Presto’s Hubs in Silicon Valley and Europe to support characterization and production testing of GaAs MMIC and RF Devices

TAIPEI, Taiwan and SAN JOSE, Calif.,  Sept. 1, 2010 ---

WIN Semiconductors Corp., the world’s largest pure-play Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) foundry, and Presto Engineering, a leading semiconductor product engineering company, today announced a strategic collaboration to deliver characterization and testing services for companies developing products utilizing GaAs technology from WIN. The agreement covers wafer-level and packaged part development activities, including design characterization and production testing. Customers of WIN Semiconductors can now gain access to these highly specialized GaAs testing services from the Presto Engineering Hubs in Silicon Valley and in Grenoble, France.

”As WIN continues to see strong growth in its major market sectors it is committed to  providing cost-effective solutions that meet customers’ needs.  The collaboration between WIN and Presto Engineering is that type of innovative approach that provides our customers with a one-stop solution for fab, characterization and testing services” stated Brian Lee, WIN’s VP of Sales and Marketing. 

“We are seeing a significant increase in our RF services business, driven by the overwhelming demand on the semiconductor industry to deliver innovative devices to meet the needs for increased communication bandwidth and cost-effectiveness. Our staff is looking forward to working closely with the WIN team, as time-to-production will be critical for our mutual customer’s success,” stated Dr. Michel Villemain, Presto Engineering founder and CEO.

The Presto Hubs offer customers the ability to use high frequency test and measurement equipment (e.g. network analyzer, pattern generator, BERT), as well as leading edge RF-ATE; Roos Instruments Cassini platform, supporting DC to 100GHz source and measure, and the  Verigy 93K Port Scale RF test system. Presto technical staff can also assist with test program development, probe card design utilizing GGB and Cascade Microtech high frequency probe systems, load board development and automatic handler support.

Additional Hub services offered by Presto include stress testing required for engineering and product qualification, covering reliability testing for temperature, environmental and electrical stresses, as well as both physical and electrical fault isolation and failure analysis.

Meet WIN and Presto Engineering at Upcoming Industry Events

Presto Engineering and WIN Semiconductors will be exhibiting at upcoming industry conferences, inviting attendees to obtain further technical information about GaAs foundry and testing services:

 Semicon Taiwan                      September 8-10, 2010, Taipei, Taiwan

                                                     WIN booth #2733, Presto booth #1419

 

GSA Suppliers Expo               September 16, 2010, Santa Clara, CA

                                                     Presto booth #219

         

European Microwave Week   September 28-30, 2010, Paris, France

                                                       WIN booth #97,  Presto booth #9

About Presto Engineering

Presto Engineering, an ISO 9001 company, delivers “ Design Success Analysis”, integrated test and product engineering solutions to IDM and fabless companies. Operating from hubs in Silicon Valley and Europe, our business is focused on helping to improve the speed and predictability of new product releases.  Presto combines unique technical expertise, extensive industry experience and leading edge ATE for SoC and RF, along with reliability, FIB, FA/FI services to offer a complete product engineering solution designed to complement our customer’s internal resources. More information can be found at www.presto-eng.com

About WIN Semiconductors Corp:

WIN Semiconductors Corp., founded in 1999, was the first pure-play 6-inch GaAs foundry in the world, has established an advanced GaAs wafer fab in recognition of the growing demand for low cost manufacturing of high speed and high quality GaAs MMIC’s (monolithic microwave ICs) and RFIC’s (radio frequency ICs). WIN provides dedicated foundry services to design houses as well as IDM partners. WIN supplies HBT and pHEMT MMIC fabrication services to worldwide IC manufacturers, using state-of-the-art GaAs process technology. For more details, go to www.winfoundry.com

SAN JOSE, Calif., and GRENOBLE, France — Presto Engineering Inc., a pioneer of the labless business model for bringing semiconductor products into volume production, and CEA-Leti today announced that they have begun a three-year collaboration to develop test and analysis capability for 3D semiconductor devices.

The project, a common lab that will include Presto's new R&D center at CEA-Leti, will focus on extending the company's test, reliability and failure analysis solutions to through-silicon vias (TSVs), the interconnects between levels on 3D devices.

"IDMs and fabless companies are increasingly outsourcing critical test and analysis functions. The adoption of 3D technologies will fuel this trend and product engineering will require new skills, reliable processes and specialized equipment," said Michel Villemain, CEO of Presto Engineering. "CEA-Leti has industry-leading expertise in 3D integration, advanced interconnects and TSVs, and by working side by side with CEA-Leti's experts, Presto will build on our proven product engineering capabilities for the arrival of TSVs."

Presto's R&D program with CEA-Leti is focused on:

• Characterization of TSVs reliability, defect susceptibility and electrical performance aspects
• Identifying existing test protocols that are appropriate for 3D structures while developing new ones to meet new challenges
• Bringing up new diagnostic methods or tools to identify root cause of failures

The common lab will make the ATE and debug process as well as the product engineering platform available for third parties.

"This partnership with Presto is a natural complement to CEA-Leti's many 3D integration projects and joint labs," said Laurent Malier, CEO of CEA-Leti. "We will identify the key challenges of 3D product engineering, so semiconductor manufacturers will have reliable, state-of-the-art test and analysis options when they are ready to go to market with 3D devices that feature TSVs."

In addition to its broad goals, the joint lab will enable Presto to develop critical test and analysis techniques, such as probing specific areas of TSVs without affecting the device itself.

"Testing 3D-IC prototypes will require detecting, recognizing and understanding the failure modes, and mechanisms through their electrical signature," said Cédric Mayor, R&D director for Presto Engineering Europe, a subsidiary of Presto Engineering Inc. "Faulty TSVs may have many root causes that have to be investigated and catalogued in such a way that our ultimate test program and diagnostic tool detect them efficiently."

Presto, which recently opened a hub in Caen, France, offers enhanced RF and 3D-integration expertise and advanced test, reliability, fault-isolation and failure-analysis services. Its Design Success Analysis™ offering includes first-silicon validation, as well as characterization of new processes, new designs, and process transfers.

About Presto Engineering

Presto Engineering introduced the labless business model to the semiconductor industry in 2007 when it acquired Cypress Semiconductor's product-engineering lab. The company helps IDMs and fabless customers improve new device predictability and speed to market by complementing their internal resources with comprehensive chip test and analysis. Supported by unique technical skills and extensive industry experience, Presto's product-engineering services include RF and 3D integration and state-of-the-art ATE, reliability testing, failure analysis and fault isolation. The company recently expanded into Europe by acquiring lab infrastructure of NXP Semiconductor in Caen, France, and establishing a subsidiary Presto Engineering Europe. Presto Engineering, an ISO 9001 company, is based in San Jose, Calif.

About CEA-Leti

CEA is a French research and technology public organization, with activities in three main areas: energy, technologies for information and healthcare, and defence and security. Within CEA, the Laboratory for Electronics & Information Technology (CEA-Leti) works with companies in order to increase their competitiveness through technological innovation and transfers. CEA-Leti is focused on micro and nanotechnologies and their applications, from wireless devices and systems, to biology and healthcare or photonics. Nanoelectronics and microsystems (MEMS) are at the core of its activities. As a major player in MINATEC excellence centre, CEA-Leti operates 8,000-m² state-of-the-art clean rooms, on 24/7 mode, on 200mm and 300mm wafer standards. With 1,200 employees, CEA-Leti trains more than 150 Ph.D. students and hosts 200 assignees from partner companies. Strongly committed to the creation of value for the industry, CEA-Leti puts a strong emphasis on intellectual property and owns more than 1,400 patent families. In 2008, contractual income covered more than 75 percent of its budget worth 205 M€. For more information, visit www.leti.fr.

Company Brings Labless Business Model to Europe Via Acquisition of Equipment and Infrastructure from NXP.

SAN JOSE, Calif. ― Presto Engineering Inc., a pioneer of the labless business model for bringing semiconductor products into volume production, announced today the opening of its new services hub in Caen, France. The new hub, which includes equipment and infrastructure acquired from NXP Semiconductors' facility in Caen, offers comprehensive failure analysis and reliability testing for semiconductor companies in Europe and Israel.

The hub will be operated by Presto Engineering Europe. The recently formed subsidiary has named Patrick Poirier director of operations at the new facility and Neji Sanaa director of sales.

Presto's state-of-the-art capabilities include enhanced RF and 3D-integration expertise and advanced test, reliability, fault-isolation and failure-analysis services. By outsourcing these steps, chip companies are able to cut costs and free resources for their core business.

Bringing an advanced chip design into silicon requires a variety of advanced test and analytical techniques. Presto's Design Success Analysis™ offering eases this process by providing first-silicon validation, as well as characterization of new processes, new designs, and process transfers. Capabilities include comprehensive custom ATE hardware interfaces (such as load modules, probe cards, DUT cards and thermal interfaces) and product-engineering services.

More broadly, Presto can proactively and reactively address a variety of design-to-manufacturing challenges. Presto's product debug services include ATE-coupled in-silicon analytical capabilities, with extensive backside silicon analysis; additional release-acceleration offerings include reliability services. The company's hubs can also maximize the utility of expensive test chips and engineering, validating simulation results and characterizing timing, power, leakage, and other parameters.

"This new facility is the springboard for Presto's expansion into Europe and our introduction of the labless model to that key market, which includes some of the world's top fabless design houses, fab lines, and other members of the semiconductor community," said Michel Villemain, CEO of Presto Engineering.

"For the first time, European chip companies have access to a state-of-the-art lab with a staff of highly skilled engineers and technology specialists offering advanced outsourced test and analysis capabilities," said operations director Poirier. "We are open for business and we invite Europe's diverse chip companies to meet with us and see how we can help assure the success of their next product."

Poirier has more than 20 years of experience in the electronics and microelectronics industries, including management positions with Philips/NXP. From 2005 to 2010, he oversaw the NXP Semiconductors reliability and failure analysis lab. At NXP, he and Jean-Noël Palazin led the lab externalization project that resulted in the acquisition by Presto. Palazin, with 33 years experience at various management positions with Philips and NXP, will continue to serve Presto Engineering Europe as a consultant in charge of External relations and Partnerships.

Sanaa, director of sales for Presto Engineering Europe, has more than 21 years of management experience in ATE. In more than a dozen years at Schlumberger, he worked with all the company's ATE products. In 2000, Sanaa was named head of Schlumberger's services and DCG application business unit. In 2005, he headed the combined service business units of NPTest and Credence, which had annual revenue of $20 million from business in Europe, North America and Asia.

Meet with Presto Engineering Europe at DATE2010 Conference in Germany

Presto Engineering Europe will exhibit at the Design, Automation & Test in Europe (DATE) conference in Dresden, Germany, March 8-12. Attendees are invited to visit Stand No. 8 to meet with Presto personnel for an in-depth technical discussion of the services available at its European hub.

About Presto Engineering

Presto Engineering introduced the labless business model to the semiconductor industry in 2007 when it acquired Cypress Semiconductor's product-engineering lab and created a hub of analytical capabilities in Silicon Valley. The company helps IDMs and fabless customers improve new device predictability and time to market by complementing their internal resources with comprehensive chip testing and analysis services. Supported by unique technical experience and extensive industry exposure, Presto's product-engineering services include RF and 3D integration and state-of-the-art ATE, reliability testing, failure analysis and fault-isolation. The company recently expanded into Europe by acquiring lab infrastructure of NXP Semiconductor in Caen, France, and establishing a European subsidiary. Presto Engineering, an ISO 9001 company, is based in San Jose, Calif.

Investment Enables Presto to Open Product Analysis Hub in France; RF and 3D-integration Technologies Will Be Expanded.

SAN JOSE, Calif. ― Presto Engineering Inc., the pioneer of the labless business model for semiconductor companies, announced today that it has received $2 million in funding to support its expansion and future growth in Europe.

The investment from Masseran Gestion, a French equity investor in technology companies and innovative startups, will support Presto's expansion in Europe and its ongoing investment in new RF and 3D-integration technologies. These actions will enable the company to further strengthen its product engineering services to the semiconductor industry, as it provides an alternative to companies' internal analysis labs.

Like the fabless business model that has changed the nature of chipmaking, Presto's labless model enables chip companies to outsource critical functions that require high rates of capital investment, substantial facility space and specialized personnel. This reduces costs and frees up corporate resources for their core business of designing advanced devices and bringing them to market. Presto maintains hubs with state-of-the-art lab capabilities and cadres of experienced engineers and scientists; their work on a wide range of leading-edge chip projects enables Presto to offer both world-class measurement capabilities and insightful advice during the critical late stages of product development, thus accelerating time to market.

In addition to enhanced RF and 3D-integration expertise, Presto provides leading-edge test, reliability, fault-isolation and failure-analysis services. Presto's first European hub will be in Caen, France, where it will acquire lab infrastructure from NXP Semiconductor.

"Masseran Gestion's investment validates Presto's labless business strategy with the financial endorsement of a venture fund," said Michel Villemain, CEO of Presto. "It also gives our company the means to expand our strategy and services to Europe, establish economies of scale in our hubs and accelerate our growth in a vital semiconductor market."

"This is a logical, strategic move by Presto for many reasons, including the strong lab culture in Europe, where semiconductor companies are accustomed to partnering with labs," said David Manjarres, deputy general manager of Masseran Gestion and a new member of Presto's board of directors. "Moreover, by working with multiple customers on a variety of challenges and situations, Presto's team will build a knowledge base that is virtually unmatched in the semiconductor industry."

Through its French-based subsidiary, Presto Engineering EUROPE, the company will aggressively pursue commercialization opportunities on the Continent and build a corporate infrastructure that will make it the ideal externalization partner for Europe's semiconductor companies.

About Masseran Gestion

Masseran Gestion, subsidiary of GCE Capital (Groupe Caisse d'Epargne), manages venture capital funds dedicated to technology companies, from start-ups to mature, innovative SMEs or industrial spin-offs. Additional information is available on the company's website at www.masseran.com.

About Presto Engineering

Presto Engineering introduced the labless business model to the semiconductor industry in 2007 when it acquired Cypress Semiconductor's product-engineering lab and created a hub of analytical capabilities in Silicon Valley. The company helps IDMs and fabless customers improve new device predictability and time to market by complementing their internal resources with comprehensive chip testing and analysis services. Supported by unique technical experience and extensive industry exposure, Presto's product-engineering services include RF and 3D integration and state-of-the-art ATE, reliability testing, failure analysis and fault-isolation. The company recently expanded into Europe by acquiring lab infrastructure of NXP Semiconductor in Caen, France, and establishing a European subsidiary. Presto Engineering, an ISO 9001 company, is based in San Jose, Calif.

CAEN, FRANCE  ― Following its re-industrialization efforts that had started in 2008, NXP announced today a new entity on its site of Caen Côte de Nacre which will provide technical services aimed at improving the quality of semiconductors.

Following the analysis of several options and propositions, NXP selected the solution that combines a project from two company executives and the purchase of assets by Presto Engineering, a California-based company specialized in semiconductors services.

This new entity, which could start as early as February 2010, strengthens and speeds the deployment of Presto in France through its Presto Engineering Europe subsidiary.

"Thanks to expertise coming from NXP and the partnership agreements in place with the different research labs, this deal is a great opportunity to continue further our "Labless" model while showcasing a unique know-how," said Michel Villemain, CEO of Presto Engineering.

Jean-Yves Muller, CEO of NXP France commented: "The know-how of our specialists will enable Presto Engineering to become a worldwide center of excellence in Caen for physical analysis of RF products. This is a great solution to maintain highly-qualified jobs in Caen."

The new entity received support from the Basse Normandie region and from the county of Caen-la-Mer and plans to hire 20 people at the start. Activities will include a lab for test and analysis, an engineering team, marketing, sales and support activities.

About NXP Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions that leverage its leading RF, Analog, Power, Digital Processing and manufacturing expertise. These innovations are used in a wide range of automotive, industrial, consumer, lighting, medical, computing and identification applications. Headquartered in Europe, the company has about 29,000 employees working in more than 30 countries and posted sales of USD 5.4 billion in 2008. News from NXP is located at www.nxp.com.

About Presto Engineering

Presto Engineering, an ISO 9001 company, provides comprehensive semiconductor test and analysis solutions to IDM and Fabless companies, helping to improve the speed and predictability of new product releases. Presto combines unique technical expertise, extensive industry experience and state-of-the-art ATE, reliability, failure analysis and fault isolation capabilities to offer a complete product engineering solution designed to complement the internal resources of its customers. Presto Engineering is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Extensive Technical Services for Microwave and Millimeter Wave Product Engineering and RF Testing Available from Lab in Silicon Valley

SAN JOSE, CALIF  ― Presto Engineering, Inc., a provider of product engineering services to the semiconductor industry, and Roos Instruments, Inc., a leading manufacturer of high performance microwave and mmWave automated test equipment for RF semiconductor and module manufacturers, announce the establishment of a technical services collaboration. The joint effort allows Presto Engineering to offer the Roos Instruments' Cassini RF automated test solution from its Silicon Valley hub. The combined technical services of Presto Engineering and Roos Instruments will address the needs of RF product development teams by delivering services in the area of test program development, ATE load board and probe card design and lab-based testing and characterization for their new devices and modules.

"Applications of mmWave ICs for automotive radar, wireless HD TV, and high bandwidth point to point LAN/PAN are emerging segments which require the most advanced RFIC test capabilities. Roos Instruments has continued to lead in providing RF test technology for both characterization and high volume manufacturing. We look forward to providing this new service to the market," stated Dr. Michel Villemain, Presto Engineering founder and CEO.

"Most of the industry is at a point where they need to evaluate early product versions and make sample production runs. This is a great fit for the services Presto offers, enabling the market to have direct hands-on access to the industry's most advanced RF ATE capabilities during the critical stages of new product development," stated Mark Roos, CEO, Roos Instruments.

About Cassini

Roos Instruments' Cassini modular ATE is a complete high speed automated and integrated test solution covering applications ranging from GSM and CDMA, wireless HD, automotive radar and sensors, general mmWave, wireless infrastructure/LAN, WiMax and Bluetooth to Cable / Satellite / Digital TV.

Meet with Roos and Presto at Upcoming Industry Events

Presto Engineering and Roos Instruments will be jointly exhibiting at upcoming industry conferences and trade shows, inviting attendees to obtain further technical information about their RF product engineering services:

October 1, 2009:	GSA Expo, Presto Engineering Booth #210
	Santa Clara Convention Center, CA
November 4-6, 2009:	ITC 2009, Roos Instruments Booth #210
	Austin Convention Center, TX
November 15-19, 2009:	ISTFA, Presto Engineering Booth #216
	San Jose Convention Center, CA

 

About Roos Instruments

Founded in 1989, Roos Instruments, www.roos.com, based in Santa Clara, CA, is the premier supplier of highly automated test solutions for wireless devices. RI system's performance and technical expertise are the tools our customers rely on to meet the challenges of next generation products.

About Presto Engineering

Presto Engineering, an ISO 9001 company, provides comprehensive semiconductor test and analysis solutions to IDM and fabless companies, helping to improve the speed and predictability of new product releases. Presto combines unique technical expertise, extensive industry experience and state-of-the-art ATE, reliability, soft error rate testing, failure analysis and fault isolation capabilities to offer a complete product engineering solution designed to complement the internal resources of its customers. Presto Engineering is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Labless Semiconductor Services Compliant with International Quality Management System Standard

SAN JOSE, CALIF ― Presto Engineering, Inc., a provider of product engineering services to the semiconductor industry, announced that it has recently achieved ISO 9001 certification. The scope of the certification covers Presto's semiconductor product engineering services.

The ISO 9001 standard specifies processes and procedures an organization must follow to maintain consistently high levels of quality. The certification is recognized in well over 100 countries and has a proven track record of leading companies to enhanced operations and improved performance and quality.

"Presto was founded with the mission of delivering unique product engineering services and superior technical support to IDM and fabless IC vendors worldwide. Utilizing our ‘labless engineering' business model, we've been able to assist semiconductor vendors achieve significant cost savings in their product development cycles," stated Dr. Michel Villemain, Presto's founder and CEO. "Attaining ISO 9001 certification is an important corporate milestone, reflecting our commitment to continuous improvement and our dedication to delivering outstanding customer experiences."

Seasoned Executives from the Service Industry join the Board of Directors to help expand Presto’s unique labless model for semiconductor companies

SAN JOSE, CALIF ― Presto Engineering, Inc., a provider of product engineering services to the semiconductor industry, announced today that Hervé Goguely and Xavier Wartelle have both joined Peter Courture and Michel Villemain to the company’s Board of Directors. Hervé Goguely has been elected non-executive Chairman, bringing to the Presto Engineering board a wealth of experience spanning over 30 years in engineering, technology and high growth businesses.

“With the recent turmoil in the industry, our vision of a labless model has been accelerated, as more and more companies appreciate the importance of protecting cash, and find new ways of preserving their technical edge without investing into expensive equipment” said Michel Villemain, Presto’s founder and CEO. “I am very pleased that Presto and I will now benefit from Hervé’s and Xavier’s business vision, executive expertise and considerable network.”

“The semiconductor industry is reaching a point where structural transitions will be required in order to remain competitive and profitable” added Hervé Goguely. “I have seen and participated in such drive to vertical disintegration in other industries, and I like Presto’s first-mover position in that regards. I am delighted to join Michel and Presto’s Board and I look forward to helping them accelerate the development of the company.”

Hervé Goguely most recently served as a Venture Partner with Vision Capital in Silicon Valley while also serving as Chairman and President of Atempo, Inc. a data protection software provider. Prior to this, he was Chairman and CEO of Netcentrex, a leading provider of network platforms for Voice over IP networks. In 1995, Hervé created, led and grew the Worldwide Services Sales organization at Cisco Systems into a $1.5 billion business within 4 years. Before his time at Cisco, he was the head of technical operations for Wellfleet Communications in Europe, Middle-East and Africa, which at the time in 1993 was the fastest growing US Company. Hervé started his career with Hewlett Packard in Grenoble, France and worked in various engineering and technical-marketing positions before he was transferred to HP Network Marketing Center in Cupertino, CA. After his tenure at HP, he joined Bridge Communications, at the time, a leading company in the new field of Internetworking as the head of development for X.25, the SNA router and several other internetworking gateway products. Hervé holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from Grenoble University.

Xavier Wartelle is a serial entrepreneur who has started three successful high tech companies. Xavier’s career spans more than 23 years of executive leadership in startups and mature companies in networking, telecommunication, VoIP, enterprise software and internet businesses. Xavier helps start-ups to define their global strategy, jump-start their business, and implement operations in the US. Xavier was an advisor and US representative of Ipanto that has been recently acquired by Infoblox. Previously, Xavier was co-founder, CEO and EVP Sales of Brixlogic a provider of SOA solutions for the financial industry. Brixlogic was acquired by Diebold (NYSE: DBD). Xavier was COO, and SVP Business Development of NetCentrex a leading supplier of VoIP service platform for enterprises and carriers. NetCentrex was acquired by Comverse (NASDAQ: CMVT). Earlier in his career, Xavier had served as CEO of Thomson-CSF Enterprise Networks and in various international positions within Thomson-CSF. Xavier holds an engineering degree from Ecole Nationale des Arts et Métiers, Paris.