A new approach to a nondestructive reverse bias safe operating area test system

An approach to a nondestructive reverse bias safe operating area (RBSOA) test system that greatly simplifies system construction while equaling the performance of previous systems has been developed. The approach is simpler because it utilizes a single solid state device as the primary component of the protection circuit instead of vacuum tubes. This is possible because the measurement technique utilized here effectively eliminates the turn-on delay of the protection circuit which includes the unacceptably long turn-on delay of the solid state device. The system also includes several new measurement modes that were not possible or available with previous systems.<
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