NEWS - Tuesday, June 6, 2006

CIMTEK Develops Xbox 360 Test Solution
CIMTEK uses NI Modular Instrumentation in Xbox 360(TM) global test strategy CIMTEK Ltd. announces National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) as a key collaborator in the development of the Xbox 360 test solution, enabling faster, more accurate and lower cost test for high volume production. Microsoft selected CIMTEK as a test strategy design and development partner to devise a global solution to test the new Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. CIMTEK worked with National Instruments to meet critical time to market demands while keeping quality high and costs low. CIMTEKs experience in developing complex test solutions for global customers combined with National Instruments PC-based modular instrument and data acquisition technology was essential in the success of Xbox 360 global test strategy. Leslie Leland, director of platform evaluation from Microsoft says "The Xbox 360 launch was one of the most complex global launches ever undertaken for a consumer electronics product. The CIMTEK team together with National Instruments enabled us to deliver just in time test solutions for our factory." The system included the NI PCI-5112 and NI PCI-5122 100 MHz digitizers, two NI modular instruments designed to acquire and process large waveforms, resulting in an improved transfer rate. Both enable faster measurements and decrease overall test time. In addition, NI PCI data acquisition products quadrupled test resolution and increased sampling speed, resulting in overall improved test accuracy. "We rely on our key partnerships to ensure our global clients meet their critical time to market windows," says Stan Smith from CIMTEK. "During the development of the complex test solution for the Xbox 360, we chose to work with National Instruments because of their long history in providing advanced cost-effective test and measurement technology." "National Instruments is pleased to work with NI Alliance Partner Program members such as CIMTEK to deliver leading-edge test solutions," said Eric Starkloff, NI director of product marketing for PXI, Modular Instruments and Instrument Control. "National Instruments modular hardware offers both performance and flexibility to help Microsoft meet its time-to-market demands." Microsoft introduced its next-generation system, Xbox 360, in the 2005 holiday season in Europe, Japan and North America, and has launched the system in Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, Singapore and Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand in 2006. CIMTEKs software and proven platforms often incorporate NI products in order to support the test strategies of global organizations. About the test solution strategy for the Xbox 360 CIMTEK utilized key test technologies together with their unique process of applied Professional Test Engineering in order to design systems for testability and to lower the cost of test services. CIMTEK recommended the creation of five (5) different test platforms with centralized control and reporting. These testers are being implemented throughout the manufacturing process in China where the Xbox is manufactured.Source: http://www.emsnow.com/