Programmable precision DC voltage/current source - GS200

The new Yokogawa GS200 is a programmable DC voltage/current source that boasts high accuracy, high stability and high resolution.

With its excellent traceability, stability and 5½-digit resolution, the GS200 generates extremely low-noise DC voltage and current signals for a wide range of device driving and test & measurement applications. In addition, an optional monitoring feature turns the GS200 into a voltage and current measuring instrument.

The GS200 will act as a voltage source up to ±32 V and a current source up to ±200 mA. Typical accuracy is ±0.016% (on the 10 V range), and the high stability is indicated by a temperature coefficient of ±0.0008% /degC (also on the 10 V range). High resolution is provided by a 5½-digit display with a display count of ±120,000. Noise level is very low: only 100 µV p-p on the 10 V range.

Other key features include an output that is programmable up to 10,000 steps of output values, a built-in USB mass storage device, and an optional Ethernet interface. Channel expansion is enabled by the synchronous operation of multiple units.

The GS200 can perform four-quadrant operation by operating as a current source or a current sink in the range of ±30 V and ±200 mA. When the GS200 is sinking current, it can operate over exactly the same range as when it is operating as a current source. The GS200 can thus be used not just as a highly accurate voltage source but also as a highly accurate constant-current electronic load.

The optional voltage and current monitoring feature allows the GS200 to function as a current monitor when it is generating voltage and as a voltage monitor when it is generating current. The display resolution using this option is 4½ digits. The measured values can be stored along with the source values in the internal USB mass storage device.

The instrument features a seamless bipolar output function which inverts the signal polarity without the use of a mechanical contact. As a result, no abnormal voltage or current is generated when the polarity is inverted, providing truly continuous voltage variation from the maximum negative output to the maximum positive output. This feature is invaluable for the evaluation of zero-crossing comparators and for output polarity inversion during program operation. Moreover, voltage or current glitches do not occur when the setting is changed within the same range.

Applications include usage as a DC voltage/current reference or pulse voltage/current source, measurements of the basic electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices, pulse current driving for LEDs and organic EL displays, charge/discharge characteristics tests on batteries, ‘pass/fail’ component testing, and the evaluation of zero crossing comparators.