Anaheim, Calif. -- February 25, 1997 -- Teradyne, Inc. today demonstrated the first VXI open-architecture manufacturing test platform for testing advanced-technology SMT circuit boards. Shown for the first time in the United States at NEPCON West, the next-generation Spectrum(tm) 8800-Series is the first board test system built around a fully integrated VXI system architecture for full-spectrum in-circuit and board-function test.

The Spectrum 8800-Series was introduced in November 1996 at Electronica in Munich and has generated orders for more than 30 test systems to date. Initial customers for the 8800-Series include Acculogic, AIL, Allen Bradley, Digital, Ford Electronics, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Nortel, and Spectrian in North America; Ericsson, Lucent, and Swaptronics in Europe; and Landrex in Taiwan.

"Our customers are very excited about the open architecture of the Spectrum 8800-Series," said Joseph Wrinn, General Manager, Assembly Test Division/Walnut Creek. "The initial positive response shows the value of open systems for manufacturing test. An open architecture lets customers implement different test strategies on a single test platform. By building the Spectrum 8800-Series around industry standards like VXI, PCs, Windows NT, and LabWindows/CVI, we offer customers the flexibility, ease of implementation, and upgradability they need to respond to today's fast-changing production environments."

Spectrum systems' channel cards, controllers, switching, and instrumentation modules are VXI compliant. Adherence to the VXI standard enables customers to configure and customize Spectrum test systems by adding commercially available C-sized VXI instrumentation as required.

This high level of flexibility is mirrored in the open software architecture, which employs Windows NT and LabWindows/CVI. This software platform opens the system to utilize hundreds of Windows NT programming tools and utilities. National Instruments LabWindows/CVI software--the industry standard for graphical development of functional tests--streamlines test development and debug. Over 500 hundred LabWindows/CVI device drivers for a wide range of VXI, IEEE, and GPIB instrumentation are available, letting users add third-party instruments for board-function test.

Spectrum's open architecture based on popular industry standards enables electronics manufacturers to employ a flexible test strategy. In addition to performing manufacturing process test, manufacturers can move product function tests from custom rack-and-stack or hotbed test setups on to the Spectrum manufacturing test system.

"Spectrum is the ideal test platform for manufacturers who want to increase final test yields, drive down overall test costs, and cut cycle time," said Craig Pynn, Marketing Manager, Assembly Test Division/Walnut Creek. "Advanced electronics manufacturers who want to move beyond simply controlling their assembly process with a process tester will find Spectrum the right platform to attack final-test costs and cycle times."

Pricing for Spectrum 8800-Series test systems starts at under $100,000. Spectrum 8800-Series testers are available now. Delivery time is 6-9 weeks ARO.

Teradyne is the world's leading supplier of automatic test equipment. Headquartered in Boston, the company also manufactures telephone-equipment test systems and backplane equipment. The Assembly Test Division, Walnut Creek, Calif., manufactures circuit-board test and inspection systems for the commercial electronics market.

More information about this announcement is available.