FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 

Debra Seifert
McClenahan Bruer Communications
(503) 546-1000
debra@mcbru.com

Deb Stockman
Aeroflex Incorporated
(316) 529-5448
deb.stockman@aeroflex.com

 

Aeroflex’s Synthetic Microwave Test Systems Now Available
with National Instruments’ NI TestStand Option

San Antonio, Texas—AUTOTESTCON—September 20, 2004 — Aeroflex Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARXX) today announced it has integrated National Instruments’ NI TestStand™ Development System into its high-performance synthetic microwave test systems. NI TestStand is a test management environment that provides a standard test sequencing capability for a variety of test applications, enabling Aeroflex customers to develop their own test sequences using an industry standard platform. It is now available as an option for the Aeroflex TRM 1000C and the STI 1000C synthetic broadband microwave test systems. The TRM synthetic test system is used for testing of high-performance broadband microwave components, subsystems and transmit/receive (TR) modules used in applications such as base stations, phased-array radar, communications systems and electronic warfare. The STI system is the most advanced system available for testing of satellite payloads.

“The addition of NI TestStand to the TRM and STI synthetic test systems is a natural fit that takes advantage of the open and flexible measurement architecture of our products. The additional capability provides customers with another method to access the wide variety of modular software products and a powerful measurement suite within the Aeroflex synthetic platform for advanced microwave test applications. They will also realize the benefits of standardizing test sequencing on an industry-standard product like NI TestStand,” said Mark Jurovich, general manager, Aeroflex systems division, Powell, Ohio.

About the TRM 1000C and the STI 1000C synthetic test systems

The NI TestStand option will be available first on the TRM 1000C and the STI 1000C test systems. Both the TRM 1000C and the STI 1000C can be used either as standalone instruments or controlled by an external network as part of an enterprise-wide factory automation solution. These systems are designed to dramatically improve test times and reduce measurement errors introduced by either the operator or the test hardware. Test throughput delivered by these systems exceeds that achieved by a traditional rack and stack system by up to an order of magnitude, with measurement accuracy rivaling that of a vector network analyzer.

The TRM 1000C and the STI 1000C are capable of making vector and scalar measurements under either continuous wave (CW), pulsed or modulated signal conditions with programmatic access to all the key stimulus and measurement parameters. A complete library of microwave tests is offered and customers may easily develop new or unique tests using a high-level test scripting language. Error-corrected s-parameters, spectral measurements, noise measurements, modulation/demodulation measurements are all available.

The standard TRM 1000C is capable of microwave stimulus and measurement to 26.5 GHz, up to +20 dBm device under test (DUT) input and from –90 to +30 dBm DUT output levels. Standard frequency and power extension options are available to 36 GHz and +50 dBm power level stimulus.

The standard STI 1000C is capable of microwave stimulus and measurement to 32 GHz, up to +10 dBm DUT input and from –80 to +30 dBm DUT output levels. Standard frequency and power extension options are available to 36 GHz and +50 dBm power level stimulus. A unique remote calibration unit provision enables very precise and accurate measurements even at the end of very long cabling that is usually required for testing satellite payloads in remote environmental chambers.

Aeroflex will provide custom features including development of NI TestStand-sequences for customers for both the TRM and STI systems on a paid, non-recurring engineering (NRE) basis. Both standard and custom DUT port matrices are available, enabling literally hundreds of input and output test ports.

About Aeroflex Synthetic Systems

Aeroflex has more than 10 years experience in the design and development of synthetic test systems that provide multi-function test capabilities encompassing broadband network analysis, spectral analysis, noise measurement and modulation/demodulation performance characterization. Synthetic test systems solve many of the problems associated with rack-and-stack test stands. Synthetic test systems provide superior test speeds for increased throughput, access to the parameters of measurement algorithms, fully integrated National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) traceable calibration, in-situ calibration and verification of the system even with the DUT connected, and a complete library of important microwave test algorithms.

Using broadband digital-analog converter (DAC)/up-converter technology on the stimulus side and broadband down-converter/analog-digital converter (ADC) technology on the measurement side, along with fast, real-time digital signal processing (DSP), Aeroflex synthetic test systems offer the ultimate test implementation flexibility as well as stability, repeatability and reliability. This is achieved only when calibration and verification are designed-in tightly integrated components of the system architecture. Throughput from a synthetic test platform approach often yields a 10x advantage in test throughput over rack-and-stack test systems. In addition, synthetic test systems reduce system integration time and lower the total cost of test.

Availability

NI TestStand is available starting September 20, 2004 and will be delivered within 30 days upon receipt of order. The starter kit provides examples and fast-start functional test sequences for the TRM 1000C and STI 1000C.

About Aeroflex

Aeroflex Incorporated is a global provider of high technology solutions to the aerospace, defense and broadband communications markets. The Company’s diverse technologies allow it to design, develop, manufacture and market a broad range of test, measurement and microelectronic products. The Company’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol ARXX and is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 index. Additional information concerning Aeroflex Incorporated can be found on the Company’s website: www.aeroflex.com .

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release regarding Aeroflex’s financial position, business outlook, business strategy and plans and objectives of its management for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to Aeroflex or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of Aeroflex’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to its management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to, competitive factors and pricing pressures, the divesture of the thin film interconnect manufacturing business, the integration of the business of each of MCE Technologies, Celerity Systems and the Racal Instruments Wireless Solutions Group with Aeroflex, changes in legal and regulatory requirements, technological change or difficulties, product development risks, commercialization difficulties and general economic conditions. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to the future and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to Aeroflex’s financial condition, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. Aeroflex does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.