor for X-Y Oscilloscope.

Please, can someone direct me to Hansen's construction project?

Thanks!

 

[mjf]

hello.
if i remember correctly elektor had a transistor curve tracer for oscopes in the nineties..............
greetings..................

 

[bear]

Erno Borbely published a sophisticated design, iirc.

Fwiw.

Also you can look up the schematic for a B&K (the test equipment company, not the mic) transistor curve tracer that used an external scope. It was useful and fairly simple.

_-_-bear

 

[mlloyd1]

bear:

thanks, that was a good suggestion!


i'll save some of you some work.
one link is here

mlloyd1

 

[CircularRule]

bear,

I imagine you are referring to the B&K Precision 501A model. I had the informations about this one.

mlloyd1,

When I click to your link, I am redirected to this thread. I don't know if the link is bad, or if I am not yet out of the "initiation purgatory" period... There is things, like sending PM, that I am not allowed to do at this moment.

Thanks for your inputs, I really appreciate it.

 

[courage]

Very usefull info.

mmloyd 1,

Link indeed refers to this thread
Can you check again and repost?

Thanks so far.

 

[mlloyd1]

all:

i'm sorry, you're right about the link. i have no idea how that occurred.
let's try again:


http://bama.edebris.com/download/b&k/501a/501a.pdf

mlloyd1

bear:

thanks, that was a good suggestion!


i'll save some of you some work.
one link is here

mlloyd1

 

[CircularRule]

I think I could possibly find a copy of the original paper for the Hansen's curve tracer at a local library.

But before I investigate any further, I would like to know what are the specifications of this tracer. What kind of curve(s) it may shows, what are the measurement ranges, etc.

Anybody knows?

Thanks!

 

[CircularRule]

I was curious if anyone had built this and could offer an opinion? Were there any suggested updates or errata for the design?

cheers
Paul

Paul,

What is your interest in this kind of measurement tool? Do you have a scope?

I started my construction project.

It would be nice to share what we know.

 

[CircularRule]

Bump!

What is the maximum breakdown voltage on Hansen's tester?

What is the maximum collector current?

Is it a toy or a serious tester?