By Graham K. Rogers

One of the most critical components of all modern electronic devices is the chip: the integrated circuit (IC). Some are complex and have many functions, such as the latest Intel processors, while others may be much simpler.

While some of the smaller ICs can be made in a lab, for commercial purposes, each item would need testing before being sent for sale. Epson has produced a number of devices for the testing of ICs at the industrial level.

Its new NS8160MS, NS8080MS, and NS8080SH IC test handlers are capable of transferring, testing, and sorting semiconductor chips at up to 13,500 chips per hour: far higher than the throughput of its previous series of IC testers.

Of particular note with the new series is the ability to test ICs at high temperatures (up to 155 deg C), which is ideal for testing of processors that are used in automotive applications.

For more information on the new Epson IC Handler there is a web page with useful links.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand where he is also Assistant Dean. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.