Credence capitalizes on multi-site testing advantage: 200th SC 212 test system delivered to Xilinx.

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 1997--Credence Systems Corp. (NASDAQ:CMOS), a leading manufacturer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry, today announced the delivery of its 200th SC 212 test system to Xilinx, the global leader in programmable logic solutions.

Since its introduction, Credence's SC 212 achieved rapid market penetration as the low-cost testing solution. Central to the SC 212's unique functionality, is its ability to perform simultaneous tests -- Xilinx uses the SC 212 to test three sites in parallel -- which significantly increases throughput. Coupled with multi-site testing and the ability to thoroughly validate the die before packaging, Credence helps manufacturers minimize the cost of test and augment their production schedules.

The SC 212 tests microcomponents, ASICs and programmable logic devices at both the probe and package stages. Through its continuous applications support service, Credence has worked closely with customers in order to perform testing of the die for the emerging "known good die" market.

"As a long-term Credence customer, we have found that the SC test systems enabled us to improve our yields and decrease manufacturing costs," said Jacob Dayan, Xilinx's Director of Component Manufacturing Operations. "Advancing into a truly global economy, our success depends on delivering timely, fully supported high quality devices at a competitive price to our customers worldwide. The SC 212 has helped us achieve this objective."

Credence's sophisticated SC 212 is tailored for testing in a high volume production environment, thereby enabling manufacturers to achieve a faster time and volume to market with a greater array of test capabilities. In November of 1995, Credence and Xilinx established a strategic partnership to meet the challenges of high growth programmable logic devices.

"Given our long and successful working relationship, it is significant that Xilinx receive our 200th SC 212," said David Ranhoff, Credence's Executive Vice President. "Customer feedback is a fundamental component of the product enhancement process and working with Xilinx has proven very beneficial to Credence. The world of test is continually changing and for us to maintain our technological leadership we rely on these kinds of partnerships. Like Xilinx, Credence strives to provide complete business solutions."

Founded in 1984, Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ:XLNX) is the world's largest supplier of programmable logic solutions producing industry-leading device architectures and world class design software.

Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the company pioneered the market for FPGA semiconductor devices that provide high integration and quick time-to-market for electronic equipment manufacturers in the computer, peripheral, telecommunications, networking, industrial control, instrumentation, high-reliability/military, and consumer markets. For more information on Xilinx, access the worldwide web site at http://www.xilinx.com .

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 offers a wide range of products with test capabilities for digital, mixed-signal, and memory semiconductors. The company utilizes its proprietary CMOS technologies to redefine test with products that are designed to solve its customers' business problems through technology while meeting the increasingly demanding performance requirements of today's ATE market.

The company is headquartered in Fremont, with manufacturing in Beaverton, Ore. Credence is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CMOS and can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.credence.com . -0-

Note to Editors: Credence, Credence Systems and SC 212 are trademarks of Credence Systems Corporation. Other trademarks that may be mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Credence Systems Corp.

Connie Graybeal or Bill Bottoms, 510/657-7400

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The Loomis Group Inc.

Bruce Bedortha, 415/882-9494

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