FormFactor, Inc. and Advantest Corporation announced today a strategic partnership to develop a novel test cell and measurement system designed for high-volume production of silicon photonics (SiPh) and co-packaged optics (CPO) devices. This collaboration is driven by the revolution in AI data center architectures, which require ever-increasing bandwidth while reducing power consumption. Silicon photonics is rapidly gaining traction in data centers for its ability to enable fast data transmission through optical signals, surpassing traditional electrical methods. This new test cell integrates the latest innovations from both companies, equipping photonics device developers with the tools they need to scale up volume production.
Key Features of the Test Cell Include:
- The world’s fastest automated photonic alignment with nine-axis nano-precision, delivering significantly higher throughput compared to other technologies.
- Full integration of FormFactor’s Velox™ probe station control and wafer-level measurement with Advantest’s V93000 test system.
- Wafer-level low-loss edge and surface coupling for photonic devices, with single-click automated calibration using FormFactor’s OptoVue™ and OptoVue™ Pro, enabling the fastest tool setup time.
- FormFactor’s Pharos™ optical probe technology achieves lowest coupling loss from the fiber to the device.
- Combines with FormFactor’s Apollo probe architecture for production proven volume test of optical and electrical devices.
- Superior instrumentation set for HPC/AI/data center devices within a proven manufacturing environment, using the leading ATE platform with Advantest’s V93000 test system.
- Tight integration of optical instrumentation into Advantest’s SmarTest 8 software platform.
Together, these capabilities significantly shorten the time for opto-electrical testing and provide accurate, reliable measurements. The platform now also facilitates optical measurements through seamless integration with essential equipment, such as laser sources, power meters, and optical signal routing and control instruments.
“The close collaboration between FormFactor and Advantest has resulted in one of the most automated, full-featured test and measurement systems available today for silicon photonics devices,” said Jens Klattenhoff, VP and GM of the Systems Business Unit at FormFactor. “By leveraging our expertise in calibration, motion technology, and rapid optical alignment, along with our joint advanced control software, we deliver high-precision, verifiable measurements immediately after system installation. FormFactor’s extensive experience in silicon photonics, including wafer and die-level probing, allows us to support our customers at every stage—from initial development to full-scale production.”
“As a global leader in automated test equipment for AI and high-performance computing, Advantest continues to drive innovation with the V93000 platform, now extending its capabilities to support silicon photonics and co-packaged optics devices,” said Juergen Serrer, Senior Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Advantest. “Innovations such as those featured in this new test system will deliver significant benefits to our customers.”
FormFactor’s silicon photonics systems are used by over 100 of the world’s leading SiPh device manufacturers. With over 13,000 installations worldwide, Advantest’s V93000 platform solidifies its status as the leading test solution for advanced technologies.