Cost-effective, IC test system offers parallel test capabilities for high-pincount graphic and chipset technologies SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advantest Corporation (TSE:6857TSE:NYSE:TSE:ATE), the world's leading supplier of semiconductor test equipment, announces that NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), the world leader in visual computing technologies, has placed a multi-system purchase order for Advantest's T2000 open-architecture SoC Test System. The systems will be used on NVIDIA's products to support parallel testing of their high-pincount, leading-edge graphics devices. NVIDIA made its initial investment in the T2000 in 2006 for characterization and debug of packaged silicon products. Shipments against this latest order will begin immediately and will continue throughout the calendar year. Advantest reports that NVIDIA selected the T2000 test solution for its cost effectiveness and ability to meet the ongoing complex test requirements of its leading-edge graphics processors. The T2000's parallel test capabilities and unique modular design offer an unprecedented degree of flexibility and extendibility for future-generations of devices, including the ability to incorporate new modules specifically designed to support application-specific requirements. "We are extremely pleased to be expanding our relationship with NVIDIA and grateful for the high level of confidence they have placed in our ability to respond to their needs. Advantest is committed to serving NVIDIA through our global support team, and to helping them grow their share of the competitive graphics and computing applications market," commented R. Keith Lee, president and CEO of Advantest America, Inc. "In this era of elaborate visual computing, NVIDIA's innovative products continue to drive and define the worldwide market. We are gratified that the cost-efficient and very reliable T2000 has been selected to test these high-performance devices," Lee continued. Keith Katcher, NVIDIA's Vice President of Operations for Silicon Engineering, remarked, "Advantest continues to demonstrate that their leading-edge technology and test systems have the capabilities necessary to help NVIDIA achieve the highest levels of performance and cost efficiencies. We have confidence that Advantest can ably serve our needs as a test partner." Test flexibility from engineering characterization to production Advantest's T2000 test system is designed specifically to test complex processors, consumer and other SoC devices, and is used by chipmakers worldwide for testing GPUs, CPUs and other sophisticated products. The T2000 is easily configurable for testing microcontrollers, microprocessors, RF and mixed-signal devices, thanks to an expanding menu of test modules enabling unprecedented customization of test capabilities with unmatched support for parallel testing. These features make the T2000 an ideal test system for IDMs, fabless companies, sub-cons and foundries, who require a flexible platform with interchangeable modules that are easily adapted to changing device requirements About Advantest Advantest Corporation is the world's leading supplier of automatic test equipment to the semiconductor industry. Advantest's SoC, logic, memory, mixed-signal and RF testers and device handlers are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor fabrication lines in the world. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its North American subsidiary in 1982 and its European subsidiary in 1984. More information is available at http://www.advantest.com/. DATASOURCE: Advantest Corporation CONTACT: Amy Gold of Advantest America, Inc., +1-212-850-6670, Web site: http://www.advantest.com/

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