MILPITAS, CA -- 08/12/08 --
Credence Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: CMOS), a
provider of automated test equipment (ATE) solutions for the worldwide
semiconductor industry, unveiled the latest addition to its family of
value-driven instruments for the Diamond test platform. The 72-channel HDVI
(High Density Voltage/Current) instrument is targeted at significantly
reducing the cost of test by enabling large numbers of sites to be tested
in parallel. The HDVI instrument's high-precision source and measurement
capability is ideal for testing microcontrollers, audio, video, wireless
cellular, digital camera, baseband and power management devices used in a
broad range of cost-sensitive applications.
The industry-leading V/I channel count of the HDVI -- up to 432 channels on
the Diamond 10, and 1728 channels on the Diamond 40 -- results in
significantly lower cost-per-channel. It also helps to free up more
instrument slots in the tester, thereby enabling larger multisite
configurations. When combined with the Diamond platform's other
high-density instruments, HDVI increases the capacity of each test system
and consequently reduces the number of test cells needed on the production
floor. At the same time, throughput is dramatically increased by the high
degree of parallel test capability.
"Our customers continue to face intense price pressures, which is driving
higher-count multisite testing for cost of test and throughput
improvements. SoC/SiP devices are also growing more complex through
increasing integration of features, placing greater pin-count and test
coverage demands on ATE," stated Amir Aghdaei, senior vice president of
field operations and marketing at Credence. "Clearly, acquisition costs and
operational efficiency of the test system have become especially critical.
With the addition of the HDVI instrument, the Diamond platform can
cost-effectively test higher site counts without additional capex demand,
helping our customers to stay on top of rising demand and falling ASPs and
thus meet profitability goals."
Diamond HDVI Instrument: Technology Summary
The HDVI instrument enables efficient use of test head resources (slots)
via a broad range of functionality and innovative features that
traditionally required multiple V/I options on other platforms. The HDVI
contains 72 channels that can be operated in one of two modes: (1)
Voltage/Current Supply (VIS) and (2) Precision Analog Source (PAS). The VIS
mode offers 72 channels of general purpose, four-quadrant V/I capability
for up to +/-7V and a maximum of +/-2A. In the PAS mode, each channel is
capable of sourcing user-defined analog waveforms with very high accuracy
for driving analog inputs of microcontrollers and embedded ADCs to perform
INL and DNL tests.
Key HDVI features and benefits:
-- Industry-leading V/I channel density delivers best throughput and
parallel test efficiency.
-- Built-in, high-bandwidth input matrix allows external instruments to
connect to multi-use DUT pins and eliminate loadboard components.
-- Trigger control for source and measure memory synchronizes operation
with tester or DUT events.
-- High-current performance on large number of pins provides coverage for
the growing embedded power management features in battery-driven consumer
products.
-- High-accuracy voltage ( < +/-0.9 mV) and current ( < +/-80 nA)
measurements enable reliable testing of sensitive reference pins.
About Credence
Credence Systems Corporation is a global provider of automated test
equipment (ATE) solutions to the high growth, consumer semiconductor
industry. Credence is committed to deliver the highest standards of value
-- an optimal combination of technology, turn-around time, reliability,
ease of use, service and support -- to every customer, which enables
important cost and performance advantages for integrated device
manufacturers (IDMs), wafer foundries, outsource assembly and test (OSAT)
suppliers and fabless chip companies worldwide. An ISO 9001-certified
company with a presence in 20 countries, Credence is headquartered in
Milpitas, California. More information is available at
http://www.credence.com.
Credence, Diamond and HDVI are trademarks of Credence Systems Corporation.
Other trademarks that may be mentioned in this release are the intellectual
property of their respective owners.
Media Relations Contact:
David Pinto
Communications Director
Credence Systems Corporation
Phone: 408-635-4868
FAX: 408-635-4986
E-mail: Email Contact
