The miniSMU MS01 excels at precise voltage and current measurements. This section explains how to perform basic measurements using your device, whether you're measuring voltage, current, or both simultaneously.

Measurement Preparation

Before starting measurements, ensure:

1. Your device is properly connected and powered on
2. You've configured the appropriate output settings
3. Your device under test (DUT) is connected to the appropriate channel
4. Protection limits are set to appropriate values for your DUT

Measuring Voltage

To measure voltage on a specific channel, use the MEASx:VOLT? command, where x is the channel number (1 or 2):

MEASx:VOLT?

Example:

MEAS1:VOLT?

This measures and returns the voltage on channel 1.

Response Example:

5.023

This indicates a measured voltage of 5.023 volts.

Notes:

• Voltage is measured at the BNC connector of the specified channel
• Measurement resolution is 6 μV
• Accuracy is ±(0.1% + 1.5 mV) under standard conditions
• If the output is disabled, you'll measure the external voltage present at the terminals

Measuring Current

To measure current on a specific channel, use the MEASx:CURR? command:

MEASx:CURR?

Example:

MEAS2:CURR?

This measures and returns the current on channel 2.

Response Example:

3.25e-3

This indicates a measured current of 3.25 mA (0.00325 A).

Notes:

• Current is always returned in amperes
• Measurement resolution depends on the current range, down to 100 pA in the lowest range
• Accuracy is ±(0.2% + 10 nA) under standard conditions
• The miniSMU automatically selects the optimal current range for the measurement

Measuring Both Voltage and Current

For comprehensive device characterisation, you'll often want to measure both voltage and current simultaneously.

To measure both voltage and current in a single command, use the MEASx:VOLT:CURR? command:

MEASx:VOLT:CURR?

Example:

MEAS1:VOLT:CURR?

This measures both voltage and current on channel 1.

Response Example:

3.301,0.00152

This indicates a measured voltage of 3.301 volts and a current of 1.52 mA (0.00152 A).

Notes:

• The values are returned as a comma-separated pair: voltage,current
• This combined measurement ensures voltage and current are read at the same moment

Advanced Measurement Options

Setting Measurement Oversampling

For noise-sensitive measurements, you can adjust the oversampling ratio (OSR) to improve resolution.

Available OSR values: 0 (fastest, noisiest) to 15 (slowest, cleanest). Each increment in OSR approximately doubles the number of samples averaged.

MEASx:OSR 

Example:

MEAS1:OSR 10

This sets the oversampling ratio to 10 for channel 1, reducing noise at the expense of slower measurements.

Tips for Accurate Measurements

1. Allow Warm-up Time

   • For optimal accuracy, allow the miniSMU MS01 to warm up for 30 minutes before critical measurements

2. Use Proper Cabling

   • Keep measurement leads short and well-connected
   • Use shielded cables for sensitive measurements

3. Manage Environmental Factors

   • Shield sensitive measurements from electromagnetic interference
   • Maintain stable ambient temperature for best results
   • Avoid air currents over the device under test for temperature-sensitive components

After mastering basic measurements, you may want to explore more advanced options such as Setting Measurement Modes and Data Streaming for continuous data acquisition.