Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2003--Teradyne, Inc.'s (NYSE:TER) Assembly Test Division today introduced the first commercially available 1394B bus test instrument that meets all the 1394B test requirements of Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The company made the announcement at the Autotestcon Systems Readiness Technology Conference in Anaheim, California.
The new instrument, called the Bi-420(TM) 1394B Bus Test Instrument, is the second-generation of Teradyne's Bi-4 Series(TM) of VXI-based bus test instruments. First shipping in Lockheed Martin's LM-STAR(TM) JSF production test system, the Teradyne Bi-420 is the only bus test instrument on the market to deliver a test interface with the parametric and performance capabilities sufficient to comprehensively test the 1394B technology found in the F-35.

"The F-35 JSF program is leading the way for rapid deployment of mission-ready platforms," said Rob Dixon, Director of Business Development at Lockheed Martin Information Systems. "Using a commercial bus like 1394B as an architectural centerpiece provides flexibility for this platform well into its service life. We developed the JSF-specific embedded application to support integration of the 1394B capability into the LM-STAR(TM) product line. "

Teradyne took an active role in collaboration with Lockheed Martin to provide test capability for this new bus protocol, and commercialized the implementation for use by the F-35 community of suppliers. Working closely with Lockheed Martin, Teradyne designed the 1394B bus test instrument to meet all of the F-35 1394B test interface requirements.

"Teradyne's 1394B bus test instrument is the only solution available to provide accurate test and emulation capabilities for JSF 1394B technology," said Steve Fairbanks, Teradyne instrumentation product manager. "The product is targeted at lead system integrators and electrical sub-contractors for the F-35 who are using IEEE-1394B protocol in their designs. For these customers, including users of the LM-STAR(TM) test system, the Bi-420 provides a unique test and interface capability, delivering JSF protocol solutions and parametric test capability at the test system interface."

About the Bi-420 Bus Test Instrument

Teradyne's 1394 bus test instrument offers the following unique advantages over other solutions on the market:

• Real-time bus processing, designed to exceed the high speed demands for real-time performance
• Parametric test port available to monitor all port activities
• Designed into the Lockheed Martin LM-STAR(TM) test system
• High-quality self-test matrix in each module, providing node and port verification at the instrument level and delivering a unique self-test "loop-back" capability
• High density: Offers 2 nodes, 6 ports per module with a total of 8 nodes and 24 ports in a single VXI slot, which is far more density than any other available option.

About IEEE 1394B Technology

The IEEE-1394B standard defines a multimedia serial bus that provides high-speed 1394B communications at distances up to 100m over standard Category 5 (CAT5) cables. 1394B technology offers significant improvements in speed and distance over the current version of IEEE-1394. As a result, it will advance home networking by giving consumers an easy way to create robust, high-speed connection among audio/video components, home office equipment, and personal entertainment devices in any room in the house. The 1394B technology is also becoming a versatile communications protocol that system designers of military platforms, such as the JSF, are deploying.

IEEE-1394 supports bi-directional asynchronous and isochronous communications at speed that exceed that of all other serial buses. In addition, IEEE 1394 offers a peer-to-peer architecture, allowing IEEE-1394 to be implemented as a standalone, extensible "virtual" backplane. The 1394B standard also supports IP and other packet-switched communications protocols.

Pricing & Availability

The Bi-420 bus test instrument is available in both QUAD and OCTAL node configurations. Prices range from $20,500 to $40,500, depending on node configuration and number of standard and 1394B modules. The product is available now. Delivery is 90 days ARO.

About Teradyne

Teradyne (NYSE:TER) is the world's largest supplier of Automatic Test Equipment, and a leading supplier of interconnection systems. The company's products deliver competitive advantage to the world's leading semiconductor, electronics, automotive and network systems companies. In 2002, Teradyne had sales of $1.22 billion and currently employs about 6700 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.teradyne.com.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, and integration of advanced technology systems, products, and services.