The Agilent N6700A Modular Power System simplifies test-system assembly, cabling programming, debugging, and operation. It is ideal for ATE and production test environments, where it can supply bias power and stimulus to subassemblies and final products. The Agilent Modular Power System saves rack space. The Agilent N6700A 1.75-in high (1-EIA unit) mainframe can accommodate up to four DC power modules.
Small Size and Flexibility for ATE
The Agilent N6700 Low-Profile Modular Power System (MPS) is a 1U (rack unit) high, multiple-output programmable DC power supply system that enables test system integrators to optimize performance, power and price to match test needs.
The Agilent N6700 MPS gives test system designers the flexibility to mix and match from 20 different DC power modules to create a 1- to 4-channel DC power system optimized to meet specific test requirements. Test system engineers can invest in high-performance outputs where speed and accuracy are needed, or purchase basic performance outputs for simple DC power requirements.
Small Size
The Agilent N6700 MPS uses an advanced switching power supply design that fits within 1U of rack space. It has side air vents (no top or bottom air vents) so other instruments can be mounted directly above or below it. (Requires rack mount kit).
Built-in Measurement of Voltage and Current
The N6700 modules come standard with built-in measurement of voltage and current to simplify wiring and design of an ATE system.
Protection Features
Each N6700 module is protected against over-voltage, overcurrent, and over-temperature. A fault condition in one module can be detected within 10 microseconds by other modules so that they can be quickly shut down to avoid hazardous conditions on your DUT.
Connectivity
The N6700 MPS comes standard with GPIB, USB 2.0, and 10/100 Base-T Ethernet LAN interfaces. While GPIB is best suited for use with existing systems, Agilent offers USB and LAN to allow you to take advantage of the availability, speed, and ease-of-use of common computer industry standard interfaces. The N6700 is fully compliant with the LXI Class C specification.
Security
When used in systems running GPIB, the LAN and/or USB interfaces can be disabled for extra security. Also, all non-volatile RAM data and settings can be cleared from the front panel.
Control from any Browser
The N6700 can be controlled via a standard web browser. The N6700 contains a web server that provides web pages for monitor, control, and setup of the MPS.
Output Sequencing
Each DC power module can be individually set to turn on or to turn off with a delay. By adjusting the delay times and then commanding the N6700 to turn on, you can set the N6700 modules to sequence on in a particular order. The same sequencing capability is available to shut down the modules in a particular order.
For applications that require more than four DC power modules to be sequenced, this output sequencing can be extended across multiple N6700 mainframes. By wiring together the I/O ports on the rear panel of the mainframes, a pair of synchronization signals are sent between mainframes, allowing the output sequences of each mainframe to be synchronized. This capability is supported on N6700B, N6701A and N6702A mainframes. It is not supported on N6700A mainframes.
Programmable Voltage Slew
For some applications, like inrush limiting or powering rate-sensitive devices, it is necessary to slow down and control the speed of the power supply to maintain a specific voltage slew rate. The N6700 provides programmable voltage slew rate, so that you can easily control the speed at which the output slews from one voltage to another. You can set the speed of a voltage change anywhere from its maximum up/down programming speed to its slowest change of up to 10 seconds. Programmable voltage slew is available from the front panel when operating the N6700 manually or via computer control.
Series Operation
To increase available voltage and power, similarly rated outputs can be operated directly in series.
Easy Parallel Operation with Virtual Channels
To increase available output power and current, identical outputs can be operated in parallel. To simplify parallel operation for applications requiring currents greater than any single output can provide, the N6700 offers virtual channels, a firmwarebased feature that allows the N6700 system to treat up to 4 channels as a single, synchronized channel. Once configured, all functions (sourcing, measurements, triggering, protection, and status monitoring) behave as if there is 1 channel of up to 4 times the capacity of a single channel, without writing a single line of code to manage the interaction and synchronization of the paralleled power supplies. Virtual channel capability is available from the front panel when operating the N6700 manually or via computer control.
Power Management Feature Allows
You Allocate Mainframe Power Often, a DUT requires a single high power DC source and several very low power DC sources. Since the DUT does not require full power to all outputs, you may choose to save money configuring a system where the sum of the power modules installed in a mainframe exceeds the total power available from the mainframe.
In this case, the new power management features of the N6700 allow you to allocate mainframe power to the outputs where it’s needed, achieving maximum asset utilization and flexibility. This feature provides the safety from unexpected and dangerous shutdowns that can occur with power systems without power management when operated in a similar way.
For example, if your DUT requires 280 W on its main input, and 10 W each on three auxiliary inputs, you can configure a system consisting of one 300 W DC module and three 100 W DC modules. Even though the sum of the module power is 600 W, you can still use the N6700B 400 W MPS mainframe. Thanks to the power management feature, you can allocate the full 300 W to the 300 W module while you allocate only 33 W to each of the 100 W modules.
Triggering
The N6700 Low-Profile MPS mainframe has hardware trigger in/trigger out signals which permit the N6700 to be synchronized with external events. For example, a switch closure in the fixture can trigger the N6700 to apply voltage to the DUT or take a measurement.
Drivers
The N6700 comes with both VXIplug&play drivers and IVI-COM drivers.
Programming Language
The N6700 supports SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments).
Firmware Updates
The N6700 firmware is stored in FLASH ROM and can be easily updated when new features become available. Firmware can be downloaded into the N6700 over GPIB, LAN, or USB using the supplied firmware update utility program.
Front Panel
In addition to full control over its three standard interfaces, the N6700 has a full featured front panel to permit easy manual operation for test prototyping, debugging, and troubleshooting when used in an ATE system. You can have confidence that the N6700 is working properly because you can view the settings and actual output values on all four outputs at the same time.
Quieter Fans to Keep Noise Down
To reduce acoustic noise, the N6700 mainframes employ fan speed control. When operating at less than full output power, the cooling fans spin slower and generate less noise.
Universal AC Input
The N6700 has a universal input that operates from 100-240 Vac, 50/60/400 Hz. There are no switches to set or fuses to change when switching from one voltage standard to another. The AC input employs power factor correction.
Quick Disconnects
Each power module has quick disconnects for easy system setup and maintenance.
Rack Mount Kit
The N6700 is easily rack-mounted using available option 908. This kit provides all the necessary hardware to rack mount one N6700 mainframe in only 1U of rack space. This rack mount kit includes front rack ears and rear supports which take the place of standard rack rails and/or slides. Note that standard rack rails or slides are not needed and are not compatible with the N6700 because of its 1U size and airflow requirements.
Choosing the right DC Power Modules to meet your ATE needs
- N6750 Family-For applications where the power supply plays a critical role.
The Agilent N6750 family of high-performance, autoranging DC power modules provides low noise, high accuracy and programming speeds that are up to 10 to 50 times faster than other programmable power supplies. In addition, Agilent has, for the first time, included high-speed test extensions in general-purpose power supplies. The high-speed test extensions offer an oscilloscope-like digitizer that simplifies system configuration and increases measurement accuracy when viewing high-speed transient or pulse events within the device-under-test (DUT). In addition, autoranging output capabilities enable one power supply to do the job of several traditional power supplies.
- N6760 Family-For applications where precision is required.
The Agilent N6760 family of precision DC power modules provide precise control and measurements in the milliampere and microampere region with the ability to simultaneously digitize voltage and current, and capture those measurements in an oscilloscope-like data buffer.
- N6730/40/70 Family-For basic DC applications.
The Agilent N6730, N6740 and N6770 families of DC power modules provide programmable voltage and current, measurement and protection features at a very economical price, making these modules suitable to power the DUT or to provide power for ATE system resources, such as fixture control.
