Why is the NI PXI-4110 Described as a Single-Quadrant Power Supply?Hardware: Modular Instruments>>Power Supplies>>PXI-4110
Problem: The NI DC Power Supplies and SMUs Help states that the NI PXI-4110 is a triple-output, single-quadrant DC power supply. However, the same documentation also states the NI PXI-4110 can source either positive current or negative current, meaning the output can occur within at least two quadrants. Why is the NI PXI-4110 described as a single-quadrant DC power supply? Solution: The NI PXI-4110 is called a single-quadrant DC power supply because each of the three channels can only output either positive or negative voltage. A multi-quadrant power supply can output in multiple quadrants on a single channel. For a more detailed explanation, see below. The output of a power supply can occur in four quadrants. Each of these quadrants consists of a combination of current and voltage polarity. Use the following figure to determine whether the output capability is sinking or sourcing for any given voltage and current, positive or negative.
A single-quadrant power supply is defined as one where each output channel must remain within one quadrant. The NI PXI-4110 has two output channels that can have a positive voltage and positive current, and one output channel that can have a negative voltage and a negative current. The first two output channels will always remain in quadrant I, and the third output channel will always remain in quadrant III. Therefore, the NI PXI-4110 is a triple-output, single-quadrant DC power supply. The NI PXI-4130 is a four-quadrant source measure unit (SMU). The SMU channel on this device is capable in operating in all four quadrants Related Links: NI PXI-4110 Triple-Output Programmable DC Power Supply NI PXI-4130 Power SMU NI-DCPower 1.2 - Real-Time OS, Windows 2000/Vista x64/Vista x86/XP NI PXI-4110 Specifications NI PXI-4130 Specifications NI DC Power Supplies and SMUs Help Attachments: 
Report Date: 03/31/2006 Last Updated: 12/18/2008 Document ID: 3VUECJLE |
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