Credence Systems provides six SC 212 testers to Xilinx Corp. for FPGA final testing in U.S., Ireland facilities.

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 1995--Credence Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: CMOS) is shipping six SC 212 test systems to Xilinx Inc., a world leader in advanced field programmable gate array technology.

The systems will be used for Xilinx' FGPA final test requirements.

Four of the new SC 212s will be deployed in Xilinx's San Jose, Calif., facility; the other two will be installed at Xilinx's manufacturing plant in Dublin, Ireland.

"The SC 212 is an excellent test system for all of our engineering requirements, and is key in helping us reduce our test times significantly," said Jacob Dayan, director of component manufacturing at Xilinx Corp. "It will now allow us to bring new test programs on-line very quickly."

"Credence and Xilinx have enjoyed an outstanding relationship for more than four years, and their commitment to our SC 212 test system reflects their confidence in all of our products and capabilities," said Elwood Spedden, Credence Systems' president and chief executive officer. "It is very gratifying for all of us at Credence to work so closely with an international industry leader like Xilinx."

Xilinx last year added new 8256 digital systems from Credence for use in its San Jose facility. The semiconductor manufacturer also has been a long-time user of Credence's STS 6120 test system. The new SC 212 purchases bring Xilinx' installed base of Credence test systems to 18 worldwide. Credence supports Xilinx' entire line of advanced IC products.

The SC 212, introduced in 1991, has become increasingly popular among industry leaders for wafer probe as well as final testing needs. Prices for the system begin at $400,000 each.

Founded 10 years ago, Xilinx is the world's leading supplier in the billion dollar CMOS programmable logic industry. The company pioneered the market for field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), semiconductor devices that provide high integration and quick time-to-market for electronic equipment manufacturers in the computer peripherals, telecommunications, industrial control, instrumentation, and military markets. Headquartered in San Jose, the company produces innovative device architecture and associated development system software.

Credence Systems Corp. is a leading manufacturer of automatic test equipment (ATE) that serves a broad spectrum of the worldwide semiconductor industry's testing needs. Credence's wide range of product offerings include test capabilities for digital and mixed signal semiconductors. Credence utilizes its patented CMOS technologies to design products that provide a lower total cost of ownership while meeting the increasingly demanding performance requirements of today's ATE market. The company is headquartered in Fremont, with manufacturing in Beaverton, Ore.

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Note to Editors: Credence Systems, SC 212 and STS 6120 are registered trademarks of Credence Systems Corp. All other product or company names mentioned are trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Credence Systems Corp.

Connie Graybeal, 510/657-7400 (media)

Woody Spedden, 510/657-7400 (financial)

Rich Okumoto, 510/657-7400 (financial)

IPRA 

Dick Davies, 415/777-4161 (media)