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SRA, 3MTS to develop automatic test systems

Our Bureau

CHENNAI, March 7

SRA Systems Ltd, a Chennai-based firm engaged in workflow solutions, migration projects and Web applications, has tied up with the US-based Third Millennium Test Solutions (3MTS) for the design and development of software for automatic test equipment (AT E) systems.

The two companies will work on the project using a secure virtual private network (VPN) between SRA's facility in Chennai and several development facilities in the US.

A virtual private network uses the Internet as the medium to move data from one centre to another through a network of servers. Data security is guaranteed by encryption devices.

ATE systems are used to confirm the quality of all integrated circuits.

The software under development by 3MTS and SRA, will provide one single program the ability to control ATE equipment from any manufacturer for the first time, according to Dr. William R. Bottoms, Chief Executive Officer, 3MTS.

At a press meet here on Monday, Dr. Bottoms said that this ability would improve the efficiency of introducing new integrated circuit designs by simplifying the process of ensuring quality. The first such software would be out in the US in October.

The VPN approach, which is used in real-time mission critical processes, would enable the engineering team at SRA to work on the design process on a daily basis, according to Dr. Bottoms.

Globally, the size of ATE systems _ including hardware, software and services _ is around $9 billions, and about 90 per cent of this is controlled by six companies, five in the US and one in Japan. There are about 30 companies worldwide in this specialis ed field, and according to Dr. Bottoms, 3MTS expects to move into the top tier of this industry soon.

Dr. Bottoms said that 3MTS was studying the Indian market for such solutions. He added that if the potential was good, 3MTS would explore opportunities to set up a local production facility for ATE systems.

Mr. S. Srinivasan, Chairman and Managing Director, SRA Systems, said the Indian semi-conductor electronic devices industry was still at the infancy stage. Dr. Bottoms said once the demand for electronic devices picked up in India, the demand for IC desig n, testing and other related services would also pick up.

Though the exact revenue stream from this project for SRA is not known, company officials said SRA was moving into high-end services from the conventional applications development area. SRA plans to come out with an IPO later this year.

Pic.: Dr. Wilmer R. Bottoms, CEO, Third Millennium Test Solutions, flanked by Mr. Hira Ranga, Vice-President, and Mr. S. Srinivasan, CMD, SRA Systems Ltd. at a press meet in Chennai.