The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Keysight B1506A is a high-power Power Device Analyzer/Curve Tracer for automated characterization of power semiconductors. Depending on its H-package and fixture, it combines IV testing up to 3 kV and 1,500 A, pulsed measurements, high-voltage capacitance, gate-charge, thermal characterization, power-loss calculations and automated datasheet-style reporting. The official datasheet is available from Keysight (PDF).
Official B1506A datasheet and product status
The B1506A is a current Keysight product, not merely software or a conventional graphical tracer. Download the manufacturer’s B1506A datasheet and review the configuration-specific limits before ordering. The product page provides current package, upgrade, support and buy-or-rent information.
What the B1506A does
The system combines high-voltage/high-current source-measure hardware, fixture switching and Easy Test Navigator software. It extracts device parameters, displays curves and can generate a report resembling a semiconductor datasheet. That report documents measured results; it does not certify that a device meets another manufacturer’s datasheet conditions.
IV characterization
- DC and pulsed output and transfer curves
- RDS(on) or equivalent on-resistance, breakdown voltage, leakage, threshold voltage and saturation voltage
- On-wafer IV with the appropriate connection
- Pulse widths down to 10 µs in supported pulsed-IV operation
Capacitance and gate charge
Full-package configurations can measure Ciss, Coss, Crss, Cies, Coes, Cres and gate resistance, plus gate-charge curves for N-channel MOSFETs and IGBTs. These functions are not included in every H-package.
#1 Best Overall
- Clear LCD Display: 640 × 480 TFT color LCD display, user-friendly interface. English operation system.
- Digital Storage: This TCT (Transistor Curve Tracer) can store up to 10 graphics and can also store unlimited amounts to a computer through a USB interface. It can be saved in a specific file format, as well as in image formats such as JPG, BMP, etc. The data saved on the computer can be printed as images through a printer or downloaded to the instrument through a USB interface.
- Parameter Display: Automatically measure and display values of voltage, current, β, gm , support various parameters settings.
- Quick Filtering: You can set the upper and lower limits of a parameter under certain conditions. When the measured parameter exceeds this range, an audible and visual alarm will be triggered.
- Synchronous display: High speed USB communication can synchronously display graphics on the computer screen while testing devices, allowing for unlimited expansion of the display interface size.
Power loss and thermal work
Software supports conduction-, driving- and switching-loss evaluations. Results depend on the selected method, waveform quality, fixture parasitics and operating point, so they are not automatically equivalent to losses in a complete converter. Thermal testing spans −50 °C to +250 °C when the required Thermostream-control or thermal-plate arrangement is installed.
Headline specifications
| Parameter | Published value | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum output voltage | 3 kV | Depends on configuration, fixture, DUT and test mode |
| Maximum output current | 1,500 A | Maximum system/package capability, not universal continuous current |
| Minimum current-measurement resolution | 10 fA | Resolution is not accuracy, noise or minimum usable current |
| Channels | 7 | Keysight product-page headline specification |
| Thermal test range | −50 °C to +250 °C | Requires the applicable thermal hardware |
| IV pulse width | Down to 10 µs | Supported pulsed-IV modes only |
| CV frequency | 1 kHz to 5 MHz | Available on CV-capable configurations |
| High-voltage CV | Up to 3 kV | Fixture and configuration dependent |
| Calibration interval | 1 year | Manufacturer-stated interval under datasheet conditions |
Do not multiply 3 kV by 1,500 A to infer a 4.5 MW operating envelope. Voltage, current, pulse duration, compliance, fixture and DUT limits define the valid operating region.
B1506A package options
| Configuration | IV capability | CV and gate charge | Typical selection logic |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1506A-H20 | 20 A / 3 kV | No; IV package | Lower-current, high-voltage IV development |
| B1506A-H50 | 500 A / 3 kV | No; IV package | High-current IV characterization |
| B1506A-H70 | 1,500 A / 3 kV | No; IV package | Highest listed B1506A IV-current class |
| B1506A-H21 | 20 A / 3 kV | Yes | H20-class IV plus capacitance and Qg |
| B1506A-H51 | 500 A / 3 kV | Yes | H50-class IV plus capacitance and Qg |
| B1506A-H71 | 1,500 A / 3 kV | Yes | H70-class IV plus capacitance and Qg |
Keysight lists upgrade paths for current capability, CV/Qg functions and socket or fixture changes. Select the highest measurement class you actually need: a 3 kV, 20 A MOSFET workflow requiring C-V and gate charge points to H21, while a high-current module workflow may require H51 or H71 plus different thermal and safety hardware.
Fixtures, sockets and what to specify in a quote
The B1506A is a mainframe-plus-fixture system. The accessories guide lists items such as digital-I/O and interlock cables, capacitance-meter and composite triaxial/HVSMU/GNDU cable sets, a blank silicon plate, three-pin inline-package, curve-tracer, gate-charge and universal socket modules, and a thermal test enclosure. Availability and inclusion vary by suffix and option set; request a bill of materials that names the mainframe, H-package, socket, adapters, thermal equipment, calibration, installation and support.
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- curve tracer component tester curve tracer with screen digital curve tracer tester Portable And Rechargeable: Equipped with a built in 3000mAh Li battery, this double channel circuit board tester can be conveniently recharged via a type C interface, providing users with the ability to test circuits on the go without the concerns of constant power supply. The integrated 5V Actuator signal output further increases its functionality in various testing environments.
- curve tracer component tester curve tracer with screen digital curve tracer tester Versatile Testing Applications: The VI Curve Tester is perfect for a variety of applications, including analyzing semiconductor devices, measuring component characteristics, and troubleshooting circuit boards. Its adaptability makes it a valuable tool for both hobbyists and professionals in electronics.
- curve tracer component tester curve tracer with screen digital curve tracer tester Durable And Reliable Construction: Constructed with materials, the VI Curve Tester is designed for longevity and consistent performance. Its robust design ensures that it can withstand the rigors of daily use in both laboratory and field settings.
Accuracy conditions that affect repeatability
- Specifications are stated at 23 ±5 °C and 20–70% relative humidity, non-condensing.
- Allow a 40-minute warm-up before self-calibration.
- Keep ambient change after calibration below ±1 °C and measure within one hour of self-calibration.
- Drain-output-current accuracy is not guaranteed until 20 seconds after a voltage change.
- General operating temperature is +5 °C to +40 °C, with additional restrictions for Thermostream or thermal-plate use.
Resolution, accuracy, repeatability and noise are different specifications. Likewise, a short pulse limits self-heating but does not remove errors from duty cycle, settling, contacts, inductance or thermal paths.
Typical measurement workflow
- Select the device type and characterization task in Easy Test Navigator.
- Install the correct socket, adapter, universal module or wafer connection.
- Verify polarity, grounding, guarding, interlock operation and compliance limits.
- Set safe voltage/current limits and appropriate sweep, pulse or frequency conditions.
- Warm the system, run self-calibration and observe the stated stability window.
- Execute IV, CV, Qg, thermal or power-loss measurements.
- Use Oscilloscope View to inspect pulsed voltage/current waveforms where supported.
- Review extracted parameters and save curves, conditions, fixture identity and calibration state with the generated report.
High-voltage and high-current testing is not simply a matter of connecting a transistor and pressing Sweep. Mounting, discharge procedures, compliance settings and validated methods are part of the measurement.
Devices and applications
- Silicon, SiC and GaN power MOSFETs
- IGBTs, power diodes and high-current modules
- Breakdown, leakage, threshold, on-resistance and saturation-voltage studies
- Gate-charge and capacitance extraction
- Temperature-dependent characterization from packaged devices
- Screening suspect or out-of-specification parts
- On-wafer IV when the configured system supports the connection
SiC and GaN suitability still depends on device-specific limits, parasitics and the required dynamic test method. Static or pulsed characterization does not replace every switching or reliability test.
When the B1506A is the right tool
- You need high voltage and very high current in one fixture-oriented characterization platform.
- Automated parameter extraction and datasheet-style reports save engineering time.
- Thermal, CV, Qg or power-loss work belongs beside IV measurements.
- You test many packaged devices and value repeatable sockets and interlocks.
- You prefer a scalable IV-first purchase with later upgrades.
When another system is better
- Dynamic switching, reverse recovery or double-pulse testing is the primary task.
- Required power is modest and a modular SMU is more economical.
- You need broad general-purpose SMU or wafer-parameter-analyzer functions.
- Production-speed screening, rather than engineering characterization, drives the specification.
- Your facility cannot support high-energy interlocks, training, calibration and fixture controls.
Alternatives and related instruments
Keithley PCT configurations
Keithley Parametric Curve Tracer configurations use modular SMUs. Public list-price signals range from US$32,200 for 2600-PCT-1B to US$112,000 for 2600-PCT-4B; confirm current regional pricing. The published configurations cover classes from 200 V/10 A to 3 kV/120 mA and 40 V/50 A, but not the B1506A’s integrated 500 A or 1,500 A IV packages.
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- curve tracer with screen digital curve tracer tester Double Channel Signal Input: This electronic component analyzer supports double channel signal input and offers 18 adjustable frequency settings and 9 adjustable impedance levels. This flexibility allows users to customize testing parameters based on the specific requirements of their circuits, ensuring accurate and comprehensive analysis.
- curve tracer with screen digital curve tracer tester User Friendly Design: The VI curve tester features a 2.0 inch color screen that displays test results clearly and concisely. Additionally, the product supports adjustable positioning for the B channel to show either A or combined A+B results, enhancing ease of use for operators. An automatic shutdown feature activates after 15 minutes of inactivity to conserve battery life.
- curve tracer with screen digital curve tracer tester Versatile Testing Applications: The VI Curve Tester is perfect for a variety of applications, including analyzing semiconductor devices, measuring component characteristics, and troubleshooting circuit boards. Its adaptability makes it a valuable tool for both hobbyists and professionals in electronics.
- curve tracer with screen digital curve tracer tester Portable And Rechargeable: Equipped with a built in 3000mAh Li battery, this double channel circuit board tester can be conveniently recharged via a type C interface, providing users with the ability to test circuits on the go without the concerns of constant power supply. The integrated 5V Actuator signal output further increases its functionality in various testing environments.
- curve tracer with screen digital curve tracer tester Durable And Reliable Construction: Constructed with materials, the VI Curve Tester is designed for longevity and consistent performance. Its robust design ensures that it can withstand the rigors of daily use in both laboratory and field settings.
Keithley 2650 Series
The 2650 Series offers reusable SMU infrastructure. Public signals list the 2651A at US$31,900 (up to 50 A, 40 V and 2,000 W pulsed power) and the 2657A at US$38,500 (up to 3,000 V and 120 mA). Combining instruments and fixtures can create flexible systems, but one unit is not a direct H50/H70 substitute.
Software-led bench tracing
Keithley I-V Curve Tracer software supports selected 2450, 2460, 2461 and 2470 SourceMeter instruments. Public software signals are US$2,320 for one license, US$6,200 for three and US$7,740 for five. It suits lower-power laboratories that already own compatible hardware, not high-current module characterization.
Keysight B1505A
The B1505A is a related modular power-device analyzer with a different architecture and option structure. Compare exact voltage, current, fixture, wafer and software requirements rather than treating it as a newer B1506A.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Buying, renting or upgrading
Keysight presents quote, rental, upgrade, calibration and financial options rather than a universal public B1506A list price. Ask for a configuration-specific quotation and identify the highest current, voltage, CV/Qg, thermal and package requirements. For used equipment, verify calibration date, self-test results, fixture and socket completeness, interlock condition, cable ratings, service history, software/support availability and whether the included hardware matches the advertised H-suffix.
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- Works with diodes, NPN and PNP transistors, and P- and N-Type FETs
- J2 connector for E / C / B / E connections
- 10 kΩ Internal Resistor for Rb
- 100Ω Internal Resistor for Rc
- Compatible with Analog Discovery 3, Analog Discovery 2, and Analog Discovery (Legacy)
High-power safety checklist
- Use an enclosed, interlocked test area with controlled access.
- Provide rated grounding, cables, connectors and discharge paths for stored energy.
- Set conservative compliance limits and validate polarity before energizing the DUT.
- Account for arc/flash, device rupture, hot surfaces and unexpected DUT short circuits.
- Document trained operators, emergency procedures, fixture inspection and calibration status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the B1506A a curve tracer?
Yes, but it is broader than a traditional graphical tracer: it adds automated parameter extraction, pulsed IV, optional CV and gate charge, thermal tests, power-loss evaluation and reporting.
Does every B1506A measure capacitance and gate charge?
No. H20, H50 and H70 are IV packages; H21, H51 and H71 add CV and gate-charge capability.
Is 1,500 A continuous?
No universal continuous rating should be inferred. The 1,500 A figure is a maximum package/system capability whose valid range depends on pulse conditions, fixture, compliance and DUT.
Does it replace a double-pulse tester?
Not automatically. The B1506A targets static and supported pulsed device characterization; dedicated dynamic switching, reverse-recovery or double-pulse work may require another system.
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The Bottom Line
Choose the B1506A when integrated, fixture-based characterization from high voltage through very high current—and optionally CV, gate charge and thermal work—justifies a dedicated platform. Select H20/H50/H70 or H21/H51/H71 from the complete measurement requirement, then confirm the exact fixture, safety, calibration and environmental conditions in a configuration-specific quote.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
