# HP 41501B SMU and Pulse Generator Expander (Pre-Owned)

# HP 41501B SMU and Pulse Generator Expander (Pre-Owned)

## Key Features At A Glance

-   Four built-in Medium Power SMUs (10 fA / 2 µV to 100 mA / 100 V) for simultaneous source-and-measure on multiple device terminals
-   Voltage compliance to ±100 V and current compliance from ±1 pA to ±100 mA per SMU to protect the device under test
-   Two Voltage Source Units (±20 V, 100 mA) and two Voltage Monitor Units (±20 V, 1 GΩ input impedance) integrated alongside the SMUs
-   Built-in HP Instrument BASIC, HP-IB, parallel printer, and 10BASE-T LAN interfaces for automated test and remote control
-   Sweep, sampling (time-domain), pulsed, and stress-force measurement modes with up to 1001 VAR1 sweep steps and 10,001 sampling points
-   8.4-inch color active-matrix LCD with graphics analysis (markers, cursors, regression lines) and built-in 3.5-inch floppy drive for setups and data
-   HP 4145B setup, data, and command-set compatibility for migrating existing programs and procedures
-   Optional HP 41501B expander adds HPSMU (±200 V / ±1 A) or additional MPSMUs plus up to two Pulse Generator Units

The HP 4155B Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer is a bench-top instrument for DC parametric characterization of semiconductor devices. The mainframe integrates four Medium Power Source Monitor Units (MPSMUs), two Voltage Source Units (VSUs), and two Voltage Monitor Units (VMUs) behind an 8.4-inch color LCD and a built-in HP Instrument BASIC environment, so the engineer can define stimulus, measurement, and analysis from a single front panel.

The 4155B is designed to set measurement and stress conditions, control execution, perform arithmetic calculations on results, display measured and calculated data on the LCD, and perform graphical analysis. Predefined library setups for Vce-Ic, Vds-Id, Vgs-Id, and Vf-If curves give immediate access to the most common transistor and diode characterizations, while user-defined setups can be stored on the built-in 3.5-inch disk or recalled over LAN.

ValueTronics International has supplied test and measurement instruments since 1992 from our 20,000-square-foot facility at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois. Semiconductor parameter analyzers like the 4155B are inspected, powered up, and functionally verified by our technicians on site before shipment, and we hold the supporting documentation, accessories, and triaxial cable sets needed to keep the instrument productive when it reaches your bench. Working with a stocking specialist rather than a drop-shipper means the unit you order has been seen by a person who can answer questions about its condition before the box leaves the warehouse.

## Brand Heritage

Hewlett-Packard's test and measurement business was spun out as Agilent Technologies in 1999, and the electronic measurement portion of Agilent was subsequently transferred to Keysight Technologies in 2014. Instruments originally branded HP — including the 4155B and 4156B parameter analyzer family — therefore trace their support and calibration heritage through Agilent to today's Keysight organization.

## Compare Other Models in This Series

The HP 4155B and HP 4156B share a common mainframe, the same 8.4-inch color LCD, the same HP Instrument BASIC environment, the same sweep / sampling / stress measurement architecture, and the same HP 41501B expansion path. They differ in the source-monitor unit installed: the 4155B ships with four Medium Power SMUs (MPSMUs), while the 4156B ships with four High Resolution SMUs (HRSMUs).

Both models include two Voltage Source Units and two Voltage Monitor Units, both support optional addition of an HPSMU (±200 V / ±1 A) or two more MPSMUs through the 41501B expander, and both can drive up to two Pulse Generator Units. The choice between the 4155B and 4156B therefore comes down to the resolution and low-current floor required by the application.

Each pre-owned model in this family is listed on its own product page with condition-matched pricing and accessory detail. Selecting the right configuration starts with the SMU type required for the measurement, then the optional 41501B expander, HPSMU, and PGU complement.

The 4155B's MPSMU has a minimum current resolution of 100 fA on the ±1 nA range and a minimum voltage resolution of 2 µV on the ±2 V range, which is sufficient for the large majority of digital-logic, power-device, and process-monitoring measurements. For sub-picoamp leakage characterization, gate-oxide work, or measurements that require an offset-cancellation specification at the 1 fA level, the HRSMU-equipped 4156B is the appropriate selection within the same family.

The MPSMU in the 4155B covers ±1 nA to ±100 mA in eight current ranges with a 100 fA minimum resolution and uses single-triaxial, non-Kelvin connection. The HRSMU in the 4156B extends two ranges lower, down to ±10 pA, with a 1 fA minimum resolution and dual-triaxial Kelvin (remote-sensing) connection. Voltage ranges (±2 V, ±20 V, ±40 V, ±100 V), maximum current per voltage quadrant, and compliance behavior are otherwise equivalent between the two SMU types.

The comparison table below summarizes the source and measurement floors, connection type, and standard configuration for each model so the appropriate analyzer can be matched to the device's bias and leakage characteristics.

Model

Type

SMU Configuration

Voltage Resolution

**41501B**

SMU/Pulse Generator Expander

Optional HPSMU or 2x MPSMU, plus optional 2x PGU

100 µV (HPSMU, 2V range)

4155B

Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer

4x MPSMU, 2x VMU, 2x VSU

100 µV (MPSMU, 2V range)

4156B

Precision Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer

4x HRSMU, 2x VMU, 2x VSU

2 µV (HRSMU, 2V range)

16442A

Test Fixture

6 SMU triaxial ch (or 3 Kelvin triaxial), 2 VSU, 2 VMU, 2 PGU, 1 GNDU

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Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.

## Product Core & Specifications

Parameter

Specification

HPSMU (High Power SMU) - Voltage Range, Resolution, and Accuracy

±2V Range

Set Reso: 100µV; Set Accuracy: ±(0.03%+900µV); Meas Reso: 2µV; Meas Accuracy: ±(0.02%+700µV); Max Current: 1A

±20V Range

Set Reso: 1mV; Set Accuracy: ±(0.03%+4mV); Meas Reso: 20µV; Meas Accuracy: ±(0.02%+2mV); Max Current: 1A

±40V Range

Set Reso: 2mV; Set Accuracy: ±(0.03%+7mV); Meas Reso: 40µV; Meas Accuracy: ±(0.02%+3mV); Max Current: 500mA

±100V Range

Set Reso: 5mV; Set Accuracy: ±(0.04%+15mV); Meas Reso: 100µV; Meas Accuracy: ±(0.03%+5mV); Max Current: 125mA

±200V Range

Set Reso: 10mV; Set Accuracy: ±(0.04%+30mV); Meas Reso: 200µV; Meas Accuracy: ±(0.035%+10mV); Max Current: 50mA

HPSMU Current Range Highlights

±1nA Range

Set Reso: 100fA; Meas Reso: 10fA; Max V: 200V

±1A Range

Set Reso: 100µA; Meas Reso: 1µA; Max V: 200V (Iout≤50mA), 100V (50mA

Output Terminal

Dual triaxial connectors, Kelvin (remote sensing)

Voltage Compliance

0V to ±200V

Current Compliance

±1pA to ±1A

PGU (Pulse Generator Unit)

Modes

Pulse or constant

Amplitude

0Vpp to 40Vpp

Window

\-40.0V to +40.0V

Maximum Current

±200mA (pulse width ≤1ms, avg current ≤100mA); ±100mA

Pulse Width

1.0µs to 9.99s; Min resolution: 100ns

Pulse Period

2.0µs to 10.0s; Min resolution: 100ns

Delay

0s to 10s; Min resolution: 100ns

Transition Time

100ns to 10ms; Min resolution: 1ns

Output Impedance

50Ω or low impedance (≤1Ω)

Burst Count Range

1 - 65535

Pulse Base Accuracy

±20V: 4mV reso, ±(1% of Base + 50mV +1% of Pulse); ±40V: 8mV reso

Pulse Accuracy

±20V: 4mV reso, ±(3% of Base + 50mV); ±40V: 8mV reso

GNDU (Ground Unit)

Output Voltage

0V ±100µV

Maximum Sink Current

1.6A

Output Terminal

Single triaxial connector, Kelvin (remote sensing)

General

Power Requirement

90V to 264V, 47 to 63 Hz

Maximum VA

350 VA

Dimensions

190mm H × 426mm W × 600mm D

Weight

Approx. 16 kg (option 412, HPSMU + 2×PGU)

**Important:** Maximum SMU current depends on output voltage: 100 mA is available for Vout ≤ 20 V, 50 mA for 20 V < Vout ≤ 40 V, and 20 mA for 40 V < Vout ≤ 100 V on the MPSMU. Confirm the per-quadrant operating envelope against your device's bias point before connecting the DUT.**Important:** Specifications are warranted at 23°C ±5°C, after 40 minutes warm-up, with ambient temperature change less than ±1°C after auto calibration execution, integration time medium or long, Filter ON (for SMUs), Kelvin connection (for HRSMU, HPSMU, and GNDU), and a 1-year calibration period.**Important:** The HP 41501B is an optional SMU and Pulse Generator Expander. It is required to add HPSMU, additional MPSMUs, or PGUs to the HP 4155B / 4156B mainframe.**Important:** The HP 16440A SMU/Pulse Generator Selector cannot operate without two pulse generator units of the HP 41501A/B (SMU and Pulse Generator Expander).**Important:** When using the HP 16441A R-BOX with the HP 4155B/56B, devices with negative resistance over 1MΩ may not be measurable, and DUT oscillations may prevent measurement even with the R-BOX. Whether oscillation occurs depends upon the DUT and measurement conditions.**Important:** Test fixture (HP 16442A), R-BOX (HP 16441A), and SMU/PGU Selector (HP 16440A) are sold separately and are not included with the HP 4155B / 4156B mainframe.Recommended pairing: HP 16442A Test Fixture for direct triaxial / Kelvin / BNC connection to packaged devices, or HP 16441A R-BOX to add selectable 1 MΩ / 100 kΩ / 10 kΩ series resistance on up to two SMU channels with automatic voltage-drop compensation.

## About this used unit

-   Warranty included
-   Functional verification included
-   Standard Calibration Upgrade Options: No Calibration Required, NIST Traceable, Z540.1 or ISO 17025 with Data, Z540.3 Guardbanding with Data.
-   Note that unnecessary accessories may not be included (contact Test Architect to confirm).

**Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.**

## Details

- **Price:** 0.0 USD
- **Vendor:** HP
- **Type:** Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer
- **Tags:** Agilent, Agilent Keysight, Analyzers, Manufacturers, product_manual_group_1, Product_used, Semiconductor Parameter

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 0.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- HP 41501B SMU and Pulse Generator Expander (Pre-Owned)

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> Source: [ValueTronics](https://valuetronics.com/products/41501b-agilent-semiconductor-parameter-analyzer-used)
> Updated: 2026-05-30