MeasureOne(TM) Wafer-Level Measurement System Addresses Test Challenges of Flicker Noise
BEAVERTON, OR--(Marketwired - Aug 4, 2016) - Cascade Microtech, a FormFactor company (NASDAQ: FORM), and a leading supplier of
solutions that enable precision measurements of discrete devices and integrated circuits at the wafer level, today announced the
release of a comprehensive low-frequency noise measurement solution for device modeling, characterization and reliability
testing with MeasureOne solution partner Keysight Technologies.
As the semiconductor industry has moved to smaller devices with lower power consumption, modern semiconductor processes have
put forth devices where noise plays a bigger role in overall circuit system performance. Measuring and modeling low-frequency
noise becomes imperative, as this noise can impair signal processing circuitry in both signal generation and receiver circuitry.
Furthermore, the industry has now adopted 1/f and random telegraph noise (RTN) metrics as leading indicators for reliability,
embracing these measurements for process control in semiconductor production.
True noise immunity is essential in a measurement environment that seeks precise 1/f data from 0.03 Hz to 40 MHz. One of the
biggest challenges in measuring component noise is avoiding data corruption by other noise sources in the system. Creating a
noise-free measurement environment remains a costly and time-consuming pursuit for device and circuit researchers to develop on
their own. Additionally, when equipment is sourced from multiple suppliers, it can be challenging to specify test system
integration and performance. Measurement functionality must be validated and proven on-site before the first device can be
tested, often requiring data correlation between different locations. It can take weeks, or even months to arrive at the first
measurements.
Cascade Microtech and Keysight Technologies have teamed up to provide semiconductor device characterization engineers a noise
measurement system that integrates advanced low-frequency device noise measurement and analysis with wafer-level measurements in
a single, powerful platform capable of managing full wafer-level characterization. Cascade Microtech's 200 mm and 300 mm probe
stations, with both probes and shielding hardware, combined with Keysight's Advanced Low Frequency Noise Analyzer and WaferPro
Express software, allow a test engineer to quickly solve challenging measurement problems like device oscillation, power line
noise, repeatability, and shielding from ambient radiation. The collaboration of these two companies has resulted in a
fully-integrated wafer-level 1/f device characterization solution with guaranteed system configuration as well as integration,
installation, training and functional on-site qualification and validation. All backed by over 25 years of Cascade Microtech and
Keysight working together to enable customer success.
"This is yet another example of how the Keysight and Cascade Microtech wafer-level measurement solution program is able to
address a very challenging measurement application with a complete turnkey solution," said Gregg Peters, Vice President and
General Manager, Aerospace and Defense Solutions Group, Keysight Technologies. "We have a long history of collaborating with
Cascade Microtech to understand the specific measurement challenges presented by emerging technologies, and ensuring that we
provide tools that work seamlessly together. We've accomplished that again with the introduction of the 1/f wafer-level
measurement solution, a comprehensive solution for low-frequency noise measurement."
"Cascade Microtech and Keysight have a longstanding commitment to enabling customer success, and have worked closely together
throughout the development process of Keysight's new Advanced Low-Frequency Noise Analyzer to ensure smooth integration with the
Cascade Microtech wafer probe stations," said Mike Slessor, president and CEO of FormFactor, Inc. "Our MeasureOne program offers
a framework for collaboration with industry-leading partners like Keysight to offer test and measurement solutions with validated
performance. Together, we can offer our customers the assurance that their complex wafer probing systems are validated and
performance is optimized. Our customers benefit from faster time to first measurement and therefore faster time to market with
new devices."
For detailed information and updates on new MeasureOne solutions, visit
www.cascademicrotech.com/measureone.
About MeasureOne
MeasureOne provides a single point of contact to deliver the optimal customer solution for configuration,
installation, service and performance of application-specific measurement solutions.The MeasureOne program is designed to address
applications including device modeling, load pull, WLR, emission microscopy, THz measurements and pulsed RF.The MeasureOne
framework ensures that Cascade Microtech and its solutions partners will provide hardware and software support and a portfolio of
service levels. The MeasureOne service levels include validated, optimized and guaranteed solution configurations and
performance, and installation and support by our solutions experts. To find out more about the MeasureOne program, visit
www.cascademicrotech.com/measureone.
About Keysight Technologies
Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) is a global electronic measurement technology and market
leader helping to transform its customers' measurement experience through innovations in wireless, modular, and software
solutions. Keysight's electronic measurement instruments, systems, software and services are used in the design, development,
manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronic equipment. The business had revenues of $2.9 billion in fiscal
year 2015. Information about Keysight is available at www.keysight.com.
About Cascade Microtech
Cascade Microtech, a company of FormFactor Inc.(NASDAQ: FORM), is a worldwide leader in precision
contact, electrical measurement and test of integrated circuits (ICs), optical devices and other small structures. For technology
businesses and scientific institutions that need to evaluate small structures, Cascade Microtech delivers access to electrical
data from wafers, ICs, IC packages, circuit boards and modules, MEMS, 3D TSV, LED devices and more. Cascade Microtech's
leading-edge stations, probes, probe cards, advanced thermal subsystems and integrated systems deliver precision accuracy and
superior performance both in the lab and during production manufacturing of high-speed and high-density semiconductor chips. For
more information visit www.cascademicrotech.com.