577

Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix 577 is a curve tracer, introduced in November 1972, that uses plug-in test fixtures. The 577/D1 is the storage model, the 577/D2 the non-storage.

The 177 is the standard fixture, which is intended for testing discrete devices like transistors. Also available is the 178, which is for linear ICs (voltage regulators and opamps).

Tekscope Nov 1972 says:

Jack Millay headed up the very able team which designed the 577 Curve Tracer Measurement System. Working on the electrical design were Jim Knapton, Bob Herb, Bob Verrinder, Om Agrawal, Dave Rule, and Gary Davis. Tom Saucy did the mechanical design while Darrell Barrett and Gil Stephens provided evaluation support. Lena Mcintosh and Iona MacKay built the prototype instruments. And there were many others who helped in both large and small ways to make this project a success.

Key Specifications

Collector Sweep Ranges	6.5 V / 10 A 25 V / 2.5 A 100 V / 60 mA 400 V / 150 mA 1600 V / 40 mA
Vertical Display Current Range (177)	0.2 nA/div to 2 A/div, 1−2−5
Horizontal Display Collector Voltage Range	5 mV/div to 200 V/div, 1−2−5
Horizontal Display Base Voltage Range	5 mV/div to 2 V/div, 1−2−5
Base Current Step Generator	5 nA to 200 mA, 1−2−5
Base Voltage Step Generator	5 mV to 2 V, 1−2−5

Links

• Curve tracers
• Curve tracer adapters
• Dennis Tillman: An Inexpensive Vacuum Tube Curve Tracer Adapter for All Tektronix Semiconductor Curve Tracers
• Tek 577 repair and demo by curiousmarc @ YouTube
• Tektronix 577 D2 Repair and Alignment Part 1 / Part 2 / Adjustment Check-in and Demo by Zenwizard Studios @ YouTube
• Curve Tracer Basics What do all these buttons do? by Zenwizard Studios @ YouTube

Documents Referencing 577

Document	Class	Title	Authors	Year	Links
Tekscope 1972 V4 N6 Nov 1972.pdf	Article	Progress in Semiconductor Testing	Jack Millay	1972	577 • 177 • 178
Tekscope 1972 V4 N6 Nov 1972.pdf	Article	Linear IC Testing Comes to the Curve Tracer	Om Agrawal	1972	577 • 178
Tekscope 1974 V6 N4.pdf	Article	Opamp Bandwidth Approximations ... using the 577/178 Curve Tracer		1974	577 • 178
Tekscope 1975 V7 N3.pdf	Article	A Potpourri of Modifications and Service Hints		1975	465 • 5L4N • 464 • 466 • 575 • 576 • 577 • TM504
Tekscope 1977 V9 N1.pdf	Article	Testing Three-Terminal Regulators with a Curve Tracer	Ralph Livermore	1977	577 • 178
AX-3197-1.pdf	Application Note	Testing Optoisolators		1978	577
48W-3346-3.pdf	Brochure	Making the Correct Semiconductor Measurements Time After Time		1982	576 • 172 • 176 • 577 • 178 • 5CT1N • 7CT1N
48w-5764.pdf	Brochure	Features Comparison of Tektronix Curve Tracers Versus HP4145A Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer (Tek internal)	Laurie Lawrence	1984	576 • 577 • 176 • 177 • 178

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

Pictures

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Adapters

• 177 Standard Test Fixture
• Dual width:
  • 013-0098-02 Transistor Adapter
  • 013-0099-02 FET adapter
  • 013-0102-00 Long Lead Transistor Adapter
  • 013-0103-00 Long Lead FET Adapter
  • 013-0124-00/01 Integrated Circuit Adapter
• Kelvin Sensing:
  • 013-0127-01 Transistor Adapter
  • 013-0138-01 Inline Adapter
  • 013-0112-00 TO36 Adapter
  • 013-0100-01 TO3 Adapter
  • 013-0101-01 TO66 Adapter
  • 013-0111-00 Axial Lead Diode Adapter
  • 013-0110-00 Stud Diode Adapter
  • 013-0104-00 Blank Adapter
  • 013-0163-00 Power Transistor Adapter
• 3 Pin (for all curve tracers):
  • 013-0069-00 Long Lead Transistor Adapter
  • 013-0128-00 TO5 or TO18 Adapter
  • 013-0070-00 TO3 or TO66 Adapter
  • 013-0072-00 Axial Diode Adapter
  • 013-0079-00 Axial Diode Adapter (magnetic hold)

• 178 Linear IC Test Fixture
  • 013-0149-01 Standard Op-Amp Card
  • 013-0150-01 Hardwire Card
  • 013-0147-00 Positive Regulator Card
  • 013-0148-00 Negative Regulator Card
• Multilead (for 178 or 013-0124-01):
  • 136-0444-00 8 Lead TO Package Adapter
  • 136-0441-00 10 Lead TO Package Adapter
  • 136-0443-00 14 Lead DIL Package Adapter
  • 136-0442-00 16 Lead DIL Package Adapter