The GR TestStation family's innovations are focused around GenRad's new pin electronics that can both drive and sense at the accuracy that is required to test today's low voltage electronic components used in products represented by wireless telephony, mobile computing, Internet and private networking routing, and disk storage systems. The new pin electronics will be featured on all hybrid pin boards, the key modules in the GR TestStation in-circuit test systems.

The global market for in-circuit test systems is estimated at over $800 million for 2001. GenRad is a leading supplier for this market.

The new features further enhance the GR TestStation platform, which already features the highest available pin-count and the option of the only all real-pin architecture available in the in-circuit test market. Significant new features of the hybrid pin boards are increased logic levels, backdrive monitoring, and programmable slew rates. These unique GenRad product capabilities allow electronics manufacturers to:

• Double their production line test accuracy;
• Reduce production time and manufacturing costs; and
• Put more power and control in the hands of test programmers.

"Our new TestStation technologies significantly lead the electronics manufacturing market by improving many aspects of and maintaining leadership in the in-circuit test industry," said Ron Lindell, Vice President of GenRad's Process Solutions unit. "Advances in our TestStation line give both contract manufacturers and OEMs worldwide the powerful new platforms that will allow them to become more cost-efficient and, thus competitive, while still meeting the exacting demands of their customers."

GenRad manufacturing customers can improve their production line operations through purchase of new TestStaion hardware and software or by installing easy-to-configure upgrades on their existing TestStation systems.

Multiple Logic Levels

With pin voltages that have twice the accuracy of what was available with previous pin electronics, the new technology has the ability to address modern devices with multiple logic families up to 26 per device, with the correct input and sense voltages.

By increasing the available logic levels from two to twenty-six, GR TestStation offers the flexibility to generate high-accuracy tests for a wide spectrum of components.

Backdrive Monitoring

The GR TestStation now offers the unique capability of monitoring backdrive current, an important safeguard that prevents possible component damage during testing, and therefore, reduces manufacturing costs and production times.

As the bus structure on the latest products use 64-bit and 128-bit buses, control over the backdriving currents that flow through the device is essential. Faulty components can generate unpredictable backdrive currents - GR TestStation users will now have the capability to monitor and control backdrive on a per-pin basis, putting more power and control in the hands of the test programmer.

The new pin electronics can measure the backdrive current in the program development phase and continually monitor current and time during the test execution, to prevent damage and unpredictable behavior in faulty board conditions. The ability to measure backdrive currents also allows the programmer to guarantee test stability, with guaranteed tri-state conditions.

Additional Features

In addition to multiple logic levels and backdrive monitoring, the new TestStation features programmable slew rates for improved test stability; over-voltage protection that prevents damage to the hybrid pin board; and short circuit current checking that prevents damage to both the unit under test and the GR TestStation system.

GR TestStation Family

With the introduction of the new hybrid pin boards, the GR TestStation has added to its list of unique and innovative features. The GR TestStation can be configured with up to 7,680 pins, the highest pin-count capacity on the market.

Within the TestStation family, the GR TestStation 121 is the only all real-pin system on the market, offering customers full resources for every test node on the printed circuit board being tested. In addition to the TS 121, the TestStation family will now include the TS 124, TS 128, TS 124LX, and TS 128L.

Upgrades Available

Customers with GR TestStation TS 8X-series systems can upgrade easily to the new technology via a simple board swap program. By designing the TestStation frame with an eye toward future technology, GenRad customers benefit from a test platform that offers maximum flexibility, expandability and configurability.

About GenRad

GenRad Inc. [NYSE: GEN] is a global leader of electronics manufacturing productivity solutions for contract and original equipment manufacturers [OEM] of handheld and wireless devices, PCs and business servers, DSL and other broadband switching and routing technologies, and other devices integral to emerging Internet e-commerce markets. GenRad also applies its technologies to development of diagnostic solutions for the automotive and general transportation industry.

GenRad is comprised of four lines of business bringing to market integrated hardware, software and service solutions that empower always-on services and un-interruptable business applications:

• Process Solutions focuses on in-circuit test, x-ray test, and re-work solutions as well as plant and line management solutions for electronic product manufacturers.
• Functional Solutions focuses on functional test platforms for manufacturers of telecommunications, computers and automotive electronics.
• Diagnostic Solutions focuses on service bay and manufacturing solutions for transportation OEMs and independent service providers.
• Support and Services focuses on maintenance programs, on-site and remote support, programming services, and training to help customers optimize their hardware and software solutions.

Founded in 1915, GenRad employs approximately 1,400 people and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Westford, MA, USA. The company's Web address is http://www.genrad.com.