HP and IMS Form Virtual-Test Alliance

-- Semiconductor International, 8/1/1999

Hewlett-Packard Company (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Integrated Measurement Systems' (Beaverton, Ore.) Virtual Test Division announced an alliance to offer virtual-test software tools for verifying compatibility of test programs with high-performance semiconductor designs without using a prototype.

Virtual-test software accelerates the test-development process by allowing developers to begin testing a chip while it is still in the design stage. Using simulation, engineers can perform test-debug and verification on a workstation prior to IC fabrication. The results are reduced test costs and shorter overall IC product-development cycles.

Hewlett-Packard and IMS said they have been collaborating for two years to develop methods to enhance the IC testing process.