News Briefs

Multitest launched its MT2168 pick-and-place platform at Semicon Europa (October 9–11, Stuttgart, Germany) with the goal of offering manufacturing flexibility and optimum tester utilization. The MT2168 base unit handler is scalable from an engineering configuration to a high-end production configuration. It supports various contact-site and pitch configurations to enable continued use of existing load boards.

In addition, the system minimizes the number of parts in conversion kits for different package types; conversion times for a single operator are less than 10 min. Conversion kits are available for package types including QFP, BGA, PLCC, TSSOP, CSP, QFN, PGA, and LGA. The MT2168 covers the range of ambient-hot applications (+155ºC standard, +175ºC optional) for devices measuring from 3x3 mm to 70x70 mm with a thickness ranging from 10 mm down to 0.3 mm. Contact sockets are available in standard, high-frequency, and Kelvin versions.

The MT2168 optimizes the tester utilization by providing throughput up to 20,000 units/hr with up to 16 contact sites while providing a soak capacity of three to five JEDEC trays as well as an index time of 0.38 s (single mode). The company reports that the MT2168 is designed to minimize the number of pick-or-place transitions—from the eight to 10 typical of traditional handlers down to five. Self-teaching processes replace manual adjustments, resulting in a system that is stable and less sensitive to adjustments. www.multitest.com.

7 layers has selected Rohde & Schwarz to assist in the establishment of a WiMAX radio conformance test lab in Irvine, CA. The lab targets equipment for commercial WiMAX services, based on IEEE 802.16e, expected to be deployed in 2008.

7 layers offers development, testing, and qualification services for GSM, GPRS, 3G, Bluetooth, and other wireless communication technologies. The company has sites in Germany, China, Korea, Taiwan, and the US.

“We have known 7 layers as an expert partner for wireless communications testing for many years, and we are certain that the test and support services they can offer their clients will help manufacturers to market their new WiMAX products efficiently,” said Jack Cowper, VP of North American sales and marketing at Rohde & Schwarz.

He continued, “Due to a WiMAX Forum policy, customers should be aware that in addition to the radio conformance test services 7 layers offers, final certification tests must be conducted at a WiMAX Forum Designated Certification Lab (WFDCL).” Cowper explained that 7 layers’ test services should reduce bottlenecks at the one WFDCL in the US. The lab, which is located in Virginia, was scheduled to open in October. www.7layers.com; www.rohde-schwarz.com.

Danaher reports that it has reached an agreement to purchase test-equipment maker Tektronix for approximately $2.8 billion in a transaction that is expected to be completed by the end of the year. When the sale is completed, Tektronix, which has annual revenues of approximately $1.1 billion, will become part of Danaher’s Electronic Test platform, where it will join the Fluke and Fluke Networks subsidiaries and nearly double the division’s revenues. www.danaher.com; www.tektronix.com.

London-based Intertek has acquired National Software Testing Labs (NSTL), a lab that performs functionality, usability, quality assurance, and compliance testing for mobile applications used in entertainment, gaming, and banking. Headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, PA, NSTL has additional offices and labs in the US, Canada, Brazil, India, and Taiwan.

The NSTL acquisition followed closely on Intertek’s August acquisition of Product Quality Partners, a provider of test services to wireless/mobile application providers, network carriers, and handset and accessory manufacturers who need to evaluate application interoperability and carrier network compatibility. www.intertek.com.

Data Translation’s TEMPoint, Model 9871 accepts 48 thermocouple or voltage inputs and provides a dedicated 24-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and dedicated cold-junction compensation (CJC) for each. Housed in a 2U, half-rack box, the TEMPoint provides 1000-V channel-to-channel isolation. A rear-panel, 37-pin connector provides eight digital inputs and eight digital outputs. The unit requires a 5-V power supply and consumes just 4 W.

The TEMPoint comes with either a USB or an LXI Ethernet port for control from a PC. The LXI version includes a Web server for instrument control from a browser.

The system’s application software lets you configure any channel as a voltage or thermocouple input. It supports type B, E, J, K, N, R, S, and T thermocouples. Each channel is individually programmable so you can mix thermocouple types. Maximum throughput is 15 samples/s on all channels. Software support includes the company’s Measure Foundry and QuickDAQ, Visual Basic.NET, DT-Open Layers, and Matlab. A software development kit adds support for other languages such as C/C++. The LXI version adds an IVI-COM instrument driver.

Price: $6995. Data Translation, www.datatranslation.com.

The Series 3700 LXI Class B-compliant system switch can control up to 576 multiplexer channels in a six-slot, 2U form factor and has an optional integrated 7½-digit digital multimeter (DMM). Together with plug-in switch and control cards, the Series 3700 can serve in a functional test system or in data-acquisition and measurement applications. It can perform multichannel I-V testing and accelerated stress tests.

The Model 3706 mainframe contains multiple processors to maximize measurement speed and system throughput. It features a single-channel reading rate that ranges from greater than 10,000 DCV/two-wire ohms readings/s at 3½-digit resolution to 60 readings/s at 7½-digit, 26-bit resolution. The Series 3700 is available with four mainframe options: with or without the DMM and with or without a front-panel display and keypad. The DMM option eliminates the need to manually coordinate an external DMM with a switch topology, freeing up development time. A USB 2.0 port allows users to save measurements to nonvolatile memory.

The Series 3700 also incorporates Keithley’s Test Script Processor for creating test scripts that are embedded in and executed within the instrument, enabling it to perform autonomously.

Base prices: mainframe—$1790; plug-in cards—$925. Keithley Instruments, www.keithley.com.

Optical Fiber Communication Conference and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (OFC/NFOEC), February 24–28, 2008. San Diego, CA. Managed by the Optical Society of America, www.ofcnfoec.org.

Measurement Science Conference, March 10–14, 2008, Anaheim, CA. Sponsored by the Measurement Science Conference, www.msc-conf.com.

APEX and IPC Printed Circuits Expo, March 29–April 3, 2008, Las Vegas, NV. Sponsored by IPC, www.goipcshows.org.

See our complete calendar at www.tmworld.com/events.