Plano-based Siemens Digital Industry Software has acquired ASTER Technologies, a privately held market leader in printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) test verification and engineering software. Siemens said it will integrate ASTER’s advanced “shift-left” design for test functionality directly into Siemens’ Xpedition software and Valor software, part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software—establishing “an unparalleled, comprehensive portfolio for electronic systems design.”

Siemens said the acquisition will empower customers with “a truly integrated digital thread from PCB design engineering to manufacturing,” enabling earlier defect detection, reduced costs, accelerated time-to-market and improved product quality and reliability.

Founded in France in 1993

Founded in 1993 and based in Cesson-Sévigné, France, ASTER has been a leading supplier of software tools for verifying, assembling, and testing PCB assemblies for over 30 years. The company provides compelling DFM physical design verification software solutions for PCB fabrication, assembly and test, alongside robust test coverage analysis and optimized test programming capabilities, Siemens said.

ASTER’s flagship product is TestWay, known for its best-in-class DFT planning and implementation, enabling companies to prepare designs and implement robust test strategies early in the PCB assembly manufacturing process, Siemens said. TestWay complements Siemens’ Valor design for fabrication and assembly capabilities, creating “a comprehensive DFM solution.”

AJ Incorvaia, SVP and general manager of electronic board systems at Siemens Digital Industries Software, called the addition of ASTER Technologies “a game-changer for our customers in the PCB design and manufacturing space.”

“By integrating ASTER’s market-leading test engineering software, we are empowering our customers to optimize designs much earlier in the design cycle,” Incorvaia added in a statement. “This can dramatically reduce costs, accelerate time-to-market and helps to ensure the highest levels of product quality and reliability. It’s about giving our customers a complete, integrated solution that sets them up for success from the very first design concept through final production.”

Accelerating demand for automotive electronics requires robust testing solutions

Siemens said the acquisition comes at “a critical time” amid accelerating demand for automotive electronics and the increased integration of 5G technology in electronics systems. Both necessitate robust testing solutions to help to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance with stringent standards. A comprehensive test engineering strategy is paramount to intercepting defects, avoiding costly design re-spins, preventing product returns, and reducing field failures, Siemens noted. As a result, companies are increasingly seeking DFT functionality embedded within their PCB design solutions and an integrated workflow for PCB design.

“Joining forces with Siemens is an incredibly exciting next chapter for our team and our customers,” ASTER Founder and Ceo Christophe Lotz said in a statement. “We’ve always been passionate about helping engineers create flawless PCB designs through advanced test coverage analysis. Now, as part of Siemens, we have an unparalleled opportunity to integrate our expertise into a broader, industry-leading portfolio.”

“We’re thrilled to contribute to Siemens’ vision of a truly integrated digital thread for electronics design and manufacturing with just enough test,” Lotz added.

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