AMD Standardizes on Credence Sapphire ATE System for End-to-End Test of Next-Generation Processors
AMD Opteron Processor-based Workstation Reduces Test Time Up to 40 Percent, Boosts System Productivity
Credence Systems Corporation (CMOS - news), a leading provider of test solutions from design to production for the worldwide semiconductor industry, today announced that Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) has chosen Credence's Sapphire ATE platform as its test system of record. AMD will use the Sapphire platform for all of its advanced processors testing requirements, from development and characterization through high-volume production test. Early collaboration efforts with AMD resulted in an AMD Opteron processor-based workstation controller option for the Sapphire platform, achieving up to 40 percent improvement in test efficiency.
The Sapphire ATE system delivers considerable configuration flexibility with test capabilities optimized from DC to multi-gigahertz -- digital and analog, structural and functional -- with fully encapsulated instruments that can be inserted into any slot in the test head. Designed for simplicity and cost-effectiveness, the Sapphire is a highly integrated, small footprint system with reduced power requirements. Its high-bandwidth bus provides advanced communications and precise synchronization between instruments, enhancing performance in any configuration.
"AMD has chosen to migrate all of our next-generation, 65 nm testing requirements -- from debug through high volume production test -- to the Sapphire system," said Daryl Ostrander, AMD's senior vice president of logic technology and manufacturing. "It is an extremely robust, flexible and scalable system that delivers the performance that we need for a very low cost. In addition, we have been pleased with the responsiveness of Credence's application and support teams. They have worked closely with us to anticipate and meet our emerging testing needs, as evidenced by the significant productivity increase and cost reduction from the AMD Opteron processor-based workstation controller -- which has already been implemented in over 90 percent of AMD's installed base of Sapphires."
"Credence's business success has always been driven by our focus on enabling our customers to lower their cost of test," said Jean-Luc Pelissier, senior vice president and general manager of SPG and worldwide field operations of Credence Systems Corporation. "In fact, our close partnership with AMD resulted in the development of a new workstation controller option for the Sapphire platform that offers dramatic improvement in test efficiency. AMD's decision to standardize all of its next-generation processor testing requirements on the Sapphire platform clearly highlights the benefits provided by this industry-leading ATE system."
About Credence
Credence Systems Corporation is an industry leading provider of debug, characterization and ATE solutions for the global semiconductor industry. With a commitment to applying innovative technology to lower the cost-of-test, Credence delivers competitive cost and performance advantages to integrated device manufacturers (IDMs), wafer foundries, outsource assembly and test (OSAT) suppliers and fabless chip companies worldwide. A global, 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
NOTE: Credence is a registered trademark and Credence Systems and Sapphire are trademarks of Credence Systems Corporation. Other trademarks that may be mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners. |
