The 370B Programmable Curve Tracer is a high-performance, GPIB-programmable digital storage curve tracer that provides static and dynamic semiconductor device testing. This versatile instrument stimulates, measures, and displays the semiconductor characteristics of a variety of two-, three-, and four-terminal devices; including bipolar transistors, field effect transistors, silicon-controlled rectifiers, diodes, thyristors, opto-isolators, wafers, integrated circuits, etc. A variety of measurements can be performed using either grounded-emitter or grounded-base configurations. The side, top, and bottom cabinet panels provide protection to personnel from operating potentials present within the instrument. In addition, they reduce radiation of electromagnetic interference from the instrument. The cabinetpanels are held in place by screws and four plastic panel retainers. To remove the panels, remove the four plastic retainers and three additional securing screws at the rear of the instrument. Pull each panel back to release the front edge. then lift the panels away from the instrument. Operate the instrument with the panels in place to protect the interior from dust, and to maintain cooling airflow. The collector supply produces AC, rectified AC, or DC voltages ranging from 0 to +/- 2000 volts. This high voltage, combined with a current sensitivity of 100 pA/div, permits extended breakdown measurements of a device under test. A step generator produces voltage or current steps of either polarity for application to the base or emitter terminal. The step generator may also be operated in a pulsed mode to control the power dissipated by the DUT. In addition to conventional curve tracer performance, the 370B Programmable Curve Tracer includes the following features: Digital storage capability that allows bright and stable display and useful cursor measurements. The 370B has a mass storage system consists of non-volatile IC memory and 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. Up to 64 families of characteristic curves and front-panel setups can be stored in a floppy disk. Up to 16 families of characteristic curves and front-panel setups can also be stored in non-volatile IC memory. The stored characteristic curves can be recalled for additional analysis and comparison. Two extended acquisition modes, called Averaging and Envelope. Averaging reduces display noise in high sensitivity ranges. Envelope mode displays only the maximum and minimum vertical or horizontal excursion of each curve, which is useful for detecting long-term variations such as thermal drift. Almost all of the 370B front-panel settings can be controlled by GPIB commands. (Exceptions are those controls intended only for manual operation, such as INTENSITY, FOCUS, GRAT ILLUM, etc.) Also, curve data can be sent to or received from an external controller through the GPIB. The printer interface permits sending displayed curve data and digital on-screen readouts to a printer without an external controller. Other features include an auxiliary voltage supply, cursor measurement readout, and diagnostic routines.