The Agilent 4155C Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer and Agilent 4156C Precision Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer are integrated DC parametric characterization instruments built around Source Monitor Units (SMUs) that can simultaneously source and measure voltage and current on the device under test. The 4155C ships standard with four Medium Power SMUs (MPSMU), while the 4156C ships with four High Resolution SMUs (HRSMU); both mainframes include two Voltage Monitor Units, two Voltage Source Units, a Ground Unit, an 8.4-inch color LCD, built-in Instrument BASIC, and the I/CV 2.1 Lite automation software with a PC-based controller and Agilent 82357A USB/GPIB interface.

These analyzers are used to set measurement and stress conditions, control measurement and stress execution, perform arithmetic calculations on measured data, display and graphically analyze results on the built-in LCD, store and recall measurement setups and data, and produce hardcopy output to printers or plotters. The datasheet lists sample application programs including Flash EEPROM test, TDDB, Constant I (electromigration test), V-Ramp test, J-Ramp test, SWEAT, GO/NO-GO test, HCI degradation test, and charging pump test, along with a sample VEE program for Vth measurement using the analyzer with an E5250A switch and a wafer prober.

Brand Heritage

Hewlett-Packard's test and measurement business was spun off as Agilent Technologies in 1999. In 2014, Agilent's electronic measurement business was further separated as Keysight Technologies. Instruments originally branded HP, then Agilent, are now in the Keysight product lineage; the 4155C and 4156C carry Agilent branding from this transition period.

Compare Other Models in This Series

The Agilent 4155C and 4156C share the same mainframe architecture, the same 8.4-inch color LCD, the same Instrument BASIC environment, the same GPIB/parallel/LAN interface set, and the same I/CV 2.1 Lite automation bundle. Both accept the optional 41501B SMU and Pulse Generator Expander, which adds either a High Power SMU (HPSMU) rated to 1 A / 200 V or additional Medium Power SMUs, plus up to two Pulse Generator Units. The Ground Unit, two Voltage Source Units, and two Voltage Monitor Units are common to both models.

The point of difference between the two models is the standard SMU population. The 4155C ships with four Medium Power SMUs (MPSMU), while the 4156C ships with four High Resolution SMUs (HRSMU). The HRSMU resolves current to 1 fA and voltage to 2 µV at its finest range; the MPSMU resolves current to 10 fA and voltage to 2 µV. Both SMU types share the same 100 mA / 100 V output envelope and the same 6-digit display resolution at each current range.

Each pre-owned 4155C and 4156C model below is listed as its own product page with condition-matched pricing and ValueTronics processing. Click into the page for the specific model your application requires to see current availability and configuration details.

The 4156C is positioned by Agilent as the precision variant of this analyzer family — the HRSMU's 1 fA / 2 µV resolution and the dual triaxial Kelvin (remote sensing) connection on every HRSMU channel are the distinguishing characteristics versus the 4155C's MPSMU configuration with single triaxial non-Kelvin connectors.

Three primary differences distinguish the two mainframes per the datasheet. First, SMU type: 4156C uses HRSMU (1 fA / 2 µV resolution, dual triaxial Kelvin connectors with remote sensing), while 4155C uses MPSMU (10 fA / 2 µV resolution, single triaxial non-Kelvin connectors). Second, current compliance range: HRSMU current compliance starts at ±100 fA, while MPSMU current compliance starts at ±1 pA. Third, the lowest measurement current ranges: the HRSMU adds ±10 pA and ±100 pA ranges below the ±1 nA range common to both SMU types.

The comparison table that accompanies this section captures the headline configuration and SMU resolution differences between the two mainframes. For application sizing, the question to work through is whether your characterization work requires sub-pA current measurement (HRSMU/4156C territory) or whether the MPSMU's 1 nA lowest range and 10 fA resolution provides adequate headroom (4155C territory). Both mainframes share the same expansion path through the 41501B.

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

Accessories Supplied

• Triaxial cable, 4 ea.
• Coaxial cable, 4 ea.
• Interlock cable, 1 ea.
• Keyboard, 1 ea.
• User manual, 1 set
• Sample application program disk, 1 ea.
• Sample VEE program disk, 1 ea.
• VXIplug&play drivers disk for the 4155C and 4156C, 1 ea.
• VXIplug&play drivers disk for the E5250A, 1 ea.
• LAN Interface Test Adapter, 1 ea.
• I/CV 2.1 Lite automation software
• PC-based instrument controller
• Agilent 82357A USB/GPIB interface

Product Core & Specifications

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.