Curve tracers

Curve tracers are lab devices that are used to analyze performance characteristics of active devices like tubes, diodes and transistors.

They trace current/voltage characteristics, in the case of 3- or more terminal devices as a function of a third parameter such as grid voltage or base current.

Links

Curve tracer adapters
Curve Tracer Basics / Curve Tracer Buying Guide Zenwizard Studios

Documents Referencing Curve tracers

Document	Class	Title	Authors	Year	Links
062-1009-00.pdf	Book	Measurement Concepts: Semiconductor Device Measurements	John Mulvey	1969	Curve tracers • Tunnel diodes
Tekscope 1969 V1 N1 Feb 1969.pdf	Article	Curve Tracing Displays		1969	Curve tracers • 576
Tekscope 1969 V1 N5 Oct 1969.pdf	Article	Troubleshooting the Sweep Ciruits	Charles Phillips	1969	575 • 576 • Curve tracers
Tekscope 1972 V4 N3 May 1972.pdf	Article	Semiautomatic Testing with the Curve Tracer	Jack Millay	1972	576 • 172 • Curve tracers
Tektronix Curve Tracers - Device Testing Techniques.pdf	Book	Tektronix Curve Tracers - Device Testing Techniques		1985	Curve tracers • Tunnel diodes

Instruments

Manufacturer	Page	Description	Series	Introduced	Designers
Sony/Tektronix	372	Curve tracer / semiconductor tester		(?)
Sony/Tektronix	377	Laser diode analyzer		(?)
Systron Donner	Systron Donner 9550	Curve tracer plug-in	500-series scopes	1971
Tektronix	370	Digital curve tracer		1986
Tektronix	371	Digital curve tracer		1988
Tektronix	560-Series Diode Curve Tracer	Curve tracer plug-in for diodes	560-series scopes	(?)
Tektronix	570	Curve tracer for tubes		1955	John Kobbe
Tektronix	571	Curve tracer		1989
Tektronix	575	Curve tracer for transistors		1957	John Kobbe
Tektronix	576	Curve tracer		1969	Jim Knapton
Tektronix	577	Curve tracer		1972	Jack Millay • Jim Knapton • Bob Herb • Bob Verrinder • Om Agrawal • Dave Rule • Gary Davis • Tom Saucy
Tektronix	5CT1N	Curve tracer plug-in	5000-series scopes	1972	Matt Zimmerman
Tektronix	7CT1N	Curve tracer plug-in	7000-series scopes	1971	Matt Zimmerman
Tektronix	TR210	Analog signature analysis instrument		(?)
Telequipment	Telequipment CT71	Curve tracer		1979
U-Tech	U-Tech 681	Curve tracer plug-in	560-series scopes	(?)
U-Tech	U-Tech 682	Curve tracer	500-series scopes	(?)
Vilnius Research	Я4С-92	Curve tracer plug-in	Soviet 7000-series clones	1979

Curve tracer measurement examples

BC337 I_C = f(V_CE, I_B) traced on a 7CT1N
no-name optocoupler I_C = f(V_CE, I_LED) on 7CT1N
NE-2 neon bulb I = f(V) on a 7CT1N
one system of a 6J6 triode I_A = f(V_A, V_G1) on a 7CT1N
2N2222A transistor on 571
1N3020B (10 V Zener diode) on 571
10 mA tunnel diode I = f(V) on 571