New DMM for low cost, high precision production testing.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 1995--Keithley Instruments has introduced its Model 2010 Low Noise Multimeter, which has 7 1/2-digit resolution and a price 25 to 50 percent lower than other other high precision DMMs in its class.

Its 100nV noise floor on the 100mV range provides unequaled measurement integrity. Up to 2000 measurements per second can be made at 4 1/2-digit resolution. Additionally, the 2010 provides a 20mV clamp for dry circuit testing of contact resistance. This feature is unique among DMMs. The unit's enclosure is designed for either bench-top use or half-rack mounting.

The Model 2010 is designed with the functions essential for accurate, high speed production testing of devices such as sensors, transducers, low resistance contacts, A/D and D/A converters, and mixed measurements on precision electronic subsystems. It provides 15 measurement functions, including DCV, ACV, DCI, ACI, 2W ohms, 4W ohms, temperature (RTD and T/C), frequency, period, and diode testing. The wide dynamic range minimizes range shift errors and increases throughput by reducing range change delay. For high precision comparison testing, there is a built-in ratio function.

Resistance measurement functions not typically available in other DMMs are standard on the Model 2010. These include:

o Low-power ohms mode - To avoid device self-heating, ohms can be measured at 100 micro A, an order of magnitude lower than most DMMs and suitable for end-of-life contact testing per ASTM B539-90.

o Dry circuit test - A unique 20mV clamp allows measurement of very low contact resistance while avoiding voltages that break down a contact's oxide layer.

Many of the 2010 features help reduce the time and costs associated with the installation and setup of a production test system. The typical system in which a 2010 is used consists of a component handler, switching system for batch or multi-point measurements, and a computer used for control, data collection, and statistical analysis. Front and rear panel I/O of the 2010 are designed to facilitate system integration using industry standard connections for test inputs and data communication. Besides IEEE-488 and RS-232 interfaces, the 2010's SCPI command set allows flexible control of measurements over a network.

However, the 2010 can operate as a self-contained multi-point measurement system through the use of an optional 10-channel scanner card. By inserting this card into the instrument's option slot, ten analog channels are available as 2-pole relay inputs. For larger applications, the 2010 can be seamlessly integrated with a Keithley 7000 Series High Density Matrix Switching System. By combining the 2010 with Keithley's Model 2400 Digital SourceMeter(TM), a highly versatile measurement system is created for precision, high speed tests requiring a broad range of source voltages or currents.

The design of the 2010 utilizes many features and functions found within other Keithley 2000 Series DMMs. These designs employ Keithley's unique servo amplifier front end, which provides extremely low offset drift and eliminates autozeroing to speed up measurements. Innovative circuit designs make extensive use of surface mount technology, and circuit boards have been created with no more than two layers. This design approach holds down manufacturing costs and improves reliability.

Users of the Model 2010 can also take advantage of Keithley's application engineers, who are experts in precision low level measurements and high speed matrix switching. When requested, one of these engineers will help a user analyze their test system and software with the aim of enhancing measurement integrity as well as speed.

Keithley Instruments Inc. has been designing and manufacturing precision instrumentation since 1946. Today, Keithley is a world leader in providing hardware and software solutions for electronic test and measurement, data acquisition, and semiconductor characterization. Keithley products and systems are found throughout the world in universities, industrial research laboratories, engineering development departments, quality control areas, and on production lines. They are second to none in providing highly accurate and reliable data related to the electrical, temperature and periodic phenomena they test and measure.

Downloadable information on Keithley, its products and services can be obtained by connecting to the company's Internet homepage on the Worldwide Web at http://www.keithley.com. For more information on the Model 2010, contact Keithley at:

Telephone: [phone]

216/248-0400 Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Address: Keithley Instruments Inc.

28775 Aurora Road

Cleveland, OH 44139-1891

Price for the Model 2010 $2395.00 Availability 4 weeks ARO

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CONTACT: Keithley Instruments Inc., Cleveland

Jeff Kenyon, 216/498-2745

Reader inquiries: 800/552-1115