Press Release

GuideTech and KVD Target Low-Cost Automated Test Solution for CMOS Imaging and other Cost-Sensitive Consumer Devices

Integrated system to be displayed at SEMICON West, San Francisco, July 11-13

Sunnyvale, CA and SEMICON, San Francisco, July 10, 2006 – GuideTech, provider of precision timing solutions, and KVD, provider of low-cost automated test systems, today announced GuideTech’s CTIA-based jitter and timing test systems are being integrated onto the KVD tester platform. 

GuideTech manufactures the Femto 2000 and GT4000 family of CTIA Continuous Timing Interval Analyzer systems designed to extend capabilities of any test system by enabling precision test of AC timing parameters at throughput speeds unmatched in any production environment. 

KVD manufactures a family of mixed signal automated test equipment at minimal capital and operating cost.  Applications for the M2 Mixed Signal Tester series include low end-linear devices, high complexity communications devices, power management, audio codecs, and CMOS and CCD Imager devices. The M2 tester also provides a fully integrated solution for thin film trimming of mixed signal devices including high resolution converter and wireless devices with ESI and GSI Laser trimmers.

"Partnering with GuideTech provides our customers with world class timing measurement capability previously available only on high end test systems. The integration of the GuideTech instruments extends the range of devices the KVD system can address by incorporating high performance time and jitter measurement capability," stated Veets Veitas, CEO of KVD Company, Inc. "These devices include Clock and Timing, High speed Interconnect devices including PECL and LVDS, PLLs and USB Transceivers. CMOS Imager devices are also starting to incorporate high speed serial links, which require timing testing of differential interfaces. The integration of the GuideTech allows the KVD to test both the image processor and high-speed source synchronous LVDS interface to specification in production, rather than just guaranteeing the specification by design."

"The measurement capabilities added by GuideTech instruments to the KVD fall outside of most Mixed Signal test systems area of strength, especially in cost sensitive markets. Many of the specifications currently go untested in production or customers resort to much more expensive test systems," stated Tammy Lee McClure, GuideTech VP Marketing. "Clock jitter, rise/fall time, PLL lock time, Spread Spectrum Modulation, Phase Noise and differential skew and voltage crossing are just some of the additional measurement capabilities that GuideTech CTIA instruments add to the KVD test platform."

Key capabilities driving of the KVD/GT4000 integrated solution include:

• Support of GuideTech instruments using KVD Test Software
• Full Functional, Parametric and Timing pins
• Multi Site capability with parallel measurements
• Scalable platform for characterization and production

About GuideTech
GuideTech is the leading innovator in high-performance CTIA-based timing measurement instruments, providing semiconductor manufacturers with the solution they need to minimize timing-related component failure and to dramatically reduce production test costs through test-time reduction and extended ATE lifecycles. Based on patented Continuous Time Interval Analyzer (CTIA) technology, the company's FEMTO 2000 and GT4000 families of multi-channel timing test systems and accompanying Datacom Analysis software substantially improve test throughput via fast measurement rates, far greater measurement and analysis accuracy, and the ability to handle asynchronous or non-deterministic signals without external arming on up to 32 or 64 channels . These capabilities, which are strongly linked to GuideTech's unique CTIA technology, enable critical, high-speed, functional, timing and jitter test coverage for PLLs and multi-gigabit serial interfaces such as PCI Express and Serial ATA, in milliseconds, in parallel, and in production. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, the company is the first to deliver cost-effective, advanced timing measurement solutions that easily integrate onto any ATE platform. For more information, please contact Tammy L. McClure at (408) 731-8857 or tammy@guidetech.com. Visit the company's Website and view the new corporate video at www.guidetech.com.

About KVD
KVD Company, Inc. is a leading high technology supplier of semiconductor automated test equipment for the low-end mixed signal market. The Company's headquartered in Carlsbad, just outside of San Diego, California, with sales, service and applications offices in Austin Texas, Boston Massachusetts and Colorado Springs Colorado. KVD's strategy is to introduce a family of ATE products covering specific market niches which are easy to use and deliver both productivity improvements and high return on investment. For more information please contact sales@kvdco.com or call 760-931-5085 x311. The company's Website is located at http://www.kvdco.com.