BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS -- June 14, 1999 -- Teradyne, Inc. (NYSE:TER) announced that its Javelin Flying Prober FP1004, a "fixtureless" manufacturing process test system, has been enhanced with new features that improve test throughput and device fault coverage for printed circuit board test. The Javelin Flying Prober has been updated to include the Windows™ NT operating system. New fault diagnostic tools consist of MultiScan™ vectorless test tools and Vision test. A built-in conveyor is fully programmable and SMEMA-compatible for integrated in-line test capabilities. The new Javelin Flying Prober features respond to manufacturer's need for faster testing to accommodate shrinking product life cycles in a high-volume production environment.

"The additional fault diagnostic tools give prototype test manufacturers a turbo-powered vectorless test platform. Because the Javelin Flying Prober eliminates the need for bed-of-nails fixtures, it helps reduce program development and debug time and expense while still providing high fault coverage for prototype testing and sample in-line testing," says Elie Bouskela, Teradyne product manager.

"The Javelin Flying Prober's in-line capabilities extend its suitability to sample testing in high-volume production environments. By leveraging hardware capabilities that already exist on the FP1004, manufacturers are able to integrate the Javelin Flying Prober with factory automated lines. The Javelin Flying Prober can be situated anywhere in the manufacturer's line. This makes prototype testing and sample in-line testing flexible and efficient."

Windows NT Operating System

The Javelin Flying Prober FP1004 now operates in the Windows NT environment for runtime production testing and test development. The menu-driven, graphical presentation of the operating system makes it intuitive for programmers reducing training and accelerating the debug process. Other Windows NT features on the Javelin Flying Prober include multitasking and support of Windows DLL (Dynamically Linked Libraries) and COM (Component Object Model) standards, which enable communications with other Windows programs, locally or over a network. The Windows NT software platform simplifies integration of the Javelin Flying Prober into factory networks and provides access to hundreds of third-party Windows NT software tools and utilities.

New Vectorless Test Tools

Two MultiScan vectorless test techniques DeltaScan and FrameScan are now available on the Javelin Flying Prober. DeltaScan measures changes in the DC current flowing through the protection diodes at each pin. This technique enables the Javelin Flying Prober to detect opens on integrated circuits, including BGAs and devices with heat sinks. FrameScan is a power-off technique used for testing multipin in-circuit devices, connectors and sockets. The FrameScan technique is especially convenient for surface mount boards. FrameScan can also be used on non-digital components.

Vision Test

The Vision test option utilizes the Javelin Flying Prober's precise fiducial camera to test component presence and orientation. Vision test increases fault coverage by testing non-electrical component characteristics, such as orientation and presence, by comparing a board under test to a proven good board.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing for the Javelin Flying Prober FP1004 starts at around $195,000 in North America. The test system is currently shipping to customers, and 65 Javelin Flying Probers are installed worldwide. Prices will vary outside North America.

Teradyne was the first major, global ATE company to offer a Javelin Flying Prober. The Teradyne Javelin Flying Prober offers rapid program development cycles, high power-off in-circuit fault coverage, precise, repeatable probing accuracy for fine-pitch SMT assemblies, and an available probing area to accommodate handling large boards. Its four capacitive probes and three-phase surface linear motors simplify maintenance and ensure long-term probing repeatability without accuracy degradation caused by wear and tear.

About Teradyne

Teradyne is the world's largest manufacturer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the electronics industry. Products include systems to test semiconductor devices, printed circuit assemblies, telephone lines, computerized telephone systems, internet and intranet networks, and software. The company is also a leading supplier of high-performance connection systems used in the manufacture of electronics. Teradyne's extensive service network supports customers through a worldwide service and application engineering network, with technical centers located throughout Asia, Europe and North America.

The Assembly Test Division, located in Boston and Walnut Creek, California, serves circuit-board test customers with comprehensive capabilities in test and inspection. These test instruments and systems are used in commercial environments and in military/aerospace applications where reliability, time-to-market, and in-line process test are key to success. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Teradyne reported sales of approximately $1.5 billion in 1998 and had 6,100 employees worldwide. The company's Web address is www.teradyne.com.