What is a Source Measure Unit (SMU)?

The Source Measure Unit (SMU) is an instrument that can precisely source voltage or current and simultaneously measure voltage and/or current. It combines the useful features of a digital multimeter (DMM), power supply, true current source, electronic load and pulse generator, all into a single, tightly synchronized instrument in a compact form factor. SMUs are considered more useful than the combination of any of the five instruments, due to the measuring instrument’s versatility and high accuracy performance.