Media please contact: 
Cheriese Chambers, Director, Public Relations
Universal Synaptics Corporation, (801) 731-8508 
Cheriese.Chambers@usynaptics.com 
Analyst/Investors, please contact:
Paul Sorensen, Director, Business Development
Universal Synaptics Corporation, (801) 731-8508  
Paul.Sorensen@usynaptics.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Universal Synaptics Corporation Announces the Ncompass-3000™

New Ncompass™ Testing Platform Spells Big Results for the Long Standing

Aging/No Fault Found/Intermittent Wiring and Circuit Interconnection Problem

 

Ogden, Utah, September 12, 2002 – Universal Synaptics Corporation, a pioneer in aging electronics research, today announced a new modular platform for testing aging/intermittent wiring and electronic circuit interconnections: The Ncompass-3000 Electronic Circuit Analyzer. Debuting this month at the Sixth Joint FAA/DOD/NASA Conference on Aging Aircraft (booth# 408) in San Francisco, and expected to ship in Q4, 2002. The Ncompass systems represent a new generation of comprehensive, enabling and synergistic testing technologies that together deliver industry leading versatility, portability and performance for increased test coverage and aircraft reliability.

In addition to the company’s own patented and highly acclaimed IFD (Intermittent Fault Detector), the Ncompass-3000 test system incorporates a variety of third-party, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), world-class technologies, to form a highly comprehensive testing platform. Precision, top-end DMM measurement instruments, from companies such as Fluke® or Keithley Instruments®, and TDR from CM Technologies® are included in the new testing concept, along with a universal testing adapter system that allows these instruments to connect to the aircraft wiring using existing adaptation. The new system can easily accommodate a wide range of other testing devices such as aircraft bus monitors, oscilloscopes, insulation testers and SWR, to meet any special requirements in a wire testing system. Data capture and AI based analysis programs for data trending and rapid diagnostics, are under development for this new system and are planned for release soon.

The Enabling Technology

"Universal Synaptics’ Ncompass test systems are an innovative and affordable approach to comprehensive wire/interconnect and aircraft troubleshooting," said Brent Sorensen, President and CEO of Universal Synaptics Corporation. "Our IFD’s ‘all-points-all-the-time’ neural technology, with its 3,000,000-to-1 technological advantage over point-to-point wire testing instruments, has for years enjoyed a monopoly you might say, on being able to efficiently test for age related failure modes or intermittency. Now with this additional capability we are able to test at both ends of the continuity failure spectrum with one testing instrument". He also noted that with this new system, the technician has the ability to identify problems associated with standard DC resistance as well as testing how the wiring and other components will react to an AC signal. Of course, in addition to finding that a wire has problems with opens or shorts and everything in-between, some of these new add-ons can tell you precisely where the actual problem is located along a wire.

 

Ncompass Highlights

IFD-2000

Intermittent Fault Detection monitors all connected lines, all-the-time, sensing for changes in connectivity. Drive(D) and Sensitivity(S) levels are programmable to allow adaptation to a variety of testing requirements. Anomalous events are noted by a raised column which "grows" in relation to the number of times the particular circuit has "gone" intermittent. A voice synthesizer also "calls out" the location of the intermittence using map file terminology. Wireless headphones enable a single operator to get far from the tester to apply external stimulus if needed. At the end of testing, formalized reports are generated.

Analyze is a proprietary, continuity-like test which looks at all connected lines and compares the results to a previously saved good, or "Gold" file. Any deviations from the gold are noted graphically with a raised column on the tested line, which is scaled for impedance variations. Gold files may be archived to monitor long-term aging/drift over time. At the end of testing, formalized reports are generated for proof of testing as well as archival/trending purposes.

Scope mode is used to characterize "slower-moving" intermittencies... the type that tend to drift slowly over longer time periods such as with weak/dirty contacts, switch bounce, etc. Measurements are graphically displayed and any deviations from the gold are tabulated and included in the testing report.

IFD-3000

Z-Sweep mode uses proprietary sweep stimuli to test/excite electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, filters, inductors, transformers, diodes, etc., similar to other frequency-type pattern diagnostic equipment. Measurements are graphically displayed and any deviations from the gold are tabulated and included in the testing report. Signature patterns may be archived to monitor long-term aging/drift over time.

Ncompass-3000

Price and Availability

The Ncompass-3000 will begin shipping in Q4 2002. IFD test systems are currently available. The basic IFD-2000 intermittence testing system is available at the U.S. suggested retail price of $49,000. The IFD-3000 is available at the U.S. suggested retail price of $75,000. The Ncompass-3000 test system starts at the U.S. suggested retail price of $75,000. Operating computer, additional testing modules, and third-party technologies are available at current market prices. IFD test systems are also available for rent and lease…Call for current pricing.

About Universal Synaptics

Universal Synaptics Corporation designs, manufactures and markets leading edge electronic test equipment and diagnostic software. The Company can be reached at (801)731-8508, or on the Web at: www.usynaptics.com

NOTE: The statements contained in this release regarding development, production and distribution of the IFD and Ncompass test systems, anticipated product pricing and availability, expected product performance and specifications, future applications for the new product and all other statements that are not purely historical, are forward-looking. All such forward-looking statements are based upon information available to Universal Synaptics as of the date hereof, and Universal Synaptics disclaims any intention or obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the successful completion of product development and testing, market acceptance of, and demand for, the IFD and Ncompass products, any difficulties encountered in ramping up production or other manufacturing issues, including component availability and pricing, co-development, production, and distribution issues, product pricing and conformity to specifications, dependence upon third party suppliers, competition, intellectual property rights and other risks and uncertainties identified in the published reports and documentation issued from time to time by Universal Synaptics.

Ncompass-3000 Testing Matrix
ncompass_testing_matrix.pdf

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Copyright© 2002 Universal Synaptics Corporation. All rights reserved. Universal Synaptics, IFD, IFD-2000, IFD-3000, Ncompass, Ncompass-3000, Autowriter, Dbrief, Fungus O/S, NERDS and Parralog, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Universal Synaptics Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Certain other product names, brand names, and company names may be trademarks or designations of their respective owners.