New Semtech PPMU Devices Increase ATE Throughput and Lower the Cost of Test; Company Debuts Three Highly Integrated Devices and Expands Its Development of the Industry's Largest Portfolio of Standards-Based PPMU Products.

CAMARILLO, Calif. -- Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq:SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for communications, portable devices, computers, and industrial equipment, today announced a new family of three per-pin parametric measurement unit (PPMU) devices that feature fast settling times and the industry's smallest form factor for a 40mA device which combine to lower the cost of test in automated test equipment (ATE).

With the addition of these new devices, Semtech has developed the industry's largest portfolio of standard PPMU products, with six off-the-shelf devices. This product range allows Semtech to offer the optimum PPMU for all types of memory and SoC testers, and other precision ATE applications.

The new products include the E4237, E4257 and E4287, all of which feature dual-channels per chip for forcing or measuring voltage and current over a -3.25V to +13V range at currents up to 40mA. The extremely fast settling times of these devices dramatically shortens the application test time, which increases a tester's throughput and facilitates a decrease in the cost of test associated with an ATE system.

Both the E4237 and the E4257 are offered in a small, 9mm x 9mm 64-pad LPCC package, making them 70 percent smaller per channel than competing 40mA products. The E4287 is offered in a 14mm x 14mm MQFP package.

"Because our new PPMUs are single-chip solutions -- with optimized loop compensations -- we can offer customers the small form factor and fast settling times they need to deliver the performance for increasingly complex devices under test," said Tim Wilhelm, marketing director for test & measurement products at Semtech. "The devices' BiCMOS design allows them an ultra-wide 16.25V range for added flexibility."

The E4237 features two current ranges up to +/-4mA, low output capacitance, integrated voltage clamps and short circuit protection, and is designed for use in relayless tester architectures. The two new products targeted for general-purpose, high pin count testers are the E4257, which has the same feature set, but supports four current ranges up to +/-40mA, and the E4287, which offers the same four current ranges, along with an analog multiplexer for FLASH programming, and a driven guard pin for more accurate low current measurements.

Key Features of the E42x7 PPMU Family

--Wide 16.25V I/O range

--Four current ranges on E4287 and E4257: +/- 40uA, +/- 400uA, +/- 4mA, and +/- 40mA

--Two current ranges on E4237: +/- 40uA and 4mA

--Low power dissipation

--FV linearity to +/- 0.025% FSVR

--Central PMU switches and routing for external PMU: -4.75V to +14.5V, +/- 40mA ranges

--Switches for pin driver super voltages and driven guard pin (E4287)

--Test head ground sense

--On-chip voltage clamps protect the device under test (DUT) from stress/damage

--Stable for up to 300pF capacitive loads with no external compensation capacitors

--Digitally selectable compensation enable use with capacitive loads to 10nF

Pricing and Availability

The E42x7 family is available immediately in production quantities. Pricing for up to 1,000-units (bulk) and ordering part numbers are as follows: the E4287AHF is $27.78 in an 80-pin MQFP with heat spreader, the E4257ALP is $25.00 in a 64-pad LPCC, and the E4237ALP is $22.22 in a 64-pad LPCC. All products in the E42X7 family are also available in tape and reel. Semtech offers comprehensive design assistance, including field- and factory-based support. Data sheets, volume pricing, and delivery quotes, as well as evaluation kits and samples, are available by contacting [e-mail].

About Semtech

Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of high-quality analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products. The company is dedicated to providing customers with proprietary solutions and breakthrough technology in power management, protection, advanced communications, human interface, and test & measurement products. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol SMTC. For more information, contact Semtech Corp. at 200 Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA 93012-8790; phone [phone]; email to [e-mail]; or visit its web site at www.semtech.com.

Semtech and the Semtech logo are marks of Semtech Corporation.