WESTFORD, MA, -- June 12, 2001 -- GenRad, Inc. [NYSE: GEN], a global leader in electronics testing and manufacturing solutions, today announced large-scale in-circuit printed circuit board test capabilities in a small form factor, a testing solution that is ideally suited to today's more compact electronic products.

GenRad's new GR TestStation™ TSM includes all the features of our industry leading GR TestStation, but in a reduced footprint and with a reduced pin count designed to test smaller printed circuit assemblies. The new system debuts this week at the NEPCON East tradeshow in Boston.

"Many electronics manufacturers need the powerful capabilities of our GR TestStation system, but are testing smaller printed circuit assemblies," said Ron Lindell, vice president of GenRad's Process Solutions unit. "With our new GR TestStation TSM, we meet the needs of this important portion of our customer base while successfully addressing manufacturers' needs to hold the line on use of costly floor space."

The GR TestStation TSM platform is expandable to 1,408 pins and is available in multiplexed and non-multiplexed (all real) pin configurations. The GR TestStation TSM's UltraPin technology pin boards support logic levels, programmable slew rates, and patented backdrive control features that are programmable per pin.

Unmatched Drive and Sense Accuracy

With pin voltages accurate to 40mV, the TSM UltraPin electronics are the most accurate digital in-circuit pin in the industry. This accuracy allows the TSM to drive and sense voltages at the accuracy that is required by today's low voltage components.

Patented Backdrive Current Sensing and Control

The GR TestStation TSM has patented Backdrive Current Sensing and Control circuitry that monitors backdrive currents in real time. Special backdrive control hardware and software allow programmers to set backdrive current and duration limits for each pin on the PCB. These capabilities can be used to reduce component backdrive stress, improve test stability, increase test throughput, and improve overall test fault coverage. 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 systems have the capability to monitor and control backdrive on a per-pin basis allowing accurate diagnostic reporting and board specific backdrive control.

During the program development phase, backdrive reports can be generated to show the programmer which device pins require excessive backdrive current. The programmer can use that information to make changes to the test program that will reduce the backdrive current.

Advanced UltraPin Technology

In addition to unmatched driver/sensor accuracy and unique backdrive monitoring and control features, the UltraPin technology supports programmable slew rates; over-voltage protection, short circuit current checking ( to identify possible shorts between nailed and un-nailed nets) and multiple timing sets (for executing complex digital test vectors).

Full Feature In-Circuit Test Capabilities

The GR TestStation TSM supports all the test features of the full TestStation family, including shorts and opens testing, vectorless opens test techniques, discrete analog component testing, digital vector testing, reduced access boundary scan testing, mixed-signal component testing, digital and analog cluster testing, and frequency testing. Optional software also allows the TSM to program FLASH and ISP PLD components on the PCB.

About GenRad

GenRad Inc. [NYSE: GEN] a global leader in electronics testing and production solutions serving the worldês leading original equipment [OEM] and electronics manufacturing services [EMS] markets. GenRadês customers manufacture a wide range of advanced technology products ranging from computer, telecommunications and broadband networking devices to wireless products and enterprise hardware. With 37 offices in 22 countries, GenRad is comprised of four business units, each providing integrated hardware, software and service solutions

• Process Solutions develops products that enhance and optimize manufacturing processes. The unit's hardware products focus on in-circuit testing, x-ray imaging and rework solutions. Its software products address global supply chain collaboration and execution including Design-to-Build (D2B) software tools.
• Functional Solutions focuses on functional test platforms for manufacturers of telecommunications, computers and automotive electronics.
• Diagnostic Solutions Diagnostic Solutions focuses on service bay and manufacturing solutions for transportation OEMs and independent service providers.
• Support and Services Support and Services focuses on maintenance programs, on-site and remote support, and training to help customers optimize their hardware and software solutions

Founded in 1915, GenRad employs about 1,300 people with worldwide headquarters in Westford, MA, USA. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1978, GenRadês Web address is www.GenRad.com.