Teardown : Agilent 4142B semiconductor DC test mainframe/SMU - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2016, 12:04:44 pm
content: I have something special today to show you, dear test gear nutsLet's see your scherlock skills.Guess the equipment model by little piece on the photo? There is enough information around to make exact guessEDIT:It's 4142B with some modules I got for 200$+230$ shipping.This beast is 29kg, full 4U size, so not easy to haul it.Peek inside it's rather special power supply:GNDU SMU (1.6A sink, 0V) + ADCIsn't this BB DAC gorgeous?SMU module 41421B:Some high-impedance teflon action:Everything seem to work just fine.Added some wires to check main 10V reference:Measured just fine:

author: Earendil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2016, 06:30:14 pm
content: HP 4142B?

author: Smith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2016, 07:47:53 pm
content: Some HP SMU? At least is says SMU, and the silk seems to be HP

author: ywara
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2016, 08:07:58 pm
content: 41421B 100V/100mA module for the 4142B. Looks to have fairly impressive current resolution.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2016, 09:28:22 pm
content: Bingo!I took lots of photos of all modules and supply boards, and posted them inarticle on my siteEnjoy. Even though unit was made in 1992/2000 (different boards different date codes), it does not have a single spec of dust. My best guess - it was in clean room of semiconductor facility, hence pristine condition. Not a smudge of dust even on fan blades, and trust me, those 120x38mm 24V fans are no joke.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2016, 09:48:52 pm
content: Neat! One of the hidden gems you can stumble upon and if you can take the noise from such a machine then why not?Quite some electronics porn inside as well.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2016, 11:47:10 pm
content: Nice unit, what is the internal vref?

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 10:41:30 am
content: REF102CM, as I shown in article.I received broken 41420A SMU module off ebay, this one definately need some repairspython ./cvr.pyHEWLETT PACKARD,4142B,0,4.300,0;HP41421B,3;0,0;HP41424A,1;0,0;HP41424A,1;0,0;HP41420A,38423,0,0,0According to HP-IB manual reference error 423 (8 is just meaning it's slot 8 module) is :QuoteWhat ever that means..

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 05:23:15 pm
content: Here's 41420A photos for those who care:DAC is same as in 41421B's.More similar hybrids:And rest of 'em:Back of the output board still have flux. Not pretty, but it's not the reason why module failed..Triax outputs:Moar green transistors from NEC Japan :

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 07:22:11 pm
content: that's a yokogawa-hp machine.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2016, 12:09:01 am
content: Here's front panel looks after some H2O2 procedures:Having so tight plastic wrap is actually not such a good idea, as that made barely visible areas of different tint due uneven UV exposure. Works for first try, but lesson for next time.Overall happy with the process.Bodged quick guide articleabout it. Keithley panel is out now this time..

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2016, 12:16:17 am
content: God, why have I been running around salon / beauty supply shops when I could just buy that stuff from Amazon.

author: lukier
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 04, 2016, 12:36:46 am
content: You don't add Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) as an activator? This I believe is mentioned in the original Retr0bright receipe. It doesn't make a difference?

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2016, 12:43:27 am
content: No, i did not add anything.

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 11:00:55 am
content: It's been awhile since this thread was created. I got just "few" additions today.* Bad 41420A got long ago, fails self-diagnostics. Error code is 423, according to service "I monitor opamp fail" on output board A2.How to fix? Buy more donors!Today arrivals:* Two supposed to be good 41420A HPSMU (40uV-200V, 1nA-1A ranges, 20fA best resolution). Installed into box, both run w/o errors.* Third, supposed to be bad 41420A HPSMU (40uV-200V, 1nA-1A ranges, 20fA best resolution). Installed, running w/o self-test errors. Hm?* One more 41425A monitor (it's like a fast analog comparator between SMUs levels, handy for tracking measurements). No self-test errors. I've already had one from before.Red zero means no errors detected.There are few more modules for cheap on ebay, so SMU-nuts, beware of EEVBlog/xDevs effect. Bunch of hi-res photos in my oldteardown articlestill available. Plenty of AE foil resistors and japanese green FETs insides, with fancy shielded reed relays.And finally with Keithley 6485 I can actually hook it all up and measure some low currents. Wonder who is more noisy, Keithley picoammeter (lowest range 1nA) or JHP SMU?

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2017, 07:40:49 pm
content: Quote from: TiN on August 23, 2017, 11:00:55 amI do not know HP SMU, my guess is - Keithley 6485 is more "noisier" meter

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 04:56:29 am
content: As SMU-nuts may learned already, triaxial cable set for SMUs can often cost as much as SMU itself.I received today a jackpot, perfect match for my 4142B:This cable designed to connect 4142B with four SMU modules and one VM/VS module to the HP 4085B semiconductor analyzer switch matrix.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 09:13:41 am
content: Quote from: TiN on October 31, 2017, 04:56:29 amVery interesting!I bought the very same set a few month ago and have run out of Triax cables / connectors again !

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 10:26:59 am
content: Quote from: TiN on October 31, 2017, 04:56:29 amDang! That is a score indeed. I was forced to make my own and it still cost a fortune!

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2017, 01:35:43 pm
content: Quote from: TiN on October 31, 2017, 04:56:29 amIt looks like you are planning prober for Christmas