Liberty Research Introduces Low Cost Sockets for Rambus Memory IC Market.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 1999--

Liberty Research Inc., a pioneer in the test and burn-in sockets market, has introduced a series of sockets developed specifically for test and burn-in of memory integrated circuits which employ Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) technology.

The three new sockets are available with Pogo Pin, elastomer or gold-plated pincer contacts, with selection dependent on the user's requirements. The new gold-plated LibertyLine burn-in sockets feature an "open top" design. Unlike "clamshell" sockets, open top units can be employed in highly automated burn-in loaders and unloaders. The LibertyLine RDRAM sockets are priced lower than any product with competitive specifications now on the market.

"Depending on the quantity required," said Nick Langston, Liberty Research president and CEO, "we can turn around orders for most RDRAM sockets in as little as two weeks." Although major device makers, such as Intel Corp., have adopted RDRAM technology, "test and burn-in support of Rambus parts has been a gating item in their volume production. The entry of our new sockets should help to alleviate that situation," he added.

Users can select Liberty Research RDRAM sockets depending on use and required number of insertions. Choices include a 1.2nH inductance Pogo Pin-type socket, an elastomer unit which employs a Shin Etsu polymer MT Matrix or the low-cost LibertyLine burn-in product which employs the gold side pincers.

Because of their lower inductance, less than 05nH at 0.5mm thickness, the polymer Matrix sockets are suitable for either test or burn-in. The advantages of Pogo Pin-technology are relatively low cost and excellent reliability beyond 100,000 insertions, while the durable gold pincer technology is specifically targeted for burn-in applications.

"With the exponential growth of the Rambus memory market, semiconductor makers have been hard-pressed to find cost-effective sockets with reasonable delivery times. The introduction of our new RDRAM sockets will provide a nearly immediate and economically viable solution for many Rambus-licensed memory IC makers," said Langston.

"The addition of the LibertyLine RDRAM sockets represents the full commitment of Liberty Research to the burgeoning chip-scale package (CSP) market," Langston added. virtually all of the newly minted RDRAM chips will be packaged in CSPs because of this package format's smaller size and improved performance over older package types.

Currently available sockets include the LR-74P (Pogo Pin), LR-74M (Matrix Polymer) or LR-74G (gold-plated side pincers) with 0.75mm pitch and 74 contacts. The LR-62P (Pogo Pin), LR-62M (Matrix Polymer) and LR-62G (Gold-Plated) sockets feature 0.8 mm X and 1.0 mm Y pitch with 62 contacts.

The 74-pin sockets have been designed for the 64 Mbyte RDRAM, while the 62-pin part is specific to the 128/144 Mbtye RDRAM.

Founded in 1998, privately owned Liberty Research Inc. supplies an extensive range of both test and burn-in sockets for the semiconductor market. Visit the company's Web site at www.liberty-research.com.