Monday January 31, 3:07 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Teamwork Yields High-Throughput RF Production Testing for Amkor's MicroLeadFrame Packages
Holds down packaging costs for wireless ICs for Bluetooth and other applications
CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2000-- Amkor Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMKR - news) today announced that it has pushed production test capabilities for its MicroLeadFrame(TM) package to 5 GHz (with capabilities well beyond that), thanks to an extraordinary joint effort that involved engineers from Amkor and three suppliers of device handlers, sockets and test contactors. The result is low testing costs for what is proving to be one of the most popular wireless IC packages ever introduced.
Following its release to production in the second quarter of 1999, the MicroLeadFrame package became a wireless IC industry package of choice virtually overnight, ramping to a run rate that is presently in excess of four million units per month. Industry acceptance was based on the combination of the package's exceptional RF and thermal properties, its compact footprint and relatively low cost.
The production testing challenge was to keep test costs in line while rapidly performing high-frequency measurements on tiny surface-mount packages at high throughput. To meet those testing needs, Amkor worked with test contactor maker PrimeYield Systems, Inc., of St. Paul, MN, socket specialists Plastronics, Inc., of Irving, TX, and device-handler maker Micro Component Technology, Inc., of St. Paul, MN.
PrimeYield contributed test contactors that probe package I/O leads with a low pin inductance that facilitate high-frequency measurements by minimizing the length of tester wiring. Plastronics developed sockets for the MicroLeadFrame package for burn-in and qualification testing. Micro Component Technology supplied its latest model MCT5115 chip-scale handler that incorporates bulk bowl-feed input, plunge-to-board test site, laser mark, tape-and-reel output, and an in-pocket visual-inspection system, consolidating a number of post-test steps while achieving ``Sprint-speed' throughputs of 8,000 units per hour (dual site).
About Amkor Technology
Amkor is the world's largest provider of contract semiconductor packaging and test services. The company offers a complete set of services including deep submicron wafer fabrication, wafer probe testing, IC packaging assembly and design, final testing, burn-in, characterization and reliability testing. More information on Amkor is available from the company's SEC filings and on Amkor's web site, amkor.com.
About PrimeYield Systems
PrimeYield Systems designs and manufactures test contactors for high-volume production test with an emphasis on high electrical performance and high mechanical reliability. In all PrimeYield designs, signal paths are short to maintain signal integrity and the most durable materials are used to maintain a long service life. Contact PrimeYield at PrimeYield Systems, Inc., 4837 White Bear Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55110, (651) 407-7777, or email info@primeyield.com
About Plastronics
Plastronics was founded over 25 years ago for the exclusive purpose of designing, manufacturing and marketing high-quality burn-in sockets. Through advanced product design, state-of-the-art molding and automated production, Plastronics continues to break the barrier for innovative, cost-effective solutions. Plastronics' latest products include the open-top BGA for 1.5mm to .8mm pitch and surface mount LGA sockets. Contact Plastronics at 2601 Texas Drive, Irving, TX 75062 (800) 852-5822, or at www.locknest.com
About Micro Component Technology
MCT is a leading manufacturer of automated test handling equipment satisfying the complete range of handling requirements of the global semiconductor industry. MCT has the largest installed IC test handler base of any manufacturer, with over 9,800 units worldwide. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, the Company has sales and support offices worldwide. MCT is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol MCTI. Contact Micro Component Technology at 2340 West County Road C, St. Paul, MN 55113 (651) 697-4000, or at www.mct.com, or email lee.goodyear@mct.com |
