Agilent Technologies Introduces Flash Programming on its Medalist In-Circuit Test Platform

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced flash programming capabilities on its industry-leading Medalist i3070 Series 5 in-circuit test (ICT) utility card platform. This new high-performance, in-system programming (ISP) capability reduces cost of test while enabling fast and flexible code and design changes. Flash programming is enabled by plugging programming cards into the Agilent Medalist i3070 Series 5 utility card -- no test fixture is required. Manufacturers now can combine flash programming and in-circuit test into a single footprint, saving time, space and money.

Additional benefits include:

* lower capital equipment cost because manufacturers can leverage their Agilent Medalist i3070 Series 5 for this additional capability;
* increased speed for flash programming compared with conventional fixture-based ISP on the older in-circuit test systems;
* increased flexibility for code or engineering changes, even during advanced stages of design and production;
* less damage to devices due to reduced handling; and
* reduction in inventory of pre-programmed devices.

“Agilent is committed to helping our board test customers reduce their cost of test and maximize their ROIC through new technologies and capabilities,” said Daniel Mak, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Measurement Systems Division. “The new flash programming capability for Agilent’s Medalist series is another example of this commitment.”

Instead of buying pre-programmed chips, manufacturers now can have higher-speed flash memory and micro-controller unit chips on their own ICT system’s production line. In addition, because the new tester-based Agilent ISP flash solution doesn’t rely on fixtures, implementation and debugging is much easier.

Agilent has partnered with programming vendors, including Essepie S.R.L., SMH Technologies S.R.L., and Xeltek., to provide a wide range of supported flash device protocols and extensive device coverage.