Description:
The measurement process is controlled by the digital control (measurement arbiter) unit. This unit is an autonomous programmed control equipment. The external computer prepares the program words defining time intervals and power switching, and measured data are sent back to the external computer after finishing the measurement process.
The content of the program memory determines both the sampling rate and the on-off switching of the power driver units. These parameters can be changed from program-word to program-word: This means that the time interval between the actual and the next sampling can be individually determined (1µs, 2µs, 4µs, up to 8s) and the dissipation can be switched on/off individually for each sampling period. This hardware facility offers an extreme versatility in the measurement sequences. This is exploited e.g. for the sampling on a quasi-logarithmic time scale.
The DIGC1 unit has a control light on its front plate indicating that a measurement process is running and a STOP button.
The STOP button interrupts the measurement in progress and sets all power drivers to zero voltage and current, respectively. This way the devices under test can be protected from excessive thermal shock when observing abnormal conditions.
For more details on programming the digital control modules consult the T3Ster Measurement Control Reference Guide.