4200A-SCS Automation Characterization Suite
Standard Edition
ACS Standard Edition
Version 6.2 Release Notes
User Guide

General information

This document describes the features added to the Keithley Instruments Automation Characterization Suite (ACS) Standard Edition software (version 6.2).
The Keithley Instruments ACS Standard Edition software supports component characterization testing of packaged parts and wafer-level testing using probers. ACS Standard Edition software can be installed on any computer, including Keithley Instruments Model 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer and Model 4200 Semiconductor Characterization System (4200-SCS).

Supported operating systems

ACS Standard Edition software is supported on the following operating systems:
Windows® 11, 64-bit
Windows® 10, 64-bit
Windows® 10, 32-bit
Windows® 7, 64-bit
Windows® 7, 32-bit

ACS Standard revision history

Install ACS

To install ACS software:

1. Log in to your computer as an Administrator.
2. Open the ACS executable file.
3. Select Yes if you have an older version of ACS installed.
4. Follow the instructions to specify how you want to install the software on your system.

Once the new version of ACS is installed, the older version will be renamed. You can copy the projects and libraries from the previous version using the following steps.
To copy and paste folders:

1. Find the C:\ACS_DDMMYYYY_HHMMSS\Projects\ folder; copy and paste to the current C:\ACS\Projects folder.
2. Find the C:\ACS_DDMMYYYY_HHMMSS\library\pyLibrary\PTMLib\ folder; copy and paste to the current C:\ACS\library\pyLibrary\PTMLib\ folder.
3. Find the C:\ACS\DDMMYYYY_HHMMSS\library\26library\ folder; copy and paste to the current C:\ACS\library\26library\ folder.

NOTE
ACS 6.2 is based on the Python 3.7 programming language. If you customized your projects in a previous version of ACS you may need to change the projects created in the older version of ACS, which includes the Python language test module (PTM) script libraries. You can go to this site to review the Python changes for more detail: https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.7.html#porting-to-python-37
NOTE
When installing ACS on a 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer, the following applications use files needed to close applications. Select Do not close applications and click Next to install (see the following figure). If you select Automatically close the applications, you must restart the computer after the installation has completed.

Supported models and test configurations

ACS software can be used with the following Keithley Instruments in a variety of different test configurations. The ACS Fundamentals Reference Manual (part number ACS-914-01) and ACS Advanced Features Reference Manual (part number ACS-908-01) contain detailed information about the supported hardware and test configurations.

• Perform multi-group testing with Series 2600B and 2400 TTI instruments using ACS software installed on a personal computer or laptop.
• Control hardware using ACS software installed on the Model 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer or Model 4200-SCS.
• Perform combined group testing with a 4200A-SCS Parameter Analyzer or 4200-SCS, and Series 2600B instruments using the combined test-execution engine in ACS software.
• Control other external GPIB, LAN, or USB instruments using ACS software installed on a personal computer or laptop.

The following table summarizes the instruments supported in the ACS test libraries.

The following probers are supported in ACS:

NOTE
The graphical interactive test module (ITM) supports 24xx Touch Test Invent® (TTI) instruments and 26xx instruments at the same time. The 24xx instrument should be connected as the master and the 26xx connected as subordinate.
You can control any test script processor (TSP™) instrument using script test module (STM) script.
You can control any instrument using the Python language test module (PTM) script, including instrumentation from other vendors.
Also, ex isting ACS STM and PTM libraries support specific instruments based on the library definition.

Supported communication interfaces

• GPIB
• LAN (Auto Scan and LAN)
• USB
• RS-232

ACS Standard Edition Version 6.2 Release Notes
NOTE
If you are using a RS-232 connection, the instrument will not be automatically added to the hardware configuration. You will have to add instruments connected with RS-232 manually. Change the hardware configuration file that is in the following directory on your computer:
C:\ACS\HardwareManagementTool\HWCFG_pref.ini. In this file you will need to change the Baud rate, parity, byte, and stopBit settings. Review the following figure for details.

Software license

ACS allows you to create tests, manipulate settings, and view previous data without a license. However, you must have a license for ACS to control and retrieve data from a physical instrument. You can launch a one-time, 60-day trial for ACS after the initial installation. Once the license expires, you will need to purchase a full license to use the software.

License management

The ACS software license is managed using the Tektronix Asset Management System (TekAMS). To generate a license file, you must submit your Host ID to TekAMS. For more information about TekAMS, see tek.com/products/product-license. To find the host ID, open the License Manage dialog box from the ACS Help menu. Select License > Host ID > click to copy the Host ID. Select Install.

ACS Standard version 6.2

Enhancements

Resolved issues 

Software compatibility

To manually configure the compatibility settings:

1. Right-click the ACS icon and select Properties.
2. Open the Compatibility tab.
3. Select Run this program as an administrator and click OK to save.

Usage note 

Keithley Instruments
28775 Aurora Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44139
1-800-833-9200
tek.com/keithleyPA-1008 Rev. T November 2022

Documents / Resources

KEITHLEY 4200A-SCS Automation Characterization Suite Standard Edition [pdf] User Guide 4200A-SCS Automation Characterization Suite Standard Edition, 4200A-SCS, Automation Characterization Suite Standard Edition, Characterization Suite Standard Edition, Suite Standard Edition, Standard Edition

References

• User Manual