1U Programmable DC Supply Promises Performance, Power, Price

Feb. 16, 2004

Automatic-test-equipment (ATE) applications can take advantage of the N6700 1U (rack unit) multiple-output programmable dc power supplies' high-end processing speeds, auto-ranging output, and measurement capabilities. These Agilent Technologies devices provide flexibility to mix and match from 13 different power modules to create a one- to four-channel power system.

Units accept universal 100- to 240-V ac (50/60-Hz) inputs with no need to change over input voltage settings. They feature flexible auto-ranging of output voltage and current values. Rated at 50 W, the N6751A can be programmed to produce output dc voltages of 50 V at 5 A, 20 V at 2.5 A, 33.3 V at 1.5 A, 50 V at 1 A, or any value in between.

The supplies boast fast response times (500 µs to change 50 to 0 V and vice versa), low output ripple and noise from 10 to 20 mV p-p (2-9 mV rms), load voltage regulation of 2 to 6 mV (at 2 mA), and source voltage regulation of 1 to 6 mV (at 1 mA). Programming and measurement accuracies are rated at 0.1% for voltages and 0.15% for currents. Load transient recovery time is less than 200 µs (for a ±80-mV settling band).

The series is the first to provide USB 2.0, 10/100BaseT Ethernet, and general-purpose interfaces. Units can be remotely operated from any Web browser.

"The N6700 is all about providing the test system engineer with maximum flexibility, performance, and value," says Scott Sampl, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Basic, Emerging and Systems Technologies Divisions.

Power modules are available now. Prices range from $450 to $2480. A low-profile MPS mainframe that can hold up to four modules (see the figure) is priced at $2200.

Agilent Technologies Inc. www.agilent.com (800) 452-4844, ext. 7858

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.