Advantest Reports On Progress Of Semiconductor Test Consortium Working Group's Latest Developments, at ITC 2002
STC Working Group Expands Membership, Launches New Website to Foster Member Collaboration
BALTIMORE, Md. — Oct. 8, 2002 — Advantest America, Inc., a subsidiary of Advantest Corporation (NYSE: ATE; TSE: 6857), today announced the most recent developments of the Semiconductor Test Consortium Working Group(STC) during a press conference at the International Test Conference, being held this week in Baltimore, Md. Officially launched at SEMICON West in July, the STC has been successful in developing-in just over three months-a new test architecture enhancement that will address nearly any type of systems-on-chip (SoC) test requirement, with the potential of eventually becoming a universal solution for all test applications. In addition, the STC has launched its official Website to foster member collaboration, and added members to its roster.
The STC is the first industry-wide collaboration aimed at solving the challenges of cost-effectively testing complex logic devices, such as SoCs. It is a nonprofit, international consortium that focuses on the support and development of the Semiconductor Test Open Architecture-a new framework created to enable open test solutions that offer true hardware and software interoperability.
Nick Konidaris, president and CEO of Advantest America, Inc., said, "We are pleased with the substantial progress the STC has made in the development of the architecture enhancement for the Semiconductor Test Open Architecture. Our industry is currently faced with two choices: continue on the current, crowded test-platform roadmap, or develop a streamlined approach that benefits the entire supply chain. We firmly believe that the Semiconductor Test Open Architecture will ultimately offer the only viable and cost-effective solution that will simplify the future of SoC test."
Expanding membership
With continuing participation from half of the world's top 10 semiconductor companies, the consortium has expanded its membership with seven supplier companies, including Roos Instruments; Stridge, Inc.; and Wavecrest Corp. The STC members are currently reviewing the draft architecture, with the ultimate goal of publishing the architecture and releasing the complete developer's kit-including software, hardware, documentation and training-in the first half of 2003.
STC launches Website
The STC launched its official Website today, which was designed to provide members instant access to the latest test architecture technology and to foster collaborative dialog among the STC members. Non-members can view the Website to learn about the consortium and to request additional information. To view the Website, visit: www.semitest.org.
First product resulting from STC efforts
In September, Advantest introduced its new CertiMAX™ event-based technology card as the first of several member companies' products to be integrated into the STC open-architecture platform. The CertiMAX™ card technology significantly simplifies the process of functional validation, debug, characterization and manufacturing test by allowing design data to be used directly for validation and manufacturing test without requiring vector or timing translation. The CertiMAX™ event-based technology card for the Semiconductor Test Open Architecture platform is scheduled for release in mid 2003."
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, Advantest's expectations regarding open architecture test technology solutions resulting from the Semiconductor Test Consortium (STC), the compatibility of the STC's open architecture test technology solutions with current technology, the STC's ability and timing in completing development efforts, the future success of the STC's product and process developments and standards, the STC's long-term plans to collaborate on developing the Semiconductor Test Open Architecture and the commercial availability of STC-developed products, and the ability of certain STC members to support the STC) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the results of STC's efforts to differ materially from Advantest's current expectations.
Actual results and events may differ materially due to a number of factors including, among others: future strategic decisions made by Advantest and other STC members; the ability of the STC to achieve the widespread adoption of its standards by leading semiconductor and equipment companies; failure of the STC to enable the production of open architecture test technology solutions that are feasible and are competitive with current products or future alternatives; the viability of the STC's open architecture test technology solutions and other intellectual property; the ability of the STC to complete development of its standards; lack of demand for advanced technology solutions that are developed using the STC's open architecture test technology solutions; cost feasibility of the development and production of solutions using the STC's open architecture test technology solutions; and the rapid pace of technological change in the semiconductor industry. In addition, there can be no assurance that the successful adoption by the semiconductor industry in general of STC's open architecture test technology will not have a materially adverse affect on the results of operations and future financial condition of Advantest. Other risks and uncertainties related to the changes in semiconductor testing technologies and other changes in the semiconductor testing industry can be found in Advantest's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. STC members assume no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.
About Advantest
Advantest Corporation is one of the world's leading automatic test equipment suppliers to the semiconductor industry, and is also a producer of electronic and optoelectronic instruments and systems. A global company, Advantest has long offered total ATE solutions, and serves the industry in every component of semiconductor test: tester, handler, mechanical and electrical interfaces, and software. Its logic, memory, mixed-signal and RF testers, and device handlers, are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor fabrication lines in the world. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its North American subsidiary in 1982. Advantest America, Inc.; Advantest America R&D Center, Inc.; and Advantest Test Engineering Corporation are based in Santa Clara, Calif. Advantest America Design Center, Inc. is located in Portland, Ore. The newly established Advantest America Measuring Solutions, Inc., based in Edison, N.J., distributes Advantest electronic measuring instrument products in North America. More information is available at www.advantest.com
CertiMAX™ is a trademark of Advantest Corporation.
For more information contact:
Torben GronningAdvantest America, Inc.
408.844.7805
email: t.gronning@advantest.com Dori Jones
MCA
650.968.8900
email: djones@mcapr.com