Fluence Technology Announces TDS WaveBridge Support for Credence Quartet Series of Mixed-Signal Test Systems

SAN JOSE, Calif.----July 11, 2000-- Fluence Technology Inc.(TM), a leading provider of integrated mixed-signal design and test automation solutions, today announced the availability of a new TDS WaveBridge module for the Credence Quartet series of mixed-signal test systems.

The TDS WaveBridge test program generation tool enables engineers to create digital test patterns and timing data from simulation and automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) files, cutting test program development time from days to hours. Credence will also ship complimentary copies of Fluence's TestBenchPLUS with each order of a Credence Quartet test system.

Fluence's new TDS Quartet WaveBridge allows design simulation data to be transformed into Quartet test program files quickly, accurately and easily. This allows test engineers to save valuable test time by focusing on real silicon verification instead of debugging test vectors. The files can then be loaded directly onto the Quartet tester.

``Credence holds the dominant position in the semiconductor manufacturing services industry. With TDS WaveBridge support for Quartet, engineers will be able to expedite test program development for leading mixed-signal test systems,'' said Mike Kondrat, vice president of marketing for Fluence Technology.

``Fluence's TDS WaveBridge product is an important component in helping our customers ensure vector integrity, resulting in faster time-to-market,'' said Terry Larson, director of product marketing at Credence's Consumer Mixed Signal division. ``TDS is the most widely used program in the design-to-test conversion market. We expect that the combination of Fluence software and Credence Quartet hardware will be very hard to beat.''

TDS Quartet WaveBridge supports leading EDA Tools

The TDS Quartet WaveBridge analyzes simulation waveforms produced by electronic design automation (EDA) tools from leading EDA vendors such as Synopsys, Cadence and Mentor Graphics. It synthesizes optimal pin-driver timing/formats to best utilize the tester's resources.

The WaveBridge also manages the unique timing architecture on the Quartet testers, reducing the cost of test and resulting in higher production yields. By producing ``ready-to-run'' tester files, test engineers do not have to debug their test patterns and timing, and have more time to develop contact tests, binning and other silicon verification tasks.

Free 60-day trial of TestBenchPLUS with purchase of Quartet test system

Starting today, Credence will ship complimentary copies of Fluence's new TestBenchPLUS software with the purchase of any Quartet test system. TestBenchPLUS is Fluence's easy-to-use product that helps design engineers at fabless semiconductor companies automate the test development process of electronic devices, specifically the task of finding and eliminating design and ATE incompatibilities. TestBenchPLUS features a push-button user interface, including a ``wizard'' that guides users through the test development and auto-repair processes. The bundled software is customized for Credence automatic test equipment (ATE) systems and is accompanied by a trial license allowing unlimited use for 60 days.

About the Quartet Series

The Quartet series is designed to address high-volume, cost-sensitive consumer mixed-signal products. These include system-on-chip (SOC) devices targeted at internet, communications and entertainment markets. To test these advanced devices, Quartet One integrates high pin count (up to 512 pins), high-speed digital (200 MHz); high-performance video, audio and RF analog; and embedded memory test capability.

Pricing and Availability

The TDS Credence Quartet-100 WaveBridge is priced at $39,000 and is available now. A scan support option, priced at $20,000, is also available. The standard WaveBridge module and the Scan option can both be purchased from Fluence Technology and Credence Systems.

About Fluence Technology

Fluence Technology is a leading provider of mixed-signal design and test automation software technology and solutions, providing an integrated development environment between ASIC, EDA and ATE suppliers. More than 250 of the world's top electronics companies reduce time-to-market by using Fluence's innovative products, services and support. Fluence headquarters are located in Beaverton, Oregon, with sales offices and distributors throughout the world. Please visit the company's web site at http://www.fluence.com, or contact us at info@fluence.com.

About Credence

Credence Systems Corporation is a leader in the manufacture of ATE for the global semiconductor industry. Credence offers a wide range of products with test capabilities for digital, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory semiconductors.

Utilizing its patented CMOS technologies, Credence products are designed to meet the strict time-to-market and cost-of-ownership requirements of its customers. Headquartered in Fremont, California, the company maintains advanced production and design facilities in Hillsboro, Oregon. Credence, an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer, is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol CMOS. More information is available at www.credence.com.

Trademarks mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

Contact:
     Fluence Technology Inc.
     Mike Kondrat, 503/672-8734
     MikeK@fluence.com
     or
     KVO Public Relations
     Andrea Bruce/Kara Conkle, 503/221-1551
     andrea_bruce@kvo.com or kara_conkle@kvo.com