FREMONT, Calif., July 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR), a worldwide supplier of semiconductor test and burn-in equipment, today announced that it is introducing the FOX-XP System (see pictures), its next generation multi-wafer test and burn-in system for high volume production and early failure rate (EFR) test, at 2016 SEMICON West taking place July 12-14 in San Francisco, California at the Moscone Convention Center (Booth #5851).

The FOX-XP System The WaferPak Aligner

Photos accompanying this release are available at  http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9709a56-0c60-4a46-8ce6-807d608183b4 and  http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e4aacb82-a217-42a9-9637-411ea529c6a2

This introduction follows an announcement on June 7, 2016 that Aehr Test received its first order for this new FOX-XP production test cell. The order totaled over $4.5 million and included a FOX-XP Multi-Wafer Test and Burn-in System, a FOX-XP WaferPak^TM Aligner, and an initial set of FOX-XP WaferPak Contactors.

The key features of the new FOX-XP test cell that contribute to the cost-effectiveness of the solution include the ability to provide up to 2,048 “Universal Channels” per wafer, which allows the system to test all the devices on the wafer in parallel. The new “Universal Channel” architecture allows any channel to be any function (I/O, Device Power Supply (DPS) or Per-pin Precision Measurement Unit (PPMU)). This enhanced architecture now allows customers to perform per pin parametric testing, more extensive digital pattern test with deeper data stimulus / capture memory (32M per pin), and deeper scan (768M) optimized for BIST/DFT testing.

A single FOX-XP test system may be configured with up to 18 slots of wafer test resources enabling up to 18 wafers to be tested simultaneously. It also includes Aehr’s proprietary WaferPak full wafer contactor, which enables meeting the very high pin count and small pad size and pad pitch requirements of today’s devices, and Aehr’s high performance thermal chucks that enable managing the temperature of the high power density of the devices on the wafer. The footprint of the 18 wafer test system is similar to the footprint of typical semiconductor Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) that can only test one wafer at a time.

With the highest wafer throughput available in the ATE industry, the flexibility of Aehr Test’s new “Universal Channel” architecture, and the ability to perform both functional pattern verification and parametric testing at full-wafer parallel test, the FOX-XP system provides a highly differentiated solution from competitive alternatives.

Aehr Test’s FOX-XP system is the company’s next-generation multi-wafer test solution that is capable of functional test and burn-in/cycling of flash memories, microcontrollers, sensors, optical devices, laser diodes, VCSELs, LEDs and other leading-edge ICs in wafer form before they are assembled into multi-die packages or other applications where known good die are critical. These end applications can span enterprise solid state drives, automotive devices, highly valuable mobile applications, communications and mission critical integrated circuits and sensors.

The FOX-XP system utilizes Aehr Test's FOX WaferPak contactor, which provides a cost effective solution for making full wafer electrical die contact in a multi-wafer environment. Aehr Test’s WaferPak contactors contain up to tens of thousands of probes to contact all die simultaneously on wafers and substrates up to 300mm. Aehr Test estimates the test equipment and consumables for the emerging multi-wafer level test and burn-in market will add $200 million to $300 million to its served available market.

Gayn Erickson, President and CEO of Aehr Test Systems, commented, “We believe the FOX-XP system will provide the highest wafer level test resource density compared to any other ATE system on the market and SEMICON West 2016 is the ideal forum to make this introduction. It’s well established that SEMICON is recognized as the premier event for customers worldwide to view next generation volume production test solutions. Our new FOX-XP system is very well positioned to address the new challenges by lowering the cost of test using DFT methodologies, and we believe the FOX-XP system will significantly expand our served available market in calendar 2016 and beyond.”

About Aehr Test Systems
Headquartered in Fremont, California, Aehr Test Systems is a worldwide provider of test systems for burning-in and testing logic and memory integrated circuits and has an installed base of more than 2,500 systems worldwide. Increased quality and reliability needs of the Automotive and Mobility integrated circuit markets are driving additional test requirements, capacity needs and opportunities for Aehr Test products in package and wafer level test.  Aehr Test has developed and introduced several innovative products, including the ABTS™ and FOX families of test and burn-in systems and the DiePak^® carrier. The ABTS system is used in production and qualification testing of packaged parts for both lower-power and higher-power logic as well as all common types of memory devices. The FOX system is a full wafer contact test and burn-in system used for burn-in and functional test of complex devices, such as leading-edge memories, digital signal processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers and systems-on-a-chip. The DiePak carrier is a reusable, temporary package that enables IC manufacturers to perform cost-effective final test and burn-in of bare die. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.aehr.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to Aehr Test as of the date hereof and actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied due to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Aehr Test's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future including statements regarding future market opportunities and conditions, expected customer orders or commitments and future operating results. The risks and uncertainties that could cause Aehr Test’s results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general market conditions, customer demand and acceptance of Aehr Test’s products and Aehr Test’s ability to execute on its business strategy. See Aehr Test’s recent 10-K, 10-Q and other reports from time to time filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more detailed description of the risks facing Aehr Test’s business. Aehr Test disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.