Parallel Test of Up to Four High-pixel TFT-LCD Source Drivers Yields Major
Reduction in Cost of Test
TOKYO, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advantest Corporation
(NYSE: ATE; TSE: 6857), the global leader in semiconductor test systems, today
announced the immediate availability of its T6372 liquid-crystal-display (LCD)
driver test system. Capable of testing up to four high-pin-count,
thin-film-transistor LCD (TFT-LCD) source drivers -- more than any other test
system in the industry -- Advantest developed the T6372 for use in mass
production of driver ICs used in high-pixel SXGA and UXGA LCDs. The company
will exhibit the test system this week during SEMICON Japan, December 1-3, at
Chiba's Makuhari Messe.
Driven largely by the rapid adoption of flat-panel digital televisions and
large-screen personal computers, demand for large-sized LCDs offering high
definition and wide viewing angles is accelerating at a rapid pace. As a
result, according to market research firm, IDC, the market for devices using
LCDs is expected to grow 15 percent per year over the next 4 years, while the
LCD market itself is expected to double in the next four years. Meanwhile,
annual growth of approximately 30 percent is anticipated for units shipped,
with pricing pressure on devices expected to increase significantly.
The T6372 provides a test solution designed to accommodate this growing
demand by accelerating the industry-wide trend toward improving LCD driver IC
productivity and helping reduce the cost of test. Advantest's solution offers
up to 256 pins for digital test on image signal inputs, and up to 1,536 pins
for LCD test on outputs, enabling the tool to parallel-test up to four 384-pin
TFT source driver ICs for high-pixel LCDs. Previous testers could only test
two devices at a time. Small and mid-sized LCD controller ICs with 768 pins,
used in mobile devices like cellular telephones, can also be tested in
parallel, two at a time.
To minimize interchannel deviation, Advantest's latest LCD driver test
system can also be equipped with a high-accuracy digitizer unit comprising up
to 192 channels. This feature enables the T6372 to perform high-speed testing
of a wide variety of devices -- ranging from the eight-bit driver ICs used in
products such as digital home appliances, to the 10-bit driver ICs
increasingly common in medical equipment and other professional applications.
In addition to these features, the T6372 boasts 125MHz digital test
functionality, allowing the system to support high-speed testing, as well as
reduced differential swing interfaces typified by RSDS, Mini-LVDS and other
specifications. As a result, all LCD driver IC functions can be tested using
the T6372 alone.
The T6372 is the next generation of the T6371, a high-speed,
high-pin-count tester for current LCD driver ICs. In addition to its software
environment and usability, the T6372 backward compatibility, and can therefore
be used with existing customer assets including test programs and device
interfaces when connected to probers and handlers.
Main Specifications
Devices supported for test: LCD driver IC, MCU, MPU, etc.
Parallel test capacity: 2/3/4 DUTs
LCD test fixture
Pin count: 1,536 pins (max.)
Digitizer: 192 channels (max.)
Reference voltage part
Number of channels: 128 channels (max.)
Digital part
Test speed: 125 MHz (Pin Mux 250MHz)
Pin count: 256 pins (max.)
Software: Viewpoint
About Advantest
Advantest Corporation is the world's leading automatic test equipment
supplier to the semiconductor industry, and also produces electronic and
optoelectronic instruments and systems. A global company, Advantest has long
offered total ATE solutions, and serves the industry in every component of
semiconductor test: tester, handler, mechanical and electrical interfaces,
and software. Its SoC, logic, memory, mixed-signal and RF testers and device
handlers are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor fabrication lines
in the world. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its North
American subsidiary in 1982. Advantest America, Inc. and Advantest America
R&D Center, Inc. are based in Santa Clara, Calif. More information is
available at http://www.advantest.com.
SOURCE Advantest Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.advantest.com
CONTACT:
Amy Gold of Advantest America, Inc.,
+1-212-753-0007, or a.gold@advantest.com; or Lisa Gillette-Martin
of MCA, +1-650-968-8900, or lgmartin@mcapr.com, for Advantest
America, Inc.
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