News
Agilent Technologies Inc. (Palo Alto, CA) introduced a high-speed production-test solution for identifying the maximum number of product defects at the lowest cost. BIST Assist 6.4 is built on technology that enables signal integrity testing of high-speed serial links up to 6.4 Gb/s using a cost-effective loopback/built-in self-test (BIST) approach
To date, testing devices with high-speed links has forced a compromise. Traditional at-speed test approaches of automated test equipment (ATE) and bench instruments offer the highest fault coverage but at a price too high for volume manufacturing of cost-sensitive, consumer-driven devices. Loopback test offers low cost but does not provide adequate defect identification. According to Agilent, its technology has the fault coverage of traditional ATE at the low cost associated with loopback.
The device provides a solution for high-volume testing of high-speed interfaces such as PCI Express, Serial ATA, Fibre Channel and Serial RapidIO. These high-speed interfaces are becoming pervasive in current and future-generation convergence devices such as media PCs, disk drives, set top boxes and digital video recorders. The continuing trend toward miniaturization and higher functionality drives the need for faster system links on a device or on a circuit board.
The new technology provides at-speed level control and precision and adjustable jitter injection up to 430 ps, exercising high-speed link performance and expanding fault coverage. Because it is a calibrated solution within the test head, it is both a robust production and an efficient characterization solution. Each card provides four loops (16 differential pins) operating up to 6.4 Gb/s.
www.agilent.com
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
FEINFOCUS (Stamford, CT), a global supplier of Microfocus x-ray inspection systems and tube technology, has agreed to be acquired by COMET AG (Flamatt, Switzerland), a supplier of conventional x-ray tubes for non-destructive testing (NDT), security, analytics, food inspection/irradiation and semiconductor applications. FEINFOCUS is known for microfocus and nanofocus x-ray inspection for electronics assembly, semiconductor and medical device industries, as well as NDT and the emerging micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) markets.
This acquisition represents a partnering of microfocus and conventional x-ray technology. A provider of sealed x-ray tube manufacturing, COMET will be acquiring a provider of demountable, or open, x-ray tube technology.
Both companies seek to capitalize on continuing opportunities from industry trends toward smaller feature sizes, 3-D computed tomography (CT) applications and the departure from film-based imaging.
FEINFOCUS chief executive officer Lance A. Scott said, "With well over 50 years' experience in high voltage/high vacuum x-ray tube manufacturing, COMET's proprietary know-how will accelerate FEINFOCUS' development of next generation microfocus and nanofocus X-ray technology. FEINFOCUS' proprietary system development know-how and award-winning service support will extend COMET's ability to offer proven sub-system solutions to its valued customer base."
Organizationally, there is little duplication between the two companies. FEINFOCUS will immediately expand its presence in Asia through COMET's Shanghai office and COMET will take advantage of FEINFOCUS' North American presence in Connecticut and California.
FEINFOCUS
was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Garbsen, Germany. COMET was
founded in 1948. In 2003, COMET employed a staff of 245 in its
headquarters and its three subsidiaries in the US, France and China.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
FEINFOCUS (Stamford, CT) has introduced the COUGAR-VXP (Versatile X-ray Platform), a new modular x-ray inspection platform for maximum operator flexibility. The new platform addresses a broad range of inspection requirements throughout the industry, from basic failure analysis to high-end inspection for SMT production. The COUGAR-VXP was developed as a versatile X-ray inspection solution to constantly changing market and application requirements in the worldwide electronics industries.
The basic platform provides for further equipment and accessory implementation, depending on the particular needs of the customer. The initial configuration includes a standard microfocus x-ray tube up to 160 kV, true x-ray intensity (TXI) Control, a standard four-axes manipulator, an advanced realtime image processing system and a standard realtime image chain with high-resolution 4 in. image intensifier and flat-screen monitor.
Users also have the option of adding features such as a more sophisticated manipulator system, CNC capability, higher-bit image chain, direct digital detector (DDD) and a multifocus x-ray tube up to 160 kV.
The platform features a small footprint (approximately 1 x 1 m); low system weight (approximately 1.450kg); and convenient front and side door service access.
An advanced surface-mount configuration is also available, featuring a higher-bit image chain with 16-bit realtime image processing, CNC capability, digital detector, and oblique viewing capability with AIM technology.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
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