Agilent Technologies' Cover-Extend Technology for In-Circuit Test Wins Major Awards at IPC APEX 2009

Cover-Extend Technology is a hybrid technology between the popular VTEP and the industry-standardized boundary scan methodology, resulting in a powerful solution to help manufacturers increase test coverage for printed circuit board assemblies with limited or no access for traditional methods of in-circuit test.

With Cover-Extend, the onboard boundary scan devices drive a stimulus into the device-under-test (DUT) for the VTEP sensor plates, which pick up the capacitive signals, thereby detecting faults.

Cover Extend Technology enables real cost reduction. Case studies have shown that by deploying this technology, customers can now shrink their test nodes by 25 percent or more, reducing their need for expensive large node count test systems, while cutting down fixturing costs, said NK Chari, marketing director of Agilent's Measurement Systems Division.

This technology, along with the combination of Boundary Scan 1149.1,1149.6, silicon nails, drive thru, bead probes and access consultant technologies makes the Agilent Medalist i3070 the most complete limited access In-Circuit Test system.

Visitors to IPC APEX Expo 2009 in San Jose, Calif., March 29-April 2, can still catch details about Cover-Extend Technology at the Agilent booth, No. 1245, where demos and experts are available to answer any questions about the technology.