Single Quadrant Operation - Agilent Technologies Series N6700 User Manual

Appendix E Source Operating Modes

Single Quadrant Operation

120
The Agilent N6700 Modular Power System can operate in either
constant voltage (CV) or constant current (CC) over the rated output
voltage and current. Constant voltage mode is defined as an
operating mode in which the dc source maintains its output voltage
at the programmed voltage setting in spite of changes in load, line, or
temperature. Thus, when the load resistance changes, the output
voltage remains constant while the output current changes to
accommodate the change in load.
Constant current mode is defined as an operating mode in which the
dc source maintains its output current at the programmed current
limit in spite of changes in load, line, or temperature. Thus, when the
load resistance changes, the output current remains constant while
the output voltage changes to accommodate the change in load.
All DC power modules, except for Agilent Models N678xA SMU,
are designed as constant voltage sources. This means that the
specifications and operating characteristics are optimized for
constant voltage mode operation. Note that these power modules
cannot be programmed to operate in a specific mode. At turn-on, the
operating mode will be determined by the voltage setting, current
setting, and the load resistance. In the following figure, operating
point 1 is defined by a fixed load line traversing the positive
operating quadrant in the constant voltage region. Operating point 2
is defined by a fixed load line traversing the positive operating
quadrant in the constant current region.
Voltage
Vmax
Vset
Downprogrammer
characteristic
More load
resistance
0
1
Less load resistance
Series N6700 User's Guide
2
Current
Iset Imax