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Peak Electronics DCA75 User Manual

Advanced semiconductor component analyser with graphics display and pc connectivity
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GB75-1.4
Peak Atlas DCA Pro
Advanced Semiconductor Component Analyser
with Graphics Display and PC connectivity
Model DCA75
Designed and manufactured with pride in the UK
User Guide
©
Peak Electronic Design Limited 2012/2015
In the interests of development, information in this guide is subject to change without notice - E&OE

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  • Page 1 GB75-1.4 Peak Atlas DCA Pro Advanced Semiconductor Component Analyser with Graphics Display and PC connectivity Model DCA75 Designed and manufactured with pride in the UK User Guide © Peak Electronic Design Limited 2012/2015 In the interests of development, information in this guide is subject to change without notice - E&OE...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Want to use it now? We understand that you want to use your Atlas DCA Pro right now. The unit is ready to go and you should have little need to refer to this user guide, but please make sure that you do at least take a look at the notices on page 5.
  • Page 3 Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Contents (continued) Page PC Software Installation............29 Windows XP Installation ............30 Windows Vista, 7 and 8 Installation ........31 Running the DCA Pro software for the first time ......32 Analysing Semiconductors – PC mode ........33 PC mode - Curve Tracing functions........34 PC mode - Exporting your data..........35 PC mode - Special functions..........36...

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Introduction The Peak Atlas DCA Pro is an advanced semiconductor analyser that combines simplicity, ease of use and a range of advanced features. You can use your DCA Pro on its own or in combination with a laptop or desktop PC. Summary Features: Automatic component type identification and schematic display: •...

  • Page 5: Important Considerations

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Important Considerations Please observe the following guidelines: This instrument must NEVER be connected to powered • equipment/components or equipment/components with any stored energy (e.g. charged capacitors). Failure to comply with this warning may result in personal injury, damage to the equipment under test, damage to your DCA Pro and invalidation of the manufacturer’s warranty.

  • Page 6: Analysing Semiconductors - Standalone Mode

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Analysing Semiconductors – Standalone mode The DCA Pro is designed to analyse discrete, unconnected, unpowered components. This ensures that external connections don’t influence the measured parameters. The three test probes can be connected to the component any way round.
  • Page 7 Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 If the DCA Pro cannot detect any component between any of the test No component probes, the following message will be detected. displayed: If the component is not a supported component type, a faulty component or Unknown/faulty a component that is being tested in-...

  • Page 8: Diodes

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Diodes The DCA Pro will analyse almost any type of diode. Any pair of the three test clips can be connected to the diode, any way round. If the unit detects a single diode, a message similar to the following will be displayed: In this example, the Cathode (symbol of Diode junction...

  • Page 9: Zener Diodes

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Zener Diodes The DCA Pro supports Zener diodes (and Avalanche diodes). Additionally, the instrument can measure the Zener voltage*. Connect any pair of the 3 test leads to the Zener diode. Zener diode Following analysis, the component Red-K Blue-A...

  • Page 10: Diode Networks

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Diode Networks The DCA Pro will identify multiple diode junctions between the probes. For three terminal devices such as SOT-23 diode networks, all three test clips must be connected. The instrument will show the results for each diode junction in turn. Firstly, the unit will show that it has 2 diode junctions found a number of diode junctions:...

  • Page 11: Leds

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 LEDs An LED (light emitting diode) is really just another type of diode, however, the DCA Pro will determine that an LED or LED network has been detected if the diode’s measured forward voltage drop is larger than 1.5V.

  • Page 12: Bicolour Leds (2-Lead Types)

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Bicolour LEDs (2-lead types) Bicolour LEDs are generally available in two main varieties; 2-lead and 3-lead types. This section describes the testing of 2-lead bicolour LEDs. These types are internally connected in inverse parallel (back-to-back).

  • Page 13: Bicolour Leds (3-Lead Types)

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Bicolour LEDs (3-lead types) 3-lead bicolour LEDs are available in common cathode common anode varieties. The DCA Pro supports both types. In the same way as the 2-lead bicolour LED analysis, each internal LED is detailed separately on the DCA Pro screen.

  • Page 14: Bipolar Junction Transistors (Bjts)

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) Bipolar Junction Transistors are simply “conventional” transistors, although variants of these do exist such as Darlingtons, devices with free-wheeling diodes, resistor shunted types and combinations of these types. All of these variations are automatically identified by the DCA Pro and their schematic symbol is displayed on the screen.
  • Page 15 Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Current Gain (h DC current gain (h ) is the ratio of the I -I C Cleak h FE = collector current (less leakage) to the base current for a particular operating = leakage condition.
  • Page 16 Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Base-Emitter Voltage Drop The DC characteristics of the base-emitter junction are displayed, both the base-emitter forward voltage drop (V ) and the base current (I ) used for the measurement. V BE This example shows an NPN base- V BE =0.703V...
  • Page 17 Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Collector Leakage Current The collector current that takes place when no base current is flowing is referred to as Leakage Current. Most modern transistors exhibit Leakage extremely low values of leakage I B = 0 current, often less than 1µA, even for very high collector-emitter voltages.

  • Page 18: Darlington Transistors

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Darlington Transistors If the device is a Darlington transistor (two BJTs connected together), the unit will display a similar message to this: As expected, for Darlington devices NPN Darlington that do not have internal resistors, the Red-B Green-E Blue-C gain (h ) can be very high.
  • Page 19 Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Free Wheeling Diode Some transistors, particularly CRT deflection transistors and many large Darlingtons have a protection diode (“free wheeling diode” or “body diode”) inside their package connected between the collector and emitter. If a free-wheeling diode has been detected, it is shown on the schematic symbol.
  • Page 20 Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Faulty or Very Low Gain Transistors Faulty transistors that exhibit very low gain may cause the DCA Pro to only identify one or more diode junctions within the device. This is because NPN transistors consist of a structure of junctions that behave like a common anode diode network.

  • Page 21: Enhancement Mode Mosfets

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Enhancement Mode MOSFETs MOSFET stands for Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor. Like bipolar transistors, MOSFETs are available in two main types, N-Channel and P-Channel. Most modern MOSFETs are of the Enhancement Mode type, meaning that the bias of the gate-source voltage is always positive (For N-Channel types).

  • Page 22: Depletion Mode Mosfets

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Depletion Mode MOSFETs The fairly rare Depletion Mode MOSFET is very similar to the conventional Junction FET (JFET) except that the gate terminal is insulated from the other two terminals. The input resistance of these devices can typically be greater than 1000MΩ...

  • Page 23: Enhancement Mode Igbts

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Enhancement Mode IGBTs IGBT is an acronym for Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor. It combines the input characteristics of a MOSFET with the output characteristics of a Bipolar Junction Transistor. IGBTs are available in N or P channel types, enhancement mode or depletion mode and with or without a free-wheeling diode.

  • Page 24: Depletion Mode Igbts

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Depletion Mode IGBTs Like MOSFETs, IGBTs are available as enhancement mode and depletion mode types. Depletion mode IGBTs are characterised by the fact that current can flow between the collector and emitter when there is zero voltage across the gate-emitter terminals.

  • Page 25: Junction Fets (Jfets)

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Junction FETs (JFETs) Junction FETs are conventional Field Effect Transistors. The voltage applied across the gate-source terminals controls current between the drain and source terminals. N-Channel JFETs require a negative voltage on their gate with respect to their source, the more negative the voltage, the less current can flow between the drain and source.
  • Page 26 Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 “On” Characteristics The DCA Pro measures the gate-source V GS (on)=-1.10V voltage required to reach the onset of at I D =5.00mA good conduction through the JFET’s drain-source. Good conduction is determined when the drain-source current reaches 5mA.

  • Page 27: Thyristors (Scrs) And Triacs

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Thyristors (SCRs) and Triacs Sensitive low power thyristors (Silicon Controlled Rectifiers - SCRs) and triacs that require gate currents and holding currents of less than 10mA can be identified and analysed with the DCA Pro. Thyristor terminals are the anode (A), cathode (K) and the gate (G).

  • Page 28: Voltage Regulators

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Voltage Regulators Voltage regulators are available in many different types and different packages. The DCA Pro is able to identify many types of regulator, typically regulators with outputs less than 8V, depending on current requirements.

  • Page 29: Pc Software Installation

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 PC Software Installation The DCA Pro can be used in conjunction with a PC running Windows XP or later.* Software is provided on the included USB flash drive. Alternatively, you can download the latest PC software package from: www.peakelec.co.uk/downloads/dcaprosetup.exe Before you install the software, ensure you have sufficient (administrator)

  • Page 30: Windows Xp Installation

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Windows XP Installation 1. Make sure you have the latest Windows Updates and Service Pack 3. 2. Run “Setup.exe” on the supplied USB flash drive. Alternatively, you can download and run the digitally signed installation file from our website: www.peakelec.co.uk/downloads/dcaprosetup.exe 3.

  • Page 31: Windows Vista, 7 And 8 Installation

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Windows Vista, 7 and 8 Installation 1. Make sure you have the latest Windows Updates and Service Pack. 2. Run “Setup.exe” on the supplied USB flash drive. Alternatively, you can download and run the digitally signed installation file from our website: www.peakelec.co.uk/downloads/dcaprosetup.exe 3.

  • Page 32: Running The Dca Pro Software For The First Time

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Running the DCA Pro PC software for the first time Now you’re ready to start the DCA Pro companion software. You can start the software in the following ways: All Windows Versions Double click on the desktop icon.

  • Page 33: Analysing Semiconductors - Pc Mode

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Analysing Semiconductors – PC mode When the DCA Pro is connected to the PC and the PC is running the companion software, the instrument can be used from the PC screen or from the instrument itself.

  • Page 34: Pc Mode - Curve Tracing Functions

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Curve Tracing After a component has been analysed, you can perform further tests on the component, such as curve tracing various component parameters. Curve tracing is best performed after the DCA Pro has correctly identified the component and correctly identified the pinout.

  • Page 35: Pc Mode - Exporting Your Data

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Curve Tracing – Export Raw Data After the curve tracing operation has completed, you can copy the raw measurement data into the clipboard ready to be pasted into your spreadsheet program.

  • Page 36: Pc Mode - Special Functions

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Special Functions Firmware Upgrade From the program’s “Help” menu, select “Check for Updates”. If you are connected to the internet, the program will check for new PC Software (that includes the latest firmware). If newer software is available, you will be guided to the download location.

  • Page 37: Audible Settings

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Audible Settings Your DCA Pro has a built-in sounder for alerting you to various test results and conditions. Additionally, the sounder produces short tones to reinforce the tactile feedback when pressing buttons.

  • Page 38: Care Of Your Atlas Dca Pro

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Care of your Atlas DCA Pro Your DCA Pro should provide many years of service if used in accordance with this user guide. Care should be taken not to expose your unit to excessive heat, shock or moisture.

  • Page 39: Self Test Procedure

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Self Test Procedure Each time the DCA Pro is powered up, a self test procedure is performed. In addition to a battery voltage test, the unit measures the performance of many internal functions such as the voltage and current sources, amplifiers, analogue to digital converters and test lead multiplexers.

  • Page 40: Appendix A - Troubleshooting

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Appendix A – Troubleshooting First thing to do: It is important that you ensure you’ve got the latest version of firmware (software that’s inside the DCA Pro instrument) and the latest version of PC software.

  • Page 41: Appendix B - Technical Specifications

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Appendix B – Summary Technical Specifications All values are at 25°C unless otherwise specified. Specifications subject to change. Parameter Note Bipolar Transistors Measurable current gain (h ) range 32000 accuracy (h <2000) ±3% ±5 h test voltage (V...
  • Page 42 Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Summary Technical Specifications continued: All values are at 25°C unless otherwise specified. Specifications subject to change. Parameter Note Thyristors and Triacs Gate trigger test current 8.0mA 10.0mA 12.0mA Load hold test current 10.0mA 15.0mA Diodes and LEDs...

  • Page 43: Appendix C - Analysis Test Circuits

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Appendix C – Analysis Test Circuits The DCA Pro analyses components by applying signals to the component under test while in a “test circuit”. The test circuits that the DCA Pro uses to analyse various components are shown below. These test circuits are presented here to assist in your understanding of the test conditions that are possible when testing in standalone mode and in the PC mode (for curve tracing etc).

  • Page 44: Jfet/Mosfet/Igbt Test Circuit

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 JFET/MOSFET/IGBT Test Circuit It’s important to note that the gate-source voltage can be driven negative by making the source voltage drive higher than the gate voltage drive. When this is done however, there is less voltage available to be across the drain-source nodes and the load resistor.

  • Page 45: Diode Test Circuit

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Diode Test Circuit This test circuit is used for testing both the forward and reverse characteristics of diodes. Reverse characteristics are particularly useful for the testing of Zener diodes. For the standalone mode, the voltage is automatically adjusted to obtain a “target”...

  • Page 46: Voltage Regulator Test Circuit

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Voltage Regulator Test Circuit The test circuit shown here is used for the analysis of voltage regulators (positive regulators in this example). Note that the range of regulator voltages supported will depend on the quiescent current (I A higher quiescent current will cause more voltage to be dropped across the sense resistor and yield less voltage for the regulator itself.

  • Page 47: Appendix D - Warranty Information

    Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4 Appendix D – Warranty Information Peak Satisfaction Guarantee - If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your DCA Pro within 14 days of purchase you may return the unit to your distributor.

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