Andrea Vinci's blog

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Single vs. multi-channel bench power supply

Choosing the Right Lab Power Supply for Your Test Bench Thursday, March 27, 2025 by: Andrea Vinci

A lab power supply is more than just a tool—it's the foundation of reliable circuit testing. Whether you're debugging prototypes, designing new electronics, or running precise experiments, the right power supply ensures stable, accurate power delivery. Choosing the best one for your test bench means considering factors like voltage range, efficiency, and safety features. Let’s explore how to …

What Is a Switching Power Supply (SMPS)? A Definitive Engineer’s Guide Tuesday, March 25, 2025 by: Andrea Vinci

A switching power supply (often abbreviated SMPS for switched-mode power supply) is an electronic power converter known for efficiently transforming AC power into stable DC voltage through rapid switching techniques. But what exactly makes it 'switching,' and why has it become so essential for modern electronics? Why Is It Called a “Switching” Power Supply? Unlike linear power supplies, which …

Parallel Power Supplies: A Complete Guide to Increasing Current Capacity and Reliability Wednesday, March 19, 2025 by: Andrea Vinci

Introduction In many test and industrial applications, a single power supply may not provide enough current to meet system demands. Connecting power supplies in parallel is a practical solution that allows users to increase available current while maintaining a stable voltage. This technique can also improve system redundancy, reducing the risk of downtime due to power failures. In this guide …

Keithley 2230G-30-3 Triple Channel Variable Power Supply

How to Use a DC Power Supply: A Complete Guide for Engineers and Technicians Monday, March 17, 2025 by: Andrea Vinci

Introduction A DC power supply is an essential tool for electronics testing, circuit design, and troubleshooting. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced engineer, understanding how to use a programmable, variable, or bench DC power supply effectively is crucial for ensuring accurate results and protecting your devices. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of DC power supplies, step-by-step …

Female engineer using a Tektronix oscilloscope, shown with attached probes and device under test (DUT)

Scope ADC Resolution is Nothing Without Good Probes Thursday, September 19, 2024 by: Andrea Vinci

Key Factors Determining the Accuracy of Electrical Signal Measurement Measurement accuracy is often misunderstood as being solely dependent on the specifications of the instrument, such as the number of waveforms displayed on its screen. However, true accuracy is much more complex. It is closely tied to how well the measurement setup preserves the integrity of the signal being measured. The …

#Probes

A quantum computer surrounded by cyrostats.

Test and Measurement in the Quantum Era Wednesday, July 17, 2024 by: Andrea Vinci

From an engineer’s perspective the continuous advancement of quantum hardware and technologies is amazing. My interest began with curiosity about quantum physics. Now that curiosity is expanding as I gain a deeper understanding of the test processes, principles and criteria being used by these emerging technologies and how Tektronix can serve them. But let’s start at the beginning. A Growing …

Testing and Debugging PMICs with Ease Friday, September 22, 2023 by: Andrea Vinci

Adaptive Power Optimization is Revolutionizing PMICs “There is no better way to save energy and cut bills than by turning all electronic devices off.” This basic piece of advice is the underlying principle and philosophy behind any form of energy management applied to energy consumption optimization, and in general in so-called adaptive power optimization. In the case of battery powered …

#SMU #Software

Energy Storage Devices: a Battery Testing overview Wednesday, July 28, 2021 by: Andrea Vinci

Energy storage device testing is not the same as battery testing. There are, in fact, several devices that are able to convert chemical energy into electrical energy and store that energy, making it available when required. Capacitors are energy storage devices; they store electrical energy and deliver high specific power, being charged, and discharged in shorter time than batteries, yet with …

#4200a #DAQ #SMU

How to Measure a MOSFET I-V Curve Thursday, May 27, 2021 by: Andrea Vinci

One of the best ways to ensure a MOSFET is functioning properly and meets specifications is to determine its characteristics by tracing I-V curves. There are a number of output characteristics requiring I-V tests; you can derive gate leakage, breakdown voltage, threshold voltage, transfer characteristics, and drain current all by simply tracing I-V characteristics and verifying the device is …

Tektronix oscilloscope probe innovation blog

History of Tektronix Oscilloscope Probes Infographic Tuesday, May 25, 2021 by: Andrea Vinci

Tektronix has been a leader in developing cutting-edge oscilloscope probe technology for nearly 30 years. The infographic below highlights some of the key innovations and probe features we’ve developed in the last few decades. From low noise, low loading, and high bandwidth power rail probes to low input capacitance, high voltage single ended probes, our portfolio is designed to help engineers …

#TechBehindTek #Probes