Infineon Selects Agilent Technologies' Semiconductor Parametric Test Systems for Testing of Silicon Wafers Used in Memory Devices

Business Wire, Jan 8, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2002

Market-leading Parametric Test Systems Help Infineon

Move to 300 mm Silicon Wafer Production

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today announced that Infineon Technologies has chosen Agilent's semiconductor parametric test (SPT) systems for production testing of silicon wafers used in memory devices. The test systems will be used in Infineon's Dresden, Germany facility as the company moves toward volume production of 300mm silicon wafers.

Infineon, one of the top 10 semiconductor manufacturers globally and one of the three biggest in Europe, has ordered several Agilent 4072A Advanced Parametric Test systems as part of a two-year, multi-system purchase for its 300 mm production line. The Agilent 4072A will provide an all-in-one solution that meets advanced semiconductor process needs by providing high throughput, production parametric test, ring oscillator measurement, flash cell evaluation and advanced wafer level reliability (WLR) tests.

"We are using Agilent test systems because of their track record for performance and reliability on our production line," said Peter Kucher, vice president and managing director, Infineon Technologies SC300. "The system's extremely precise measurement capability and high throughput allow Infineon to reduce its cost of test to keep pace with fast eroding memory chip market prices."

"Infineon is a technology leader in many areas and has been very aggressive in their push for 300 mm technology," said Minoru Ebihara, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Hachoiji Semiconductor Test Division. "With the 4070 series of parametric testers, Agilent remains the standard for companies requiring extremely precise measurements, high throughput and industry-leading reliability and support in a single package."

Agilent is the market leader in SPT with more than 2,300 systems installed worldwide, including more than 750 testers in the 4070 family. Agilent's parametric test systems are already installed in all of Infineon's production sites and had provided SPT equipment for the 300 mm pilot line. Agilent's "Test System in a Test Head" design minimizes parasitics, resulting in better accuracy, higher system throughput and lower cost of test. The Agilent 4072A provides advanced process testing capabilities including precision DC voltage and current, capacitance, flash memory cell testing and other high frequency tests. Test plans can be optimized for the specific process stage using Agilent SPECS (Semiconductor Process Evaluation Core Software).

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 41,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $8.4 billion in fiscal year 2001. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.