Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces that it will release the GS820 Multi-Channel Source Measure Unit onto the market on June 22. The GS820 is a programmable DC voltage and current generator that is capable of high-speed and highly accurate measurement of the voltage, current and other characteristics of electronic equipment such as semiconductor devices and electronic components.

The GS820 is a new product line in Yokogawa's source measure unit product series and is an upgrade to the single-channel analog signal input/output GS610 Source Measure Unit. Two models of the GS820 are being released: a standard model and a digital signal input/output model. With its capability to perform two-channel signal input/output, the GS820 can measure multi-terminal and multifunctional semiconductor devices. The GS820 features the industry's fastest testing speeds and is capable of highly accurate (±0.02%) voltage and current generation. This product also features the same USB storage function that has been so popular with the GS610.

Development Background
Communications devices and information appliances are growing more sophisticated and compact as the result of factors such as the trend toward portable applications. This has been made possible by the development of multifunctional LSIs made up of diodes, condensers, and other electronic components.

Since the GS820 is capable of performing two-channel signal input/output, it can simultaneously measure the multiple functions of today's highly sophisticated semiconductor devices and electronic components. Up until now, anyone needing a two channel device with digital input/output, ±0.02% accuracy voltage/current generation and measurement, and the capability of easily building a test environment had no choice other than to use an expensive multifunctional semiconductor parameter analyzer. As the GS820 focuses on the minimum necessary voltage and current generation/measurement functions, it has been possible to achieve improvements in operability while keeping the unit price down.

Another industry trend has been toward achieving high functionality and reducing power consumption through analog to digital signal conversion and processing in the semiconductor devices that are used in products such as communications devices and information appliances. Demand for semiconductor devices that integrate both analog and digital signal processing circuits is expected to continue to increase. A single unit of the digital input/output GS820 model can measure semiconductor devices that have both analog and digital signal processing circuits.

Product Features

1.Compatible with multifunctional devices and electronic components

The GS820 can simultaneously generate and measure two different types of signals. Since up to four units can be connected to the master unit, it is possible to expand input/output to a maximum of 10 channels. It is this capability which makes it possible for the GS820 to simultaneously measure plural functions of multifunctional semiconductor devices.

2.The most advanced high-speed testing in the industry

Signal output switchover, signal output range switchover, and measurement data acquisition times can each be measured in approximately 1 ms, the fastest in the industry. The GS820 can significantly reduce takt time (the amount of time needed to perform one measurement) on the production line, not to mention the amount of time required to develop a product, thus realizing reductions in production costs.

Major Target Markets
Manufacturers of analog and digital semiconductor devices and electronic components, and electronic equipment manufacturers who use these items in their products.

Applications
Evaluation of the electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices and electronic components in research and development Inspection to determine the quality of semiconductor elements and electronic devices on the production line.