High Precision Mixed Signal Technology and Multi-site Capability Enable Cost-Effective and Comprehensive Testing from Design through Debug and Production

Credence Systems Corporation (NASDAQ:CMOS) , a leading provider of innovative and cost-effective test solutions from design to production for the worldwide semiconductor industry, today announced that ELMOS, a leading developer and producer of customer-specific system solutions for the automotive sector, has selected its FALCON systems for the testing of semiconductors used in automotive devices through 2010. With the design of automotive semiconductors becoming more cost-sensitive and integral to future success, the Germany-based semiconductor manufacturer will use the FALCON GLX from Credence to achieve industry-leading scalability, cost-performance and flexibility. In evolving its use of Credence's FALCON Piranha systems to include the GLX, ELMOS extends a highly successful customer support relationship and continues to leverage Credence's 20 years experience in automotive device testing. The two companies plan to continue working closely to define future needs.

Electronics innovation is a key market driver in the automotive industry leading to greater electronics device complexity and a resultant increase in the number of sophisticated complex ICs (integrated circuits) required to power diverse functions such as distance control, advanced vehicle safety systems, electronic engine and chassis control, and a host of wireless technologies. Auto makers are required to ensure the performance and durability of electronic systems for exceptionally long periods and demanding not only greater functionality but zero-defect components from semiconductor manufacturers. To meet these evolving requirements, IC manufacturers are combining analog, power and digital cores on single silicon chips while setting unprecedented cost-performance benchmarks, relying on sophisticated test processes such as multi-site and highest-precision mixed signal to accelerate delivery of advanced products at reduced cost.

"Modern system on chip (SoC) devices for the automotive industry require a test system with a wide and flexible instrumentation," said Dr. Anton Mindl, Chief Executive Officer of ELMOS. "Credence's FALCON GLX delivers excellent mixed-signal technology to cover the whole range of diverse testing requirements from design through debug and production. Fast testing speed and excellent multi-site capability, on the other hand, safeguard the cost efficiency needed in the automotive environment."

ELMOS supplies a broad range of semiconductors, partnering closely with its customers from initial concepts through development. ELMOS products are used by nearly all auto manufacturers all over the world to power everything from data transmission and motor control to airbag systems and specialized solutions for high-temperature applications such as an alternator control with Credence testing its entire portfolio. The newly available FALCON GLX from Credence covers ELMOS' broad product range and best meets evolving value requirements with the fastest test speeds and multi-site testing at more than 48 sites.

The latest in Credence's FALCON test series, the FALCON GLX is architected to deliver the sophistication, speed and flexibility needed to satisfy the long-term needs of automobile manufacturers and their IC suppliers. Introduced last year, FALCON GLX introduces a mixed-signal test platform that combines a true per-pin architecture with advanced analog instrumentation to enable extensive multi-site test capabilities. While multi-site testing delivers the higher throughput essential to staying competitive, FALCON's field-proven software and extensive suite of tools deliver the flexibility semiconductor manufacturers need to meet both current and future applications requirements.

"Suppliers of semiconductors for the automotive industry manufacturers are dealing with smaller lot sizes and longer-term lifecycle performance guarantees of ten or even twenty years," says Lavi Lev, Chief Executive Officer of Credence Systems. "Like military and aerospace systems, every aspect of the design, development and production processes must be optimized to ensure predictable performance, reliability, and profitability. ELMOS is setting new standards with its outstanding performance and our goal at Credence, as we continue to work closely with them, is to continue to provide comprehensive coverage of both current and future test requirements for the automotive industry."

About ELMOS

ELMOS is a leading developer and producer of customer-specific system solutions for many years in the automotive sector. Based on the modular high-voltage CMOS technology, a great amount of analog mixed-signal circuitry elements such as voltage regulators, analog/digital converters, power-drives and NVM storage offer a huge range of integration possibilities for customers' ideas. http://www.elmos.de/

About Credence

Credence Systems Corporation is a leading provider of debug, characterization and ATE solutions for the global semiconductor industry. With a commitment to applying innovative technology to lower the cost-of-test, Credence delivers competitive cost and performance advantages to integrated device manufacturers (IDMs), wafer foundries, outsource assembly and test (OSAT) suppliers and fabless chip companies worldwide. A global, ISO 9001-certified company with a presence in 20 countries, Credence is headquartered in Milpitas, California.

More information is available at http://www.credence.com/

Source: Credence Systems Corporation