RastreCurve 2PLUS

Presentation:

Rastre Curve 2Plus is a defect tracking device, commonly known as a Curve Signature Analyzer, or
Curve Tracer thatt contains characteristic Curve Analysis features. Curve analysis is a powerful
testing technique for finding PCB faults: an AC voltage at a given frequency is injected into a pin at
a given point on a circuit board and the analyzer injects voltage and current
current resulting in a curve
shape on an XY screen. This display is a "signature" of circuit operation, which can be compared to
a known standard or "good" card. If the patterns do not match, the test board is defective. For
example, when testing a point, a capacitor
apacitor will show an ellipse, a resistor will show a straight line at
an angle, a diode shows the characteristic exponential curve, and so on.

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Signature analysis is popular in bench testing situations because it does not require knowledge of
circuit
ircuit operation and can thus be used to expedite equipment analysis and maintenance. Rastre
Curve 2Plus has a significant advantage over existing signature analysis instruments: it is cheaper
than existing signature analysis instruments and the test signal
signal frequency range is injected for a
very short time (1.5ms ) not to damage sensitive circuits ... In this software accompanying the
acquisition device, there are 4 test profiles:
Low Power: Indicated for boards where voltage / frequency are low. Also suitable
suita for boards with
high capacitance level, because the inserted frequency is 4 HZ.
Normal Power: Suitable for most tests, this option is already defaulted to start future tests, you
can change to your liking.
Automatic Power: Indicated when the board to be be measured is unknown, the current in this option
will be limited by the measured circuit.
Maximum Power: Suitable for power circuits, transistors, amplifiers, etc. In this option the
frequency will be higher.

With these options you can change as you wish during the test and during memorization so that
the results can be translated to more accurate values. "Curve signature" and other waveforms can
be saved, retrieved and compared to make this a valuable debugging tool. Allowing a wider range
of useful measures.
All functions of the instrument can be controlled via a USB2.0 connection from a computer.
Through our software that can be installed on Windows XP SP3 operating systems up to
Windows10, 32bits or 64bits.
Features:
Channels: 3, 2 for comparison and memorization
memorization and testing, and 1 for firing transistors, triacs, scr,
photocouplers, etc.
point, and three-point
Photo memorization, point-to-point, three capture mode.
USB Power Only
Test Profiles: 4 (Low, Normal, Maximum and Automatic Power)
Maximum Test Voltage up to 2.4vp4vp (4.8vpp)
Max Current 10mA
Test Voltage Application Time: 1.5ms

OBS: Testing should be done with the board and / or modules off and if capacitors are charged
they should be discharged.

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1 - Usage tips
• Do not put your hand on the board during the test as this may introduce noise or interference
in into
the measurement.

• If there is more than one ground on the board, we recommend shorting all ground
grou before starting
the test. Or memorize them in two or three steps identifying this process in
i the description not to
forget.

• If the measurements are unstable (the curves are not constant on the graph), try one of 03 possible
solutions to stabilize the screen
reen due to circuit operation.:
operation.
• Place a 10kΩ resistor between power and ground.
ground
• Oscillators must be deactivated (crystals, multivibrators, etc.).
• Change gnd reference to
o some common board point, such as positive.
positive
• Components from different manufacturers may have different curves, especially on reset, set,
preset and clear pins, as shown below:
below

If this difference is repeated across multiple pins, it may be an indication of a defect.

defect..

• If the equipment does not find any defects, it may indicate that any of the

CI's have an internal defect. We recommend that the user analyze the ICs that most have internal
defects, such as:

• Memoirs.
• Processors.
• Hot working ICs.

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• The graph format is the most important information for defect location. The numeric error indication
should be used as a reference only. Small error values do not necessarily indicate a defect, while
variations in graph format are indicative of defects. When you find this kind of difference, use the
Mark Fail in Test Mode option..

• Differences in the central part of the chart, even small ones, may indicate a defect. These
differences require greater user attention..
attention.
Practical example:
Look at the picture below.:

There was this case where I had a problem with the circuit, as I understand it was killing the voltage
generation in the TNY. There was a variation in capacitance in BYPASS due to a 100nf ceramic smd
capacitor that on the ruin board was giving below 20nf, so I saw. Taking that into account look

The circled point in this example is for the connection to an external bypass capacitor for the TNY
internally generated 5.85 V source.

This is a mode selector for the current limit value, depending on the value of the added capacitance. The
use of a 0.1 µF or 100nf in this
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capacitor results in the default current limit value. Varying it down can cause the blackout to function, as
was happening to it causing the malfunction.

Ass we saw above, a small difference, although small, indicates a possible defect..
defect.

• We can tolerate some differences on the left side of the chart as manufacturers do not guarantee
the characteristics for reverse biasing of components..
components.

• Low impedance components interfere with the test, especially high-value

high transformers and
capacitors not connected to the power supply. In these cases, choose the Low Power measurement
type. Removal of these components may be required for higher test efficiency..
efficiency.

• If most of the curvess obtained tend to indicate a short circuit (straight line), you may need to use the
Low Power measurement type where the 2Plus Trace injects 4HZ. 4HZ

• ICs that internally have a circuit called a charge pump, such as the MAX232, confuses the test. To
properly testt these components, you need to remove their capacitors.
capacitors

• • Whenever possible, test the entire board before commencing component replacement. Start repair
for the most serious defects (short circuits and open circuits).
circuits

2 - Characteristic Curves

Even without a good reference

eference plate, the VI curve is a powerful analysis tool. Each component has its own
characteristic curve. The following is a list of the main characteristic curves..
curves.

2.1 - Open circuit

The characteristic curve of an open circuit is a horizontal line.

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2.2 - Short with ground (0V)
The short is represented by a vertical line..
line.

2.3 - Resistors
The resistors will appear as slanted lines. The slope of the line depends on
on the resistance value.
value

Resistors with very low values will appear as short while resistors with very high values will appear as
open circuits.

2.4 - Capacitors
The characteristic curve of a capacitor is a clockwise spiral. Spiral width depends on capacitor value.
value

Capacitors
acitors with very high values will appear as short while capacitors with very low values will appear as
open circuits..

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2.5 - Inductors and Transformers

The characteristic curve of an inductor is a counterclockwise spiral. Spiral width depends on inductor
value.

Inductors
ctors with very low values will appear as short while inductors with very high values will appear as
open circuits.

2.6 - Diodes & Transistors

The diodes and transistor base-emitter
emitter and base-collector
base collector junctions will have the following curves:
curves

Diodes

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Diodes Zener

2.7 - Integrated Circuits

Pins on most integrated circuits have a characteristic curve similar to the following curve:
curve

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2.8 - Resistors + Capacitors
The curve will look like the capacitor curve only inclined.
inclined

2.9 - Diode+Capacitors

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.10 - Diode+Resistor

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2.11 - ICs + Resistor

IC

IC

2.12 - IC + Capacitor

IC

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