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Evaluating the current-voltage (IV) characteristics of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) requires the ability to output and measure both voltage and current. You can perform these measurements using a source / measure unit (SMU). A single-channel SMU is sufficient to test the basic IV parameters of an LED. Use two channels for optical tests, with one channel measuring photo diode current and the other driving the LED.
Protect your device by setting a limit on the voltage or current output and use pulsed measurements to prevent device self-heating from distorting measurement results. Also, consider implementing a 4-wire measurement scheme to overcome the voltage error caused by test lead residual resistance. Have one pair of leads forcing current and the other monitoring voltage to eliminate cable resistance effects by only measuring the voltage drop across the device-under-test. Four-wire measurements keep the voltage between sense points at the specified voltage, characterizing the device under specified measurement conditions.
Additional resources for LED IV characterization
Measuring the current / voltage characteristics of a low-power IC requires a variety of basic instruments including multiple power supplies, digital multimeters (DMMs), pulse generators, and digitizers. Learn how to characterize low-power ICs efficiently and quickly using a single source / measure unit (SMU).
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Characterizing wide-bandgap (WGB) semiconductors requires testing both static and dynamic parameters to avoid losses. Learn how to perform JEDEC tests for WBG devices, including turn-on / off, switching, and other standardized tests repeatably.
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Analyzing battery drain requires a power analyzer and battery emulation software. Learn how to emulate battery environmental characteristics and device current profiles to analyze your device power usage.
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