Around the Circuit
INDUSTRY NEWS
Advanced technology product and service provider TRW Inc. and first-mile broadband engine supplier for e-business gateways Endgate Corp. have signed a definitive agreement to merge Endgate and TRW Milliwave Inc. , a wholly owned TRW subsidiary, to create Endwave Corp. The new company will supply broadband access equipment, including specialized antennas, transceivers and outdoor units. The transaction includes a supply agreement ensuring Endwave’s access to TRW’s advanced GaAs MMIC foundry, and the closing of the merger is subject to regulatory approval. Endwave will be owned approximately 50 percent by TRW and 50 percent by Endgate’s current shareholders. Both TRW and current Endgate shareholders will contribute cash to Endwave to support the new company’s growth. Endwave will be located in Sunnyvale, CA and maintain design and manufacturing facilities in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and Diamond Springs, CA.
The assets of the legacy business of Millitech Corp. have been purchased by MMW Acquisition LLC from Telaxis Communications Corp. Businesses being transferred include the millimeter-wave components and assemblies and the SATCOM divisions. The new company, Millitech LLC , will retain all of the former employees of both businesses and is currently adding resources to revitalize its engineering bench strength and improve customer service.
ADC , a supplier of network equipment, software and integration services for broadband, multiservice networks located in Minneapolis, MN, will acquire Tustin, CA-based PairGain Technologies Inc. , a designer of digital subscriber line networking systems. Under the terms of the agreement, each share of PairGain Technologies’ common stock will be converted into 0.43 share of ADC common stock with a fixed exchange ratio. Based on the closing share price of $46.81 for ADC’s stock on February 22, the transaction is valued at approximately $1.6 B. The proposed transaction is expected to be completed during ADC’s third fiscal quarter, which ends on July 31, and is intended to be accounted for as a pooling of interests and treated as a tax-free reorganization for US federal income tax purposes. Closing of the proposed transaction is subject to the approval of PairGain Technologies’ stockholders, receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Highly integrated microwave component, assembly and subsystem developer Anaren Microwave Inc. , Syracuse, NY, has acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of RF Power Components Inc. , a privately held manufacturer of coaxial and surface-mount RF power resistors and attenuators based in Long Island, NY. According to Anaren, the acquisition strengthens and expands its microwave power product line, enabling the company to better serve its wireless original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers.
Privately held defense electronics firm Condor Systems Inc. , San Jose, CA, has completed the acquisition of the business and certain assets of Andrew SciComm Inc. , a worldwide supplier of electronic products and systems for signal intelligence and electronic warfare applications located in Garland, TX, from its parent company, Andrew Corp. The purchase includes the sale of the trade name SciComm. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Electrical test product and service manufacturer Everett Charles Technologies (ECT) , a subsidiary of Dover Corp. located in Pomona, CA, has acquired PrimeYield Systems Inc. , a manufacturer of test contactors and the North American distributor of Micronics Japan Co. probe cards for semiconductor testing. Under the terms of the transaction, PrimeYield Systems will become a part of ECT’s semiconductor test group. According to ECT, the PrimeYield acquisition represents one of a series of steps the company plans to make in the semiconductor test business. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
M/A-COM Inc. , Lowell, MA, has completed the acquisition of ITT GaAsTEK , the GaAsTEK business unit of ITT Industries Inc. The GaAsTEK unit, a provider of GaAs MMIC processes located in Roanoke, VA, will operate as a part of M/A-COM. The acquisition will enhance M/A-COM’s capabilities in several areas, including providing the capacity of a third GaAs fabrication facility to the company and strengthening its product capabilities and market position in both the wireless and aerospace and defense markets. In related news, M/A-COM has introduced a GaAs-based enhancement/depletion (E/D)-mode semiconductor IC process that has been installed at both its Colorado Springs, CO fabrication facility and the newly acquired Roanoke, VA operation. M/A-COM developed the E/D process to meet the stringent linearity and single-supply voltage requirements of second-generation (2G) and third-generation (3G) wireless handsets, infrastructure and wireless local area network products.
Satellite wireless communications product designer Norsat International Inc. (NII) , Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, has signed an agreement to acquire (subject to regulatory approval) privately held SpectraWorks Inc. , a developer of systems and software for broadcasting multimedia broadband content across satellite, terrestrial wireless and digital cable networks. According to NII, the acquisition significantly broadens the range of solutions the company can provide for multimedia Internet and private Internet-based data networks. The acquisition will allow NII to add uplink broadcast transport products to its terminal access products, which include Ka-band outdoor units being developed for the new ASTRA-NET and KoreaSAT satellite broadband multimedia networks.
Plated copper thick-film metallized ceramic substrate, chip carrier and package producer Remtec Inc. , Norwood, MA, has acquired Tecmark Plating Services and equipped the 13,000-square-foot facility with state-of-the-art electrolytic and autocatalytic plating lines. The expanded facility is also supported by an on-site analytic laboratory and x-ray system for advanced quality control and research and development activity. Designed specifically for plating ceramic boards and crystals, the enhanced facility now offers improved product cycle times and a production capability of 50,000 metallized ceramic panels per month.
Signal Technology Corp. , Danvers, MA, and LogiMetrics Inc. , Bohemia, NY, have entered into a nonbinding letter of intent pursuant to which Signal Technology will acquire LogiMetrics through the merger of a wholly owned Signal Technology subsidiary. In connection with the proposed merger, Signal Technology intends to contribute the assets of LogiMetrics’ mmTech Inc. subsidiary to its recently formed Signal Wireless Group (SWG) . Under the terms of the merger, holders of LogiMetrics common stock will receive a certain percentage of a tracking security that will reflect the performance of SWG, which will be distributed upon completion of a public offering of SWG equity and Signal Technology common stock. In addition, upon execution of the letter of intent, Signal Technology has assumed the management and operation of the New York business through its Keltec division and has assumed all current liabilities of the business.
Ericsson Components AB , a supplier of microelectronic components for wireless applications, broadband communications, fixed access and communication via fiber optics, has changed its name to Ericsson Microelectronics AB . In related news, the company has announced that the worldwide operations for its DC/DC power modules have become an integral part of Ericsson Microelectronics.
Micro Communications Executive Search (Micro Comm) is celebrating 20 years in business by expanding its operation into a 10,000-square-foot facility located at 35 New England Business and Research Center, Andover, MA. In addition, the copany intends to introduce a new company, MicroRF Wireless.com , which will offer cutting-edge consulting services to the microwave/RF wireless communication industry.
Subminiature RF connector manufacturer Connector Concepts Inc. has opened a new administrative and sales office located at 2301 NW 33rd Court, Unit 104, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 (800) 801-4569, (954) 971-4569, fax (954) 971-5117. The company currently manufactures a line of connectors, adapters and special design connectors in its facility on the West Coast.
Sikama International Inc. has doubled the size of its manufacturing plant in Santa Barbara, CA and relocated its corporate offices, including sales, marketing and accounting, to an adjacent building to allow for more space in the production facility. The new state-of-the-art facility features a demonstration showroom, including a number of fully operational machines.
EMS Wireless , a division of EMS Technologies Inc. , has opened an enhanced production facility located in Norcross, GA. As a result of the new facility, the company is now one of the largest base station panel antenna manufacturers in the US market and expects to support a 400 percent increase in unit production capabilities. The new facility will also enable the company to significantly decrease order delivery lead times.
Microwave and RF product designer Alpha Industries Inc. , Woburn, MA, has received design wins and initial production orders for RF semiconductors to be used by three PC manufacturers in high speed wireless data modules. The company’s semiconductors perform RF switching in Windows™ and Macintosh computers and other mobile computing devices, providing wireless access to local area networks and wireless synchronization with personal digital assistants and cellular handsets.
ANADIGICS Inc. , Warren, NJ, has received an order for more than 10 million RF switches and has begun production shipments to a large US-based manufacturer of wireless handsets. The models AWS5504S14 and AWS5506S14 single-supply 3 V switches will be used in an 800 MHz digital CDMA/AMPS dual-mode telephone. In related news, the company has shipped samples of dual-band heterojunction bipolar transistor power amplifiers for use in GSM/digital communication system (DCS) wireless handsets.
Ansoft Corp. , Pittsburgh, PA, has signed a software licensing agreement with Thomson-CSF , appointing Ansoft Thomson-CSF’s approved worldwide supplier of electromagnetic analysis software. Under the terms of the agreement, Ansoft HSFF, a high frequency structure simulator that enables engineers to design three-dimensional (3D) structures, has been selected as the approved electromagnetic 3D solution for Thomson Atelier de Developpement Materiel (ATDM). The two parties will work together to provide Thomson-CSF with the tools and support necessary to optimize ATDM.
First Source Inc. has signed a national distribution agreement with RF Industries of San Diego, CA to distribute its full line of coaxial products.
Signal processing component and subsystem manufacturer IF Engineering , Dudley, MA, has appointed Dage Corp. as its export management company for overseas marketing and sales. This appointment provides IF Engineering with access to more than 30 countries around the world.
Lucent Technologies USA and KMW Korea have reached a general-purpose agreement under which Lucent has named KMW its worldwide supplier of high technology components for IMT-2000. Lucent Technologies’ audit team reviewed KMW and its facilities for a six-month period before granting KMW this status.
Motorola’s Commercial Government and Industrial Solutions Sector has agreed to license its SmartNet™ and SmartZone™ trunking protocol to IFR Systems Inc. The agreement enables IFR Systems to provide test equipment for this wide range of systems and to develop and implement SmartNet and SmartZone protocols in its next-generation test solutions for digital Project 25 systems. In related news, Motorola Labs has finalized an agreement with Munich, Germany-based Karl Suss that permits Karl Suss to offer Motorola’s proprietary mask protection technology (MPT) to its worldwide client base. This patent-pending technology allows a large number of contacts between mask and wafer without the normal mask wear or damage. Karl Suss plans to integrate MPT into its existing product line and license the new process to customers immediately.
QUALCOMM Inc. and RF Micro Devices Inc. have announced an alliance to provide advanced power amplifiers for the CDMA market. Initially, the two companies will cooperate on the development of CDMA power amplifiers for inclusion in present and future QUALCOMM CDMA chipsets. Future development may include other RFICs for CDMA applications. Under the terms of the agreement, QUALCOMM will market and sell the jointly developed CDMA power amplifiers using RF Micro Devices’ wafer foundry for manufacturing. QUALCOMM will provide the necessary software and system development tools to enable faster development cycles for manufacturers using the QUALCOMM power amplifiers. In related news, RF Micro Devices has received production orders for GSM and DCS/PCS power amplifiers from Groupe Sagem , a French manufacturer of GSM mobile handsets.
Wireless communications test equipment provider Telecom Analysis Systems Inc. , Eatontown, NJ, is providing its WCDMA-LAB series test system in conjunction with equipment from Agilent Technologies Inc. to provide a wideband CDMA RF performance test system. The automated test system facilitates precise receiver performance characterization by providing accurate and repeatable air interface test conditions, and will be used by vendors to qualify the performance of candidate handsets for the Japanese market.
W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. , Newark, DE, has been named Eastern Communications Co.’s (Eastcom) local supplier for surface-mount electromagnetic interference gaskets. A telecom equipment manufacturer for Motorola for more than 10 years, Eastcom recently introduced originally designed telephones bearing the Eastcom logo to local retailers.
Electronic design automation (EDA) solution provider Xpedion Design Systems Inc. has integrated its GoldenGate™ series RF simulation and behavioral modeling products with Synopsys ’ COSSAP® system-level design series. By coupling these products (performed under the Synopsys in-Synch EDA interoperability program), time to market is improved as well as designer productivity for RF and wireless communication designs. The new GoldenGate-COSSAP interface unifies bottom-up and top-down design methodologies for existing 2G and evolving 3G and Bluetooth communication standards.
In response to industry demand for power supply products, Astec Semiconductor , Milpitas, CA, has increased production capacity by 400 percent across its voltage reference IC product offering. The increase in production capacity is designed to ensure that customers do not experience increased lead times for control components. Accordingly, the company has expanded its wafer, packaging and test capabilities as well as its engineering and production staff.
The Thick Film Division of Mini-Systems Inc. , North Attleboro, MA, which is certified to the Life Failure Rate S for MIL-PRF-55342 Fixed-film, Resistor Chip Performance Specification, has established a new program to provide customers with real-time data on similar products. The Mini-Systems Inc. Reliability Program (MSIRP) allows these products to be tested on a continuous basis and produces a certificate of conformance to accompany the data. The MSIRP displays the data in a graphical representation plotted against military standard criteria. Inspectors on the production line select samples at random and send them to quality assurance for testing. The data are also published on the company’s Web site and updated periodically.
Hybrid and semiconductor equipment manufacturer Palomar Technologies , Vista, CA, has shipped its 12th model 3500-II die bonder to Philippines-based Philips Laguna Cabuyao to manufacture RF transistors. The 11 Palomar Technologies bonders currently in operation at the Philips facility are used in the manufacture of both RF transistors and community antenna televisions.
In response to rapid growth in high density flexible interconnect opportunities, Rogers Corp. , Rogers, CT, is manufacturing its R/flex® 8080 line of liquid photoimageable overcoat (LPI) materials in the US to serve both US and European customers. Since 1997, Rogers has maintained a distribution agreement with Japan-based Nippon Polytech Corp. to supply Nippon Polytech’s LPI covercoats to Rogers customers. A new agreement between Rogers and Nippon allows Rogers to broaden the range of products it will offer and to manufacture the covercoat products in the US. Rogers expects to begin manufacturing the product line this year at its Circuit Materials Division in Chandler, AZ.
Measurement solution provider Tektronix Inc. , Beaverton, OR, has developed a new business strategy to focus on the global telecommunications industry and computer and Internet infrastructure. Practicing this strategy, the company hopes to leverage its competencies, extend its market share and realize double-digit growth goals. Using a market description known as “The Zone,” Tektronix is aiming at the targeted computer and telecommunication industries, including their semiconductor requirements. The company also plans to develop closer customer relationships to accelerate design cycles.
A research team at the Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, NM, has devised a new, more accurate blood test to identify workers who are sensitized to beryllium. The team, led by Babetta Morrone of the Laboratory’s Bioscience Division , has also pinpointed genetic markers that indicate increased risk for a small number of workers who are more likely to develop chronic beryllium disease, a disabling and sometimes fatal lung condition.
The Phoenix Company of Chicago Inc. , Wood Dale, IL, and its affiliated companies, Palco Connector , Mil-Con Inc. and Custom Assembly LLC , have been certified to the ISO 9001 quality system standard. The companies design and manufacture combination D-subminiature, filtered, and military audio and multipin connectors; RF/microwave cable, PCB and electromechanical assemblies; and delay lines.
Raytheon Microsystems , Buena Park, CA, has presented Trenton, NJ-based Stealth Microwave with an award in recognition and appreciation of superior value and service and innovative power amplifier design.
FINANCIAL NEWS
Anaren Microwave Inc. ’s board of directors has authorized a three-for-two stock split in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend payable to shareholders of record on May 12. Certificates representing the additional shares resulting from the dividend are expected to be mailed on June 9.
Erlangen, Germany-based Palomar Technologies GmbH has announced that it has exceeded 1999 sales expectations by more than 10 percent and is forecasting a strong 2000. Demand for the company’s wire and die bonders has been particularly strong for wireless, microwave and telecommunications applications. Strong sellers include the company’s upgraded model 3500-II component assembly cell, a new line of CBT™ 6000 high speed automatic ball bonders and the models 2460-V and 2470-V wire bonders.
Embedded antenna technology producer RangeStar Wireless , Aptos, CA, has announced that it is in the final stages of its mezzanine round of financing. This private placement of funds will allow the company to finalize its planned objectives and fully capitalize on immediate market opportunities. The investment is expected to accelerate the scheduled initial public offering date for RangeStar to early fall.
REMEC Inc. , San Diego, CA, has completed a follow-on public offering of common stock. The company realized net proceeds of $133.2 M for the 3.5 million shares issued.
CONTRACTS
IFR Systems Inc. Wichita, KS, has been awarded a three-year, $8.1 M contract from British Telecommunications (BT) to supply calibration and maintenance services for BT’s electronic test equipment used in field and laboratory applications throughout the UK. As BT’s primary service vendor, IFR Systems will be responsible for calibration and maintenance of telecommunications test equipment manufactured by IFR as well as third parties.
REMEC Inc. has received several new contracts, including an additional $6.2 M fiber-optic component order representing a share of the OC-192 modulator driver business from Nortel Optoelectronics. In addition, REMEC is nearing completion of an initial $19 M order from Motorola (previously General Instrument) for GaAs amplifiers and received a follow-on order valued at $4 M. The company’s Broadband Wireless Group has also received several contracts, including one valued at approximately $2 M from an international fixed wireless access service provider for mm-wave fixed wireless access equipment. In addition, the division received a contract from Ensemble Communications that will result in sales of $1 M of mm-wave fixed wireless access equipment over the next several months. Finally, the Broadband Wireless Group has received two pilot productions awards for the point-to-multipoint broadband wireless market and a production award for modules that interface microwave and fiber-optic technology.
Andrew Corp. has been awarded a $6 M contract to provide broadband wireless system supplier Newbridge Networks Corp. with broadband wireless hub antennas. Andrew will provide its BCA series high gain hub antennas for the Newbridge Networks local multipoint distribution system broadband wireless solution, which enables service providers to enter the telecommunications market quickly with a broad portfolio of quality services for business customers. This antenna contract is the first order placed under a master purchase agreement between Andrew and Newbridge Networks. In addition to the BCA series antennas, the agreement also covers HELIAX® coaxial cable, RingFlare™ connectors, SureGround™ RF grounding kits and Andrew Arrestor Plus® surge arrestors, which protect installed radio equipment from lightning damage.
SSPA Microwave Corp. has entered into agreement with the Ministry of Railways, People’s Republic of China to supply 12 sets of 40 W and 33 sets of 25 W high performance, Ku-band radio frequency units. The contract is valued at $1.8 M with delivery expected to be completed by mid-October.
EMS Technologies Inc. has been awarded two separate contracts from TRW to supply radio frequency switching systems and electronic power conditioners for the satellite payloads of the Astrolink global broadband communications system. TRW will build the digital, packet-switched payloads for Astrolink International LLC satellites, which will provide the world’s first global broadband communications system. Financial terms of either contract were not disclosed.
PERSONNEL
Roger R. Hemminghaus has been elected to the CTS Corp. board of directors. Currently, Hemminghaus is chairman emeritus of Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. and chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, TX. In related news, CTS has named Roger E. Rickey VP and GM of its frequency products business. Rickey brings to the company more than 38 years of broad-based engineering, manufacturing, quality and management experience.
Jeffery Wheeler has been appointed CFO at TestMart. Prior to joining the company, Wheeler held senior finance and management positions with several firms, including Sierra Financial Group, Wells Fargo, Logistics Management Inc. and Zacson Corp.
M-tron Industries Inc. has appointed Robert R. Zylstra president and CEO. Prior to joining the company, Zylstra served as GM of new business ventures within the data storage and information management business of Imation Corp.
Andrew Corp. has promoted Alan Haase to group president, communication products. Haase joined Andrew in 1998 as VP, terrestrial microwave products from Ericsson where he was employed for 11 years in several capacities, including VP, wireless professional services; GM, cellular systems/PCS-Canada; and director, GSM strategic sales and marketing.
Taconic has promoted Jim O’Keefe to president. Most recently, O’Keefe served as VP and general manager of Taconic’s Industrial Products Business.
David W. Wightman has joined Dow-Key Microwave Corp. as president. Most recently, Wightman was president of Sunbank.
AMT has made two new personnel appointments, including Randy Jenkins as VP, corporate sales and Scott Rumery as director of engineering. Jenkins, who joined AMT in 1999 as director, new business development has more than 15 years of related experience in product sales and marketing, including positions at Filtronic Comtek, M/A-COM and Avantek-HP. Rumery joined the company in 1998 with more than 14 years of development experience, including work at Hewlett-Packard and Avantek.
IFR Systems Inc. has named Mitch Stone VP of sales, Americas region. Stone joins IFR Systems from Datum Inc., where he served as VP, sales and marketing since 1995. He succeeds Sam Strang , who will continue to serve as VP, corporate accounts. In related news, IFR Systems has appointed José Delgado director, sales and marketing for Latin America. Prior to joining the company, Delgado was the Eastern US and Latin American business development manager for AIL Systems Inc.’s Antenna Products Division.
Tropian Inc. has appointed Michael A. Kinser VP, sales and marketing with responsibility for the company’s worldwide sales and marketing activities. Prior to joining Tropian, Kinser served as senior VP of marketing at Telular Corp.
Aeroflex Lintek Corp. has promoted Stephen A. Brumley to VP, operations responsible for production and program execution. Brumley’s past experiences include engineering management; program management; and indoor/outdoor antenna and radar cross-section test range design, verification, utilization and management.
Norsat International Inc. (NII) has named Lindsay E. Ryerson VP, Norsat Narrowband Networks. Most recently, Ryerson was with Aurora Distributing, an operating unit divested by NII in 1998, to oversee Aurora’s transition to its new ownership.
Varian Inc. has promoted Sergio Piras and Wilson Rudd to corporate VPs. Previously, Piras was GM of Varian Vacuum Technologies in Torino, Italy; Rudd’s most recent position was GM of the $96 M Varian Electronics Manufacturing business.
Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company, has named Glenn Thoren director, intellectual property exploitation. Most recently, Thoren was director of technology licensing at the company.
Peter Beaulieu and Raul Diaz have joined Continental Microwave and Tool Company Inc. (CMT) as engineering manager and senior design engineer, respectively. Both Beaulieu and Diaz are formerly of M/A-COM and have filter, ferrite and microwave component experience.
As part of its celebration of the Third Millennium, the IEEE plans to award 3000 IEEE Millennium Medals and certificates to individuals who have been selected by IEEE societies, sections and major boards for outstanding contributions in their respective areas of activity. These medals will be distributed throughout the year. MTT members chosen to receive Third Millennium Medals include Stephen F. Adam, Les Besser, Eliot D. Cohen, Seymour B. Cohn, E. James Crescenzi Jr., Robert L. Eisenhart, Vladimir G. Gelnovatch, Al Gross, K.C. Gupta, George I. Haddad, Peter R. Herczfeld, John B. Horton, Harlan Howe Jr., Tatsuo Itoh, Rolf H. Jansen, Reynold S. Kagiwada, Linda P.B. Katehi, Reinhard H. Knerr, H. John Kuno, Ralph Levy, George L. Matthaei, James W. Mink, Edward C. Niehenke, Arthur A. Oliner, H. George Oltman Jr., John Osepchuk, Don Parker, Roger D. Pollard, Robert A. Pucel, Arye Rosen, David B. Rutledge, Theodore S. Saad, Martin V. Schneider, Harold Sobol, Roberto Sorrentino, Richard A. Sparks, Barry E. Spielman, Peter W. Staecker, Glenn Thoren, Kiyo Tomiyasu, Robert J. Trew and Leo Young .
REP APPOINTMENT
High performance laterally diffused metal oxide RF power semiconductor manufacturer UltraRF , Sunnyale, CA, has appointed Sangus to represent its cost-effective RF power semiconductors in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
NEW MARKET ENTRY
Sebago Molders LLC is a new company formed to offer waveguide covers for the microwave industry, including a new line of plastic waveguide covers that solve the problems of poor fit and twisted covers. The company is located at 525 John Dietsch Blvd., N. Attleboro Ind. Park, Attleboro Falls, MA 02763 (508) 643-4600, fax (508) 699-7774. The Web site is www.sebagomolders.com.
WEB SITES
Paratek Microwave Inc. has launched a new Web site at www.paratek.com that features the company’s line of Parascan™ voltage-tunable dielectric materials used to develop, manufacture and commercialize electronically tunable RF components and electronically steerable antennas for the broadband wireless telecommunications industry.
Polyflon Co. has launched a newly designed Web site at www.polyflon.com. The site contains descriptions of current and new products, including microwave laminates and circuits, HV/RF capacitors and engineering-grade plastics, as well as processing information.
The Olektron Operation of Signal Technology Corp. has updated its Web site to include more than 12 new products and a complete list of available product data sheets in PDF format. The site, located at www.sigtech.com/olektron, also features new lines of switch combiners and multifunction logarithmic amplifiers.
High density modular test solution provider VXI Technology Inc. has launched a new Web site that provides test engineers involved in automated testing with a resource to help specify and document a customized test station. The site, www.TestDesignOnline.com, can be utilized for internal development and budgeting or for requesting a quote for the development of a complete system by any independent integrator. Links are provided to several Web sites to enhance product selection.