Why use a Source Measure Unit?

An SMU is effectively multiple instruments in one, but being designed with tight integration and control brings many added benefits over using the traditional separate power supply, load, DMM and arbitrary function generator.

Stability

An SMU has the ability to keep the output stable during unexpected load changes by precisely measuring its own voltage and current and feeding this back to the source

Speed

Interconnection of all the individual elements in a single unit increases the timing accuracy and speed of communications between the source and measurement circuitry

Not having to rely on external communication lines to keep multiple instruments in sync cuts down control overhead times. Built in sweep and sequencing capabilities keep external control signals to a minimum.

Accuracy

Measurement error is considerably reduced when compared to individual instruments in one setup. Close integration of the source and measurement elements achieves a far more reliable performance with better settling times and far superior synchronization.

Convenience

Not having to connect up and configure multiple instruments, but simply recall a preset brings considerable time savings. The single compact bench case saves space and reduces clutter. Two SMU4000 can fit in 2U rack space and be synced together with the SMU-Link (optional). You can go from sourcing to sinking power without swapping from a power supply to a load, run sweeps with automated data collection without writing automation code and use built in protection features that are hard to implement with separate instruments.