Agilent Technologies 90B manual Automatic Auto Tracking Operation, Complementary Tracking

AUTOMATIC (AUTO) TRACKING OPERATION

A master-slave connection of two or more power supplies each of which has one of its output terminals in common with one of the output terminals of all of the other power supplies. Auto-Tracking operation is characterized by one-knob control, proportional output voltage from all supplies, and no internal wiring changes. Useful where simultaneous turn-up, turn-down or proportional control of all power supplies in a system is required.

AUTO-TRACKING POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM

CARRYOVER TIME

The period of time that a power supply's output will remain within specifications after loss of ac input power. It is sometimes called holding time.

COMPLEMENTARY TRACKING

A master-slave interconnection similar to Auto-Tracking except that only two supplies are used and the output voltage of the slave is always of opposite polarity with respect to the master. The amplitude of the slaves' output voltage is equal to, or proportional to, that of the master. A pair of complementary tracking supplies is often housed in a single unit.

COMPLIANCE VOLTAGE

The output voltage rating of a power supply operating in the constant current mode (analogous to the output current rating of a supply operating in the constant voltage mode).

CONSTANT CURRENT POWER SUPPLY

A regulated power supply that acts to maintain its output current constant in spite of changes in load, line, temperature, etc. Thus, for a change in load resistance, the output current remains constant while the output voltage changes by whatever amount necessary to accomplish this.

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