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Posted in Featured Products

Meeting Advanced Power and Analog Test Requirements

By Derek Floyd, Director of Business Development, Advantest America

The market for power and analog devices is showing strong, consistent growth. Market research firm IC Insights forecasts that revenues for analog products—including both general purpose and application-specific devices—will increase by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% to $74.8 billion in 2022 from $54.5 billion in 2017. Power-management analog devices help regulate power usage to keep devices running more efficiently and longer, while the automotive application-specific analog market is the third-fastest growing of 33 IC product categories classified by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS).

With the heavy concentration in industrial and automotive applications, focusing the V93000 scalable platform on analog/power-management devices has proven a successful strategy for Advantest. In looking at where to target the next generation of floating power input voltage (VI) sources, a clear need was evident in three key market areas with high-power requirements: consumer power-management ICs (PMICs) for wireless charging of mobile phones and other smart products; industrial applications; and automotive power devices (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Top high-power target markets

In the automotive market, the demand for high-quality test necessitates greater test accuracy and stability, together with faster test times and more multisite testing – all enabling reduced costs. At the same time, in the consumer space, higher performance and higher-power electronics are needed to support fast wireless charging, i.e., a great deal of current is quickly dumped into the battery. Advantest meets these requirements with its latest floating power VI source, the FVI16.

Introduced in May, the FVI16 source supplies 250 watts of high-pulse power and up to 40 watts of DC power. These parameters allow the source to enable sufficient power testing of latest-generation devices while conducting stable and repeatable measurements.

Figure 2 illustrates the target applications for the FVI16, with 35- to 150-watt applications being the “sweet spot” for its capabilities. Leading the pack in terms of volumes is fast, wireless charging and USB power delivery, followed by key markets in the automotive and industrial arenas. The growth of autonomous and electric vehicles and more electronic systems on board all new cars will drive continued high demand for automotive devices. The automotive space comprises a wide variety of applications requiring power in the 50-100W range – examples include buck/boost devices, window control, braking and other safety-oriented functions.

Figure 2. FVI16 strategic applications

Key FVI16 Characteristics

The FVI16 source delivers 40W of continuous DC power, as well as 250W of pulse power, on each channel with no interruption and no dropout. This is crucial for operation in high-power environments/applications, and provides a significant advantage compared to competitive offerings. The industry’s most advanced, accurate and highly integrated card, the FVI16 offers more capability on a per-channel basis and a significantly higher level of integration – not to mention twice as many channels as other available sources. In addition, all 16 channels can operate in pulse mode simultaneously, be ganged and/or stacked, and each channel can run either completely independent or completely parallel, depending the user’s application requirements.

Other key characteristics include:

  • 16 fully independent power VI channels (4Q, Kelvin)
    • -60V … +60V, 3A DC (40W) / 10A Pulse (250W)
    • 18-bit force/measurement accuracy ±200μV / ±10nA
    • Highly flexible and transparent
      • Ganging up to ±155A
      • Stacking up to ±180V
    • Floating range of ±200V
    • 18-bit 1 Msps AWG and digitizer (voltage and current)
    • SmartFeatures: Smart Connect/Range/Setting/Mode
    • Synchronous operation to other channels and digital “domain sync”
    • Fully pattern-controlled deterministic setup & measurement
  • 16 high-voltage VI: -60V … +120V, 30mA
  • 16 high-voltage time measurement units (TMU): -60V…+120V / 45MHz

The FVI16 is based on the core digital feedback loop (DFL; see Figure 3) of the existing AVI64 floating source, which has realized significant market success and will continue to compliment customers’ low-power testing requirements. Both systems feature best-in-class accuracy, while the DFL capability enables simultaneous measurement of voltage and current to provide instantaneous power monitoring, and comes with a number of smart features, as noted above, including glitch-free connection, range, and mode settings on the fly in order to prevent damage to devices.

Figure 3. FVI16 digital feedback loop diagram and benefits

Already in use at several customer sites, the FVI16 floating power VI source has generated multiple orders from leading automotive customers. Flexible licensing arrangements are available to allow customers to ensure the solution meets their specific needs.

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Posted in Top Stories

PCIe Gen 4 Is Coming – the SLT Solution Is Here

By Colin Ritchie, Vice President, System Level Test Business, Advantest

The high-tech industry is currently in the midst of what has been widely cited by industry experts and executives as a memory super-cycle. Memory manufacturers, in response to sustained high demand for memory devices – including from the solid-state drive (SSD) market – are adding capacity to ensure their ability to meet this explosive demand.

The test requirements for SSDs comprise a wide range of variables that span many different engineering disciplines, as shown in Figure 1. One of the most challenging is the variety of protocols implemented, which vary widely in functionality and performance. Having noted this, it’s clear that the industry is moving toward newer, faster data-transfer protocols.

Figure 1. SSD test requirements include a wide range of variables.

SSD makers have traditionally utilized Serial ATA (SATA) or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) – both of which, while still in use, are showing signs of age. However, the more compact and easily implemented PCI Express (PCIe) protocol has become highly popular, both in standalone mode and as a transport mechanism for the Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) protocol (which is optimized for NAND flash next-generation NVM technologies).

While the third generation of PCIe (Gen 3) has met with notable success, the industry has been waiting for Gen 4, as it delivers capabilities previously unattainable with other SSD protocols. The new PCIe Gen 4 standardized data transfer bus will double the per-lane data transfer rate of the prior Gen3 revision from 8.0 gigatransfers per second (GT/s) to 16.0 GT/s. As a result, data transfer rates of up to 2GB/s (gigabytes/second) can be achieved with just one PCIe Gen 4 interconnection, and up to 16GB/s with an 8-slot PCIe Gen 4 interconnection for graphics cards and high-end SSDs.

The greatest beneficiary of this new implementation of PCIe will be the burgeoning Big Data arena. With the advent of the IoT and “smart everything,” a host of applications are churning out data in massive volumes. With its speed and capacity, PCIe Gen 4 will dramatically boost server throughput. At the same time, it will also place even greater demands on system-level testing (SLT), which has evolved rapidly to meet growing industry requirements for protocol testing at the system level. In the highly competitive SSD market, a test system that supports multiple protocols can eliminate the need for retooling and help speed transitions between product generations.

Another industry first for system-level test

Advantest’s proven platform strategy is ideally suited to system-level test. Both standard and custom solutions can be economically configured with the implementation of modular components developed for the platform. Its modularity and adaptability also are essential for optimizing manufacturers’ factory-floor configurations to accommodate new product generations – changes can be made quickly and efficiently with a minimum of disruption to the manufacturing process.

The flexible MPT3000 SLT platform was designed to meet customers’ testing needs for both enterprise and client SSDs. Already used by leading manufacturers of PCIe Gen 3, SATA and SAS SSDs, the MPT3000 portfolio has again expanded to accommodate the newest generation of PCIe.

On August 1, Advantest announced its latest industry breakthrough: the first fully integrated test solution for developing, debugging and mass producing PCIe Gen 4 SSDs on the MPT3000. The all-inclusive test solution enables SSD manufacturers to accelerate their newest products’ time to market.

The newly expanded MPT3000 platform is available in three configurations that enable it to cover all test insertions for PCIe Gen 4 devices (Figure 2), without waiting for third-party PCIe Gen 4 infrastructure to be commercially available:

  • MPT3000ES for engineering applications and program development
  • MPT3000ENV for reliability demonstration testing (RDT) and quality assurance (QA)
  • MPT3000HVM for high capacity and throughput in high-volume manufacturing.

Figure 2. The MPT3000 platform can be implemented at every stage of SSD test.

The holistic MPT3000 platform streamlines the transition to PCIe Gen 4 by offering users a test flow that spans design to manufacturing and uses the same tester architecture and software as the proven PCIe Gen 3 offering – giving SSD manufacturers access to the fastest, lowest-risk path to market. Its tester-per-DUT [device under test] architecture and hardware acceleration make the MPT3000 a single-system solution for virtually all engineering, volume production and built-in self-test (BIST) applications.

The newest evolution of PCIe motherboards is expected to begin hitting the market within the next six to 12 months. Developers integrating PCIe into their products need a reliable test solution today to ensure they are able to hit this market window. They need look no further than the MPT3000 PCIe Gen 4 solution from Advantest – available now and already shipping to customers.

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Posted in Upcoming Events

Advantest’s VOICE 2018 Developer Conference to Feature Innovative Technical Program, Forward-Looking Keynotes and Interactive Kiosks in San Diego, CA and Hsinchu, Taiwan

Advantest will hold its 12th annual VOICE Developer Conference on May 15-16 in San Diego, California, and on May 23 in Hsinchu, Taiwan, to help members of the international semiconductor community improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of IC testing. These international gatherings present industry professionals with opportunities to hear more than 90 technical sessions on the latest test technologies and techniques, meet with experts, visit the Partners’ Expo, attend networking events and conduct in-depth discussions relating to a broad range of currently available IC test solutions.

The detailed VOICE 2018 technical program is available online at https://voice.advantest.com/technical-program. This year’s program has been enhanced with fewer sessions running in parallel and will focus on timely topics in the automatic test equipment (ATE) industry such as hardware and software design integration, optimizing productivity, test methodologies, device-specific testing and – for the first time – the Internet of Things (IoT). In addition to paper presentations, Advantest R&D engineers and technology experts will be available to discuss other testing topics with interested attendees during the Welcome Reception and Technology Kiosk Showcase.

The U.S. and Taiwan events will both feature engaging keynotes touching on artificial intelligence (AI). At VOICE in San Diego, Mike Walsh, CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing companies for the 21st century, will present a keynote on “Reinventing Leadership for the Age of Machine Intelligence.”  The Taiwan event’s keynote speaker is Dr. Nicky Lu, chairman, CEO and founder of Etron Technology, Inc., who will address “Synergistic Growth of AI and Silicon Age 4.0 through Heterogeneous Integration of Technologies.” His presentation will be in Mandarin Chinese.

Managed by a steering committee of volunteer representatives from Advantest and its customers, VOICE is the leading conference for the growing international community of users and strategic partners involved with Advantest’s V93000 and T2000 SoC test platforms as well as Advantest memory testers, handlers and test cell solutions. The conference offers a unique opportunity to take part in making semiconductor testing operations as efficient and cost- effective as possible. Attendees gain and share valuable insights, build long-lasting relationships and learn what’s new about Advantest test equipment, handlers and applications.

 

Mike Walsh
CEO of Tomorrow
May 16 at 9:15am

Dr. Nicky Lu
Chairman & CEO
Etron Technology, Inc.
May 23 at 10:20 am

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Posted in Featured

Semiconductor Test Equipment for Enhanced Automotive Sensor Testing Debuted in Detroit SAE Conference

In April, Advantest exhibited at two consecutive automotive sensor conferences — ADAS and SAE World Congress Experience – both located in the Detroit, Michigan area.  Both shows featured the HA7200 system, capable of precisely controlling the temperature and pressure in testing automotive pressure sensors. Integrated with the EVA100, the HA7200 offers a sensor test cell optimizing engineering, prototyping and manufacturing processes.

ADAS which was held April 4-5 in Dearborn, allowed Advantest to showcase this advanced test solution for microelectronic pressure sensors used in making advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) for the global automotive market.  

At the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress Experience (WCX), Advantest featured the test cell focused on semiconductor-based pressure and temperature sensors.  The show was held April 10-12 at the Detroit Cobo Center. In addition to showcasing our solution, Judy Davies, Advantest vice president of Global Marcom, moderated a roundtable discussion on the evolving automobile industry electronics requirements with panelists from Elektrobit, Flex, Intel, Qualcomm, General Motors, and Harman. SAE WCX event had more than 9,800 engineering industry professionals from over 55 countries, with key auto companies such as Ford, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, etc., maintaining a high profile at the event.

Advantest’s WCX18 SAE World Congress Experience booth featured the HA7200 test cell focused on semiconductor-based pressure and temperature sensors.

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Posted in Featured

Advantest Partners with Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley for 13th Consecutive Year of Volunteer Work

On April 28, 2018 Advantest America sponsored, and took part in, “Rebuilding Day” in San Jose, California hosted by the non-profit organization Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley (RTSV). RTSV provides critical home repairs to community members as well as facility updates and maintenance to local non-profit organizations. Advantest’s Spring 2018 project collaborated with Life Services Alternatives (LSA), a nonprofit organization that operates community-based homes that provide residential care and support for adults with developmental disabilities. Advantest volunteers spent the day at a LSA home adding additional support, insulation and drywall to the garage where residents enjoy spending time and exercising. In addition to the garage projects, volunteers also installed a new water softener, cleaned the gutters, added gutter covers, and planted flowers and shrubbery in the back and side yards.

In honor of the long-standing partnership between Advantest and Rebuilding Together, Patrick Stafford (PS) and Werner Haberstock (WH), who are integral planners and participants at these events for Advantest, answered some questions about their experience.

What would you like people to know about your experience of participating with Rebuilding Together?

PS: Advantest America first partnered with Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley in the spring of 2005 and has since completed over 25 different projects during their semi-annual rebuilding days. All tasks are completed by Advantest employees who volunteer their time 2 Saturdays a year to take part in various construction and gentrification projects from painting walls and gardening to building fences and repairing roofs. Over the last 13 years employees have donated thousands of hours of their time to this organization and gained valuable new skills.

The people we meet through these events all have interesting histories/stories and it has been great to get to know them. Once, we were surprised to learn that we had selected a project house of an ex-coworker who had retired 25 years prior and was remembered fondly by some of our team members. This past weekend, we worked on a LSA facility where we discovered that one of our team member’s relatives lived. This is a ‘small’ valley.  

Rebuilding Days have been a wonderful opportunity for our employees to work together as a team outside of the office, get to know each other on a more personal level, as well as just being able to learn new skills. Some memorable events were — helping a 101-year-old woman who came to San Jose in the early 1930’s with her parents to escape the “Dust Bowl,” running across old friends or co-workers at various work sites, seeing the great work that organizations like LSA do, and working with the great people at Rebuilding Together who are very caring of each of the projects.

What are some of the more common repairs or upgrades done?

PS: Our team has taken on a variety of tasks which make the home/facility safer and more comfortable. This includes installing flooring, repairing and/or building decks, insulating and dry walling a garage, repairing doors to make them easier to open, replacing fencing, installing grab bars in showers, installing smoke detectors, building pergolas, gardening, and painting.

What are some more unusual/interesting tasks you have conducted?

WH: Building a pergola for a facility where the residents were sensitive to light was interesting as we had to build it from the ground up. At another facility, we were challenged when replacing flooring because the old carpeting was completely glued to the cement below. It took nearly a week to remove.

What are the people like who tend to show up and help at these events?

WH: The Advantest employees and their family members who come to help all have very different roles in our company, but they all want to help others. These are giving people, who do what is needed to complete the project.

Briefly describe how tools, materials and delegation of labor is handled.

WH: After we know what job we will be working on, our House Captain, Co-Captain, Volunteer Coordinator, and any other skilled people joining the project, will do a site visit and then meet to review each task. Most are knowledgeable in construction and can identify the materials and tools that are needed. As we get closer to the Rebuilding Day, we review the volunteer list and identify who may be able to help with different tasks. On Rebuilding Day, we will suggest the roles for the people, but also give them the opportunity to learn something new. Under supervision, we have had people learn how to use circular saws, jack hammers, augers, nail guns, and other tools. This has allowed people to take these new skills home with them to use in their own lives as well.  

 

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