Section 5: Pulse measure and pulse generator units
Model 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer Reference Manual
5-56
4200A-901-01 Rev. C / February 2017
"Pulsed sourcing" can involve outputting user-defined two-level pulses, outputting multi-level pulses
using the built-in Segment Arb
®
function, or outputting an arbitrarily defined waveform using the
arbitrary waveform generator in the KPulse software, which is included with the 4200A-SCS. The
Segment Arb feature allows you to create waveforms from segments defined with separate voltages
and time durations. In addition to its pulse generator capabilities, the 4225-PMU can measure AC or
DC voltage and current, thereby reducing the need for additional measurement hardware and more
complicated programming. The 4220-PGU is a two-channel pulse generator with output capabilities
identical to the capabilities of the 4225-PMU, but without its measurement functions.
Segment Arb waveform
Each channel of a pulse card can be configured to output its own unique Segment Arb
®
waveform. A
Segment Arb waveform is composed of user-defined line segments, up to 2048 for the 4220-PGU
and 4225-PMU. Each segment can have a unique time interval, start value, stop value, output trigger
level (TTL high or low) and output relay state (open or closed).
If both channels of a pulse card are being used, the segment trigger levels for Channel 1 will be seen
at the TRIGGER OUT connector. The trigger levels for Channel 2 are ignored.
A Segment Arb waveform consists of line segments illustrated in the figure below. The blue line
represents the voltage waveform; the red represents the measure windows. This figure contains a 12-
segment waveform.
Figure 192: Example of waveform measured using seg_arb_sequence
Two types of measurements are supported: spot mean and sample. Spot mean measurements take a
mean of all the samples within the measured window and result in a single reading for that segment.
The sample measurement reports all of the samples within the measurement window, which can then
be plotted versus time to provide a waveform.
Note that Segment Arb provides the capability to include measurement (for the 4225-PMU) and
sequences (4225-PMU and 4220-PGU).
Pulse Mode:
Sequence, Segment Arb
(on page 13-125) and
(on page 13-128)
These more advanced functions can be used by the 4220-PGUs and 4225-PMUs to define a
Segment Arb waveform.
If both channels of a pulse card are being used, the segment trigger levels for CHANNEL 1 will be
seen at the TRIGGER OUT connector. The trigger levels for CHANNEL 2 are ignored.
