A web service and interface for electronic device characterization

User access to lab instruments is often accomplished with heavyweight program extensions such as LabView applets and plug-ins, which do not provide quick and simple remote instrument control. Instead, growing support for Web Services (WS) has recently enabled lightweight XML messaging for instrument control and measurement readings. Here we report the development of a WS and website interface designed for remote measurements of electronic devices, with class-room and Internet-wide applications. Using standard browsers (e.g. Firefox, Safari even on an iPhone) without additional plug-ins, remote users control a Keithley 2612 source-measurement unit and monitor results in real time from any computer connected to the network. This interface presently allows users to perform a variety of typical transistor measurements, but can be expanded to future applications in micromechanical or bio/nano device testing.