The GW Instek GSM-20H10 is a high-precision Source Measure Unit (SMU) that combines a highly stable DC power source with a 6½-digit precision multimeter.
During operation, the instrument can function as:
- Voltage source
- Current source
- Voltmeter
- Ammeter
- Ohmmeter
This versatility makes it ideal for component characterization and production testing applications, including:
- Nanomaterials and advanced components
- Semiconductor devices and architectures
- Organic materials
- High-efficiency lighting systems
- Passive components
- Material property analysis
The GSM-20H10 supports four-quadrant operation with a capability of ±210 V / ±1.05 A / 22 W. The first and third quadrants operate as power supplies to deliver power to the load, while the second and fourth quadrants function as electronic loads that internally absorb power.
While operating as either a power supply or load, the instrument can simultaneously measure:
- Voltage
- Current
- Resistance
with a basic accuracy of 0.012% and a resolution of:
For data acquisition, the GSM-20H10 supports a sampling rate of up to 50,000 points per second, enabling precise analysis of the Device Under Test (DUT).
Its 4.3-inch TFT color display clearly presents measurement settings, parameters, and results. The SDM (Source Delay Measure) function introduces a programmable delay before measurement, preventing unstable signals during transitions from affecting measurement accuracy.
The instrument also includes four programmable sequence output modes:
These modes allow up to 2500 programmable output sequence points, making the GSM-20H10 suitable for automated testing applications.
For protection, the GSM-20H10 includes:
- OVP – user-configurable over-voltage protection
- OTP – over-temperature protection to maintain measurement stability
The instrument supports standard SCPI commands and provides multiple communication interfaces: RS-232, USBTMC, LAN, and optional GPIB, ensuring easy integration into automated test systems.
Maximum Output: ±210 V / ±1.05 A / 22 W
The GSM-20H10 power source provides two operating ranges. The first range offers a voltage output of ±21 V with a maximum current of ±1.05 A. The second range provides a voltage output of ±210 V with a maximum current of ±105 mA. The total power capacity is 22 W. The instrument also supports full four-quadrant operation without duty cycle limitations.
Four Built-in Sequence Output Modes – Up to 2,500 Points
The GSM-20H10 Source Measure Unit includes four sequence output modes: Linear Staircase, Logarithmic Staircase, SRC-MEM (Source Memory), and Custom mode. These modes enable users to quickly generate the required output profiles for their testing applications. The system supports up to 2,500 sequence points in total.
OVP / OTP Protection Functions
The GSM-20H10 integrates Over Voltage Protection (OVP) and Over Temperature Protection (OTP). The OVP function allows users to define the protection threshold range, while OTP protection helps prevent measurement errors caused by temperature drift during testing.
0.012% Basic Measurement Accuracy with 6½-Digit Resolution
The GSM-20H10 delivers measurement accuracy of up to 0.012%. Its high-resolution display supports up to 6½ digits, enabling highly precise measurements, especially when working with low-level signals.
Variable Sampling Speed
The sampling rate of the GSM-20H10 is adjustable to meet various measurement requirements. Users can select a rate ranging from 0.01 PLC to 10 PLC. NPLC (Number of Power Line Cycles) represents the number of AC power cycles used for measurement integration. For example, with a 50 Hz AC power frequency, 1 PLC corresponds to 20 ms and 2 PLC corresponds to 40 ms.
SDM (Source Delay Measure) Cycle
At startup, the source output may experience a brief instability. The GSM-20H10 allows users to configure a delay between the source output and the start of measurement. This delay ensures that measurements are taken only after the output stabilizes, providing more reliable results. The programmable delay range is from 0 to 9999.999 seconds.
2-Wire, 4-Wire, and 6-Wire Remote Voltage Source and Measurement Sensing
In addition to standard 2-wire measurements, the GSM-20H10 supports both 4-wire and 6-wire resistance measurement configurations. The 4-wire method eliminates the effect of lead resistance, enabling accurate measurement of low resistances below 100 ohms at high current levels. The 6-wire configuration combines the advantages of 4-wire connections with additional protection against internal parallel resistance, allowing precise measurement of extremely small resistances such as thin wires.
Adjustable Display Digits
The GSM-20H10 display resolution is configurable. Users can select the number of display digits according to their measurement needs, choosing between 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 digits.
Built-in Limit Function
The GSM-20H10 includes a built-in Pass/Fail limit testing function. The instrument provides three limit lines and supports up to 11 configurable test parameter sets.
Battery Charging and Discharging Test
During charging tests, the GSM-20H10 operates as a voltage source with a voltage higher than that of the battery, causing current to flow from the SMU to the battery. During discharging tests, it acts as a load with a voltage lower than the battery voltage, allowing current to flow from the battery to the SMU.
Five Built-in Calculation Functions
The GSM-20H10 provides five integrated calculation functions to simplify measurement analysis: Power calculation, Offset Compensation Ohms, Voltage Coefficient, Varistor Alpha, and Percent Deviation.
Ordering Information
- GSM-20H10 – Precision DC Source Measure Unit
- GSM-20H10/GPIB – Precision DC Source Measure Unit with GPIB interface
Standard Accessories
- User manual CD (x1)
- Quick start manual (x1)
- GTL-207A test lead (x1)
- Alligator clips (x2)
Optional Accessories
- SM-01 – Digital I/O Adapter (DB15 to DB9 + 8-pin micro-DIN)
- SM-02 – Digital I/O Adapter (DB15 to DB37 + 8-pin micro-DIN)
- GTL-246 – USB cable (USB 2.0 Type A-B, approx. 1200 mm)
- GTL-248 – GPIB cable, 2000 mm
