Cohu Announces Order for New Diamondx Instrument and Mixed Signal Platform

Rhea-AI Summary

Cohu, Inc. (NASDAQ: COHU) has announced a significant order for its Diamondx platform from a leading multinational Automotive, Industrial, and Computing customer. The order includes an integrated test cell solution featuring the new VI100 instrument and major mixed signal platform enhancements, paired with Cohu's NY32 handler and cCompact interface.

The VI100 is a four-quadrant voltage and current instrument designed to address the increasing complexity of analog and power management ICs. The enhanced Diamondx platform now offers up to 80% reduced test time compared to legacy systems, at less than half the cost-of-test of competitive liquid-cooled systems. This advancement positions Cohu to target an estimated $860 million addressable market in automotive, industrial, and computing applications.

Positive

• Secured order from a leading multinational customer in Automotive, Industrial, and Computing sectors
• New VI100 instrument offers high-accuracy DC source and measure capabilities
• Diamondx platform achieves up to 80% reduced test time compared to legacy systems
• Cost-of-test less than half of competitive liquid-cooled systems
• Targets an estimated $860 million addressable market in automotive, industrial, and computing applications

Negative

• None.

Market Research Analyst

This order marks a significant win for Cohu in the $860 million addressable market for mixed signal semiconductor testing equipment. The selection by a top 5 automotive semiconductor manufacturer validates Cohu's strategy and positions them well in the competitive landscape. The Diamondx platform's 80% reduction in test time and 50% lower cost-of-test compared to legacy systems are compelling selling points that could drive further market share gains.

The focus on power management devices aligns with the growing importance of energy efficiency in automotive, industrial and computing applications. This trend is likely to continue, potentially leading to sustained demand for Cohu's testing solutions. Investors should monitor Cohu's ability to leverage this win into additional orders and market penetration.

Tech Expert

The new VI100 instrument represents a significant technological advancement in semiconductor testing. Its four-quadrant voltage and current capabilities, combined with high-accuracy DC source and measure functions, address the increasing complexity of analog and power management ICs. The integration of arbitrary waveform source and capture further enhances its versatility.

The multi-core test computer architectures and enhanced databus suggest improved parallel processing capabilities, which likely contribute to the substantial reduction in test time. This technological edge could provide Cohu with a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry, particularly as devices become more sophisticated and power-efficient.

Financial Analyst

While specific financial figures aren't provided, this order from a leading multinational customer in key sectors (Automotive, Industrial and Computing) is likely to have a positive impact on Cohu's revenue stream. The Diamondx platform's cost-efficiency could lead to improved profit margins for Cohu, assuming competitive pricing doesn't erode these gains.

Investors should watch for potential follow-on orders and the rate of adoption for the new VI100 instrument. If Cohu can successfully penetrate the $860 million addressable market with this enhanced offering, it could drive significant growth. However, it's important to assess how this single order translates into broader market acceptance and financial performance in upcoming quarterly reports.

POWAY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cohu, Inc. (NASDAQ: COHU), a global supplier of equipment and services optimizing semiconductor manufacturing yield and productivity, today announced a leading multinational Automotive, Industrial, and Computing customer has selected the Diamondx platform for testing power management devices. This customer ordered an integrated test cell solution including Cohu’s Diamondx tester configured with the new VI100 instrument along with major mixed signal platform enhancements paired with Cohu’s NY32 handler and cCompact interface.

The new VI100 product is a four-quadrant voltage and current instrument that combines high-accuracy DC source and measure, including arbitrary waveform source and capture. Designed to address the increasing complexity and integration of analog and power management ICs, the VI100 is configured with a newly enhanced set of mixed signal instruments, multi-core test computer architectures and databus. The Diamondx now offers up to 80% reduced test time compared to legacy systems at less than half the cost-of-test for competitive-liquid cooled systems.

“We are excited to see traction with our Diamondx tester strategy, including the new VI100 instrument, in the mixed signal market and in particular with selection by a top 5 automotive semiconductor manufacturer,” commented Luis Müller, Cohu President and CEO. “The Diamondx now offers a scalable platform for testing next generation mixed signal semiconductors used in automotive, industrial, and computing applications, an estimated $860 million addressable market.”

About Cohu:

Cohu (NASDAQ: COHU) is a global technology leader supplying test, automation, inspection and metrology products and services to the semiconductor industry. Cohu’s differentiated and broad product portfolio enables optimized yield and productivity, accelerating customers’ manufacturing time-to-market. Additional information can be found at www.Cohu.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this release and accompanying materials may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding new product introductions or customer adoptions and corresponding product performance estimates and/or financial impacts; expectations related to our FY2024 outlook; and any other statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions; and/or include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend;” and/or other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Any third-party industry analyst forecasts quoted are for reference only and Cohu does not adopt or affirm any such forecasts.

Actual results and future business conditions could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: new product investments and product enhancements which may not be commercially successful; the semiconductor industry is seasonal, cyclical, volatile and unpredictable; recent erosion in mobile, automotive and industrial market sales; our ability to manage and deliver high quality products and services; failure of sole source contract manufacturer or our ability to manage third-party raw material, component and/or service providers; ongoing inflationary pressures on material and operational costs coupled with rising interest rates; economic recession; the semiconductor industry is intensely competitive, subject to rapid technological changes, and experiences consolidation of key customers for semiconductor test equipment; a limited number of customers account for a substantial percentage of net sales; significant exports to foreign countries with economic and political instability and competition from a number of Asia-based manufacturers; our relationships with customers may deteriorate; loss of key personnel; risks of using artificial intelligence within Cohu’s product developments and business; reliance on foreign locations and geopolitical instability in such locations critical to Cohu and its customers; natural disasters, war and climate-related changes, including related economic impacts; levels of debt; access to sufficient capital on reasonable or favorable terms; foreign operations and related currency fluctuations; required or desired accounting charges and the cost or effectiveness of accounting controls; instability of financial institutions where we maintain cash deposits and potential loss of uninsured cash deposits; significant goodwill and other intangibles as percentage of our total assets; increasingly restrictive trade and export regulations impacting our ability to sell products, specifically within China; risks associated with acquisitions, investments and divestitures such as integration and synergies; constraints related to corporate governance structures; share repurchases and related impacts; financial or operating results that are below forecast or credit rating changes impacting our stock price or financing ability; law/regulatory changes and including environmental or tax law changes; significant volatility in our stock price; the risk of cybersecurity breaches; enforcing or defending intellectual property claims or other litigation.

These and other risks and uncertainties are discussed more fully in Cohu’s filings with the SEC, including our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and the other filings made by Cohu with the SEC from time to time, which are available via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as required by applicable law, Cohu does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For press releases and other information of interest to investors, please visit Cohu’s website at www.cohu.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240905515337/en/

Investor Contact:

Cohu, Inc.

Jeffrey D. Jones - Investor Relations

858-848-8106

Source: Cohu, Inc.

FAQ

What new product has Cohu (COHU) announced for semiconductor testing?

Cohu has announced the new VI100 instrument for its Diamondx platform, designed for testing power management devices with high-accuracy DC source and measure capabilities, including arbitrary waveform source and capture.

How much test time reduction does Cohu's (COHU) new Diamondx platform offer?

The enhanced Diamondx platform now offers up to 80% reduced test time compared to legacy systems.

What is the cost advantage of Cohu's (COHU) new Diamondx system?

Cohu's new Diamondx system offers less than half the cost-of-test compared to competitive liquid-cooled systems.

What is the estimated addressable market for Cohu's (COHU) Diamondx platform?

Cohu estimates an $860 million addressable market for the Diamondx platform in automotive, industrial, and computing applications.