Getting In Bed with Embedded Instrumentation

The need for new validation and testing solutions is currently being driven by the continually increasing complexity of printed circuit board (PCB) and chip technologies. Traditional instrumentation is becoming less effective and less efficient as the complicated nature of chips and boards intensifies. The concept of “embedded instrumentation” is emerging as the preeminent solution to these impending challenges. Embedded instrumentation is a concept of entrenching and enhancing the capabilities of traditional external test equipment as an additional resource on the chip and/or on dedicated instrumentation chips on a circuit board. Then software is used to run the instrument and collect data for analysis.

Potential “Beast” of a Burden for Life Science TM&S

Those TM&S companies that are exposed to the medical and life science sector may have to worry about the impact of the newly passed health care reform which was rolled out at the beginning of 2Q 2010. In theory, the new legislation will get more uninsured Americans into some type of insurance plan, hence providing cost reduction that could release the pressure on existing programs such as Medicaid. But the new legislation calls for $940 billion of spending needed to implement the initiative, some of which will be funded by medical device makers. Although the net implications are yet to be solidified, we highlight several developments which we expect will have a material impact on the industry.