• Two channels
• Best-in-class resolution and wide bipolar range
• 6.5 digit (100 nV/10 fA resolution)
• 210V and 3A (DC)/10.5A (pulsed) ranges
• 4-quadrant operation

Power supplies/sources are essential instruments for test and evaluation across the electronics industry. The on-going industry trends of reduced power consumption and faster communication data rates increasingly require power sources that can support lower levels of current and voltage. These requirements mandate that power supplies/sources meet ever higher levels of performance.

The Keysight B2961B/B2962B 6.5 Digit Low Noise Power Source is a new bench-top power supply/source with revolutionary capabilities and functions not previously available. Its unique features include bipolar current sourcing and sinking, a programmable output resistance feature, and a time domain waveform viewer supported in the graphical user interface (GUI).

You can choose between 1-channel (B2961B) and 2-channel (B2962B) models, allowing you to select the exact amount of bench-top power source performance to meet your testing needs

Wide variety of applications

To reduce power consumption battery-powered devices continue to reduce their supply voltage levels, which requires ever more precise power sources to accurately characterize device behavior. Noise performance requirements also continue to become more stringent in application areas such as mobile communications due to higher data rates and faster clock frequencies. These technology trends make the testing of advanced products increasingly difficult due to their extreme sensitivity to noise and other external disturbances.

As a result, power supplies/sources with more precision, better noise performance and more versatile sourcing functions are now required. The B2961B/B2962B meet these requirements, and they can be used for a wide variety of applications that permit you to perform critical tests and evaluations that have not been previously possible.

In addition, the B2961B/B2962B’s superior performance and innovative functions make these instruments ideal companion power supplies/sources for use with other instruments such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, digital multimeters, and nano-voltmeters.

The wide bipolar (four-quadrant) voltage and current ranges of the B2961B/B2962B are capable of supporting both current and future testing needs. In addition, since they support both very small and very large current and voltage signal levels the B2961B/B2962B can often replace several other bench-top instruments. As shown in Figure 2, you can program any voltage and current value within the B2961B/B2962B’s wide output range without worrying about any zero-crossing glitches.

Unlike most conventional power supplies/sources, the B2961B/B2962B can quickly settle to their final value with 6.5 digit resolution throughout their entire output ranges. This reduces test times and improves measurement efficiency, especially when making multiple tests in sequence.

For applications requiring ultra-low noise performance, the B2961B/B2962B supports three external filter options. This provides you with the flexibility to select the noise filter price/performance point that best meets your needs. The low noise filter (LNF) provides the same level of RMS noise as linear regulator based power supplies and sources, while the high current ultra low noise filter (HC-ULNF) and the ultra low noise filter (ULNF) reduces noise to an impressive 10 μVrms. 

Both the HC-ULNF and ULNF reduce the voltage noise of the B2961B/B2962B to 10 μVrms in the frequency range of 10 Hz – 20 MHz. The differences between HC-ULNF and ULNF are voltage and current coverage. HC-ULNF allow it to source up to 21 V and 500 mA, and ULNF allowing up to 42 V and 105 mA. This outstanding low noise performance can be used to evaluate noise-sensitive devices and circuits such as ADC/DAC as well as many other types of analog and RF ICs. In addition, the HC-ULNF and ULNF minimizes the noise density to 1 nVrms/√Hz at 10 kHz, which is required for the phase noise evaluation of oscillator circuits such as VCOs, crystal oscillators, etc. There are two user-selectable output impedance settings, 2-wire (50 Ω) and 4-wire (low impedance close to zero), to provide optimal flexibility when characterizing your devices and samples.

The LNF supports the B2961B/B2962B’s wide bipolar voltage and current ranges (up to 210 V/3 A) while providing noise levels comparable to those of linear power supplies. In addition, when using the LNF you can still make 4-wire (Kelvin) measurements to eliminate residual cable resistance effects. For applications requiring a moderate level of low-noise performance, the LNF provides a cost-effective means to achieve low-noise sourcing capability for a modest price.

The B2961B/B2962B has a built-in voltage and current monitoring feature that enables you to verify the actual voltage and current output. You can view the sourced voltage and current values with 4.5 digit numeric resolution in both single and dual viewing modes. With minimum voltage and current measurement resolution of 10 μV and 1 pA (respectively), a digital multi-meter (DMM) is not necessary for measurement verification.

The programmable output resistance’s V/I emulation mode function allows you to simulate any DC voltage/current output characteristic. You can specify up to 16 voltage and current points to create the desired DC electrical characteristic. Since in this mode The B2961B/B2962B responds exactly like the equivalent device or sample, it is useful for simulating electrical behavior when an actual component is not available as well as for testing corner cases.

The B2961B/B2962B has a built-in web server that allows it to be controlled using a web browser. This allows you to enjoy the convenience of external PC control without the need for any special software. Simply connect your computer to the instrument via its LAN port, type in the IP address of The B2961B/B2962B unit and begin making interactive tests.