4200A-SCS Automation Characterization Suite
Standard Edition
ACS Standard Edition
Version 6.2 Release Notes
User Guide

General information

This document describes the features added to the Keithley Instruments Automation Characterization Suite (ACS) Standard Edition software (version 6.2).
The Keithley Instruments ACS Standard Edition software supports component characterization testing of packaged parts and wafer-level testing using probers. ACS Standard Edition software can be installed on any computer, including Keithley Instruments Model 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer and Model 4200 Semiconductor Characterization System (4200-SCS).

Supported operating systems

ACS Standard Edition software is supported on the following operating systems:
Windows® 11, 64-bit
Windows® 10, 64-bit
Windows® 10, 32-bit
Windows® 7, 64-bit
Windows® 7, 32-bit

ACS Standard revision history

Install ACS

To install ACS software:

1. Log in to your computer as an Administrator.
2. Open the ACS executable file.
3. Select Yes if you have an older version of ACS installed.
4. Follow the instructions to specify how you want to install the software on your system.

Once the new version of ACS is installed, the older version will be renamed. You can copy the projects and libraries from the previous version using the following steps.
To copy and paste folders:

1. Find the C:\ACS_DDMMYYYY_HHMMSS\Projects\ folder; copy and paste to the current C:\ACS\Projects folder.
2. Find the C:\ACS_DDMMYYYY_HHMMSS\library\pyLibrary\PTMLib\ folder; copy and paste to the current C:\ACS\library\pyLibrary\PTMLib\ folder.
3. Find the C:\ACS\DDMMYYYY_HHMMSS\library\26library\ folder; copy and paste to the current C:\ACS\library\26library\ folder.

NOTE
ACS 6.2 is based on the Python 3.7 programming language. If you customized your projects in a previous version of ACS you may need to change the projects created in the older version of ACS, which includes the Python language test module (PTM) script libraries. You can go to this site to review the Python changes for more detail: **<https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.7.html

porting-to-python-37>

**NOTE
When installing ACS on a 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer, the following applications use files needed to close applications. Select Do not close applications and click Next to install (see the following figure). If you select Automatically close the applications, you must restart the computer after the installation has completed.

Supported models and test configurations

ACS software can be used with the following Keithley Instruments in a variety of different test configurations. The ACS Fundamentals Reference Manual (part number ACS-914-01) and ACS Advanced Features Reference Manual (part number ACS-908-01) contain detailed information about the supported hardware and test configurations.

• Perform multi-group testing with Series 2600B and 2400 TTI instruments using ACS software installed on a personal computer or laptop.
• Control hardware using ACS software installed on the Model 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer or Model 4200-SCS.
• Perform combined group testing with a 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer or 4200-SCS, and Series 2600B instruments using the combined test-execution engine in ACS software.
• Control other external GPIB, LAN, or USB instruments using ACS software installed on a personal computer or laptop.

The following table summarizes the instruments supported in the ACS test libraries.

2611B, 2612B, 2614B, 2634B, 2635B, 2636B
2600A Series: 2601A, 2602A, 2611A, 2612A, 2635A, 2636A
2400 Graphical Touchscreen Series SMU (KI24XX TTI): 2450, 2460, 2460-NFP, 2460 -NFP-RACK, 2460-RACK, 2461, 2461-SYS, 2470
2400 Standard Series SMU: 2401, 2410, 2420, 2430, 2440
2606B High Density SMU
2650 Series for High Power: 2651A, 2657A
Parameter Analyzers| 4200A and the following modules: 4210-CVU, 4215-CVU
4225-PMU/4225-RPM, 4225-RPM-LR, 4200-SMU, 4201-SMU, 4210-SMU, 4211-SMU, 4200-PA, 4200A-CVIV
DMMs| DMM7510, 2010 Series
Switching Systems| 707A/B, 708A/B, 3700A
Pulse Generators| 3400 Series

The following probers are supported in ACS:

Probers| Manual Prober
Micromanipulator 8860 Prober
Suss MicroTec PA200/Cascade CM300 Prober
Cascade 12000 Prober
Cascade S300 Prober
Electroglas EG2X Prober
Electroglas EG4X Prober
TEL P8/P12 Prober
TEL 19S Prober
Tokyo Semitsu TSK9(UF200/UF3000/APM60/70/80/90) Prober
Wentworth Pegasus 300S Prober with SRQ check
Micromanipulator P300A Prober
Yang Sagi3 Prober with SRQ check
Signatone CM500 Prober (WL250)
TEL T78S/80S Prober
MPI SENTIO Prober
Semiprobe SPFA Prober
MJC AP-80 prober
Apollowave AP200/AP300 Prober
Vector Semiconductor AX/VX Series prober
---|---

NOTE
The graphical interactive test module (ITM) supports 24xx Touch Test Invent® (TTI) instruments and 26xx instruments at the same time. The 24xx instrument should be connected as the master and the 26xx connected as subordinate.
You can control any test script processor (TSP™) instrument using script test module (STM) script.
You can control any instrument using the Python language test module (PTM) script, including instrumentation from other vendors.
Also, ex isting ACS STM and PTM libraries support specific instruments based on the library definition.

Supported communication interfaces

• GPIB
• LAN (Auto Scan and LAN)
• USB
• RS-232

ACS Standard Edition Version 6.2 Release Notes
NOTE
If you are using a RS-232 connection, the instrument will not be automatically added to the hardware configuration. You will have to add instruments connected with RS-232 manually. Change the hardware configuration file that is in the following directory on your computer:
C:\ACS\HardwareManagementTool\HWCFG_pref.ini. In this file you will need to change the Baud rate, parity, byte, and stopBit settings. Review the following figure for details.

Software license

ACS allows you to create tests, manipulate settings, and view previous data without a license. However, you must have a license for ACS to control and retrieve data from a physical instrument. You can launch a one-time, 60-day trial for ACS after the initial installation. Once the license expires, you will need to purchase a full license to use the software.

License management

The ACS software license is managed using the Tektronix Asset Management System (TekAMS). To generate a license file, you must submit your Host ID to TekAMS. For more information about TekAMS, see tek.com/products/product- license. To find the host ID, open the License Manage dialog box from the ACS Help menu. Select License > Host ID

click to copy the Host ID. Select Install.

ACS Standard version 6.2

Enhancements

Hardware configuration

Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-594
Added support for the MJC AP-80 prober driver.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-593
Added support for the Apollowave AP200/AP300 prober driver.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-592
Added support for the Vector Semiconductor AX/VX Series prober driver.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-578
Updated the ACS Hardware Management to display the 4215-CVU model on the configuration page.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-569
Updated the Wentworth prober driver and merged the Smartkem P300SRQ driver to ACS.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-563
Added support for the Semiprobe SPFA Prober.
License management
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-618
Added support for the ACS-WLRFL-AN license and the ACS-STANDARDFL-AN license.
ACS software, plot and libraires
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-581
Updated the capacitance voltage ITM (CVITM) to support the 4215-CVU and added a step option to the sweep function in the KI42xxCVU library.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-580
Optimized the 4215-CVU slow compensation problem.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-579
Updated the generic HV libraries (GenericHVCVlib) to support a 4215-CVU.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-570
Optimized the PTM due to the slow switching problem.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-565
Optimized the ITM due to the slow switching problem.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-564
Added an “Old Parameter” in the Column Format option to the preferences page to save the legacy .csv files with the “parameters in column” format.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-557, CAS-87771-M8P0Q5
Added ACS plotting enhancements.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-539
Updated the graph Y legend color and the Y1 and Y2 autoscale feature.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-537
Updated the ability for you to move graph legends.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-536
Updated the graph display to indicate non-zero digits on the graph axis.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-530
Added a gate charge test to use with the PTM while using ACS software.
Issue number:
Enhancement:| ACS-337
ACS now supports Windows11.

Resolved issues

Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-630
The Model 708A is not functional in ACS with a PTM using the Switchctrl.py module.
This issue has been corrected.
---|---
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-623, CAS-105225-N8K2F8
ACS Limited Auto will not reset.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-620, CAS-103017-T4Y1Z7
When trying to delete a selected line in the ACS lot, the lot is not functional.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-619, CAS-102290-V1N6M2
The “Valid For Series” in the data tab caused unexpected behavior.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-591
The Keithley Instruments Model 7510 configuration will not function with the matrix card using the Hardware Management Tool.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-589, CAS-83785-Z9Z2N4
When using an ITM with the power on, the sequence of the power is slow when in IF mode.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-588, CAS-83787-D3F4D0
Using the Clear All function in the wafer map does not work.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-587, CAS-83786-D2F0B1
When using the Wafer Map Allow/Disallow function, it does not change the wafer map.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-586, CAS-84619-D6X6V5
ACS DC Compensation is not disabled.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-585, CAS-85224-D0R1S0
When using the ACS DC Compensation project with the devint() command, the routing will reset.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-584, CAS-85223-Q4F2K9
The ACS 2636B instrument IF Source Range 100pA is redundant.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-583, CAS-83407-H3N3N2, AR67308
ACS will not allow the AC drive voltage of a 4215-CVU instrument to be set higher than 0.1V.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-582, CAS-88396-D3L9B3
ACS v6.1 has data format issue.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-577
When using a GPIB communication you will encounter an error using a 24xxPTM instrument without an interlock connection.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-576
If you connect a 24xx instrument to a 4200 ITM, you will receive an error.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-575
When using ACS software version 6.1, you will encounter a scanning problem on the S500 system that has 11 nodes on a Model 2636B instrument.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-574
While using a wafer level plot, the bin color would not be visible.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-573
In the wafer level plot, you will not be notified if there is a problem in the wafer.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-572
When installing a hot fix to a file in ACS, you will receive a license error.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-571
If you select the P8 prober, the “All Wafers” selection and “Random Wafer” selection is missing on the automation page.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-568
Unable to install DDUFT-ACS License problem.
This issue has been corrected.
ACS-567
The Keithley Instrument Model 2290 instrument encounters a scanning issue and cannot be used in the power supply library (PowerSupplyLib).
This issue has been corrected.
ACS-566
The off sequence (off_seq) command will not reset an issue if the SMU is turned off manually or by using an ICL command.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-562
The Model 7530A card was displayed incorrectly in the hardware management tool.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-561
The capacitance voltage ITM (CVITM) advanced dialog box will not close.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-560
In the list of instruments, you will see a duplicate of the 2636B instrument and the 2602B instrument is missing in the demo instrument list.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-558, CAS-87915-C6Q7Y7
The capacitance voltage ITM in CVITM.py does not work.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-551, CAS-86141-Z2K7V0
The Model 2461 has issues with ACS PTM.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-541, CAS-86743-Q3H3T9
When using a Model 24xx, it is moved to the front when aborted while using an ITM.
This issue has been corrected.
Issue number:
Symptom:
Resolution:| ACS-540, CAS-86746-K5X7Y7
The ACS shut down command will wait and close after the Model 4200A-SCS shuts down.
This issue has been corrected.

Software compatibility

Issue number:
Resolution:| N/A
When you start ACS on the 4200A-SCS that has Clarius software version 1.4 or newer (with the Windows 10 operating system), a warning message may appear indicating that KXCI did not start successfully. Select Cancel to dismiss the warning.
---|---

To manually configure the compatibility settings:

1. Right-click the ACS icon and select Properties.
2. Open the Compatibility tab.
3. Select Run this program as an administrator and click OK to save.

Usage note

Issue number:
Resolution:| N/A
If you install a KUSB-488B GPIB driver, you will see the following message. You must select the Keithley Command Compatible option. Select Next to continue the installation.
---|---

Keithley Instruments
28775 Aurora Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44139
1-800-833-9200
tek.com/keithley PA-1008 Rev. T November 2022

Documents / Resources

| KEITHLEY 4200A-SCS Automation Characterization Suite Standard Edition [pdf] User Guide
4200A-SCS Automation Characterization Suite Standard Edition, 4200A-SCS, Automation Characterization Suite Standard Edition, Characterization Suite Standard Edition, Suite Standard Edition, Standard Edition
---|---

References

• Keithley Instruments & Products | Tektronix
• Product License | Tektronix
• What’s New In Python 3.7 — Python 3.12.1 documentation

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>