SURVEY INDICATES TEST AND MEASUREMENT REQUIREMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN
NEAR FUTURE

(Note - a copy of the report text is included at the end of this article
with the graphical charts omitted)

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- December 28, 1992 -- A survey conducted recently by the
Test Instrumentation Group, Keithley Instruments, Inc. indicates that
users of test and measurement equipment anticipate a need for
significantly greater performance from their systems two years from now
than they require today. The anonymous survey queried research,
semiconductor and industrial electronic engineers in the U.S. and Canada
on how the field of test and measurement is likely to change over the next
few years and the measurement needs engineers expect will be most
pressing.

One conclusion drawn from the results of the survey is that, as a whole,
engineers expect a "performance migration" during the near future, with
test systems that will provide greater measurement performance than those
of today. For example, while a full 35% of today's test system involve
fewer than 10 test points, that number drops to 21% when engineers were
asked to envision their test system needs two years from now. The high end
of the spectrum doubled in anticipated demand -- test systems involving
more than 500 points represent no more than 6% of current test systems,
while the number of 500+-test point systems needed in two years is
estimated at 14%.

This trend toward higher performance also held true when engineers were
asked about their future speed requirements. The demand for measurement
speeds greater than 1000 readings per second jumped from 7% today to an
anticipated 18% two years from now. Engineers also anticipate they'll
require greater voltage and current sensitivity. Forty percent of the
survey's respondents indicated they'll need microvolt measurement
sensitivity, compared to just 24% today. Thirty-seven percent indicate
they'll require 100pA sensitivity or greater in two years, versus just 25%
who need that level of precision today.

The survey included questions on the most likely test and measurement
hardware platforms of the future. While only a third (34%) use
IEEE-488-based instruments today, that percentage is anticipated to rise
to nearly half (46%) over the next few years. Full rack ATE systems are
expected to grow slightly. Platforms expected to decline in popularity
include benchtop manual instruments (34% to 22%) and plug-in PC-based
instruments on a card (31% to 25%). The majority of respondents (64%) are
using PCs or compatibles for test and measurement tasks, while Unix-based
workstations and HP controllers were each used by 11% of the respondents.
Another 9% are using Macintosh-based test and measurement systems. Forty
percent rely on a 386- or 486-based processor, followed by 14% using
286-based processors. The Microsoft Windows programming environment is
popular among test and measurement users, with 42% indicating they use
Windows currently, and another 20% planning to do so in the future.

When asked to rank the importance of various factors considered when
purchasing test equipment, the dominant factor is the product's ability to
meet the requirements of the application. "Ease-of-use," "company
reputation," "price," "past experience with the supplier," "warranty," and
"delivery" followed in order of importance.

Close to half (44%) the surveys respondents indicated they spend less than
$25,000 per year on test equipment purchases, excluding the costs of
personal computers and printers. Forty-one percent expect their test and
measurement equipment budgets to remain roughly the same for 1993 as 1992,
while 35% predict budget increases and 24% forecast a decrease in budget
size.

Keithley Instruments, Inc. is a leading single source of advanced hardware
and software for test and measurement instrumentation and data acquisition
and control applications of scientists and engineers worldwide. Its
products and systems are found throughout the world in universities,
industrial research laboratories, engineering development departments,
quality control areas, and on production lines.

For more information on Keithley's test and measurement trends survey, call
216-248-0400 or 800-552-1115 or write to Keithley Instruments, 28775
Aurora Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44139.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Test and Measurement Trends 
A Report from the Field

(NOTE: graphical charts not included)

How is test and measurement likely to change during the next few years? And
what measurement needs do engineers expect will be most pressing on their
short list of requirements?

Keithley Instruments conducted an anonymous survey to answer these and
other questions about the way people use test and measurement equipment,
and how they expect they'll use this equipment in the future. The 134
survey respondents covered research, semiconductor and industrial
electronic engineers in the U.S. and Canada.

Performance Migration

One conclusion that can be drawn from the responses is that engineers
expect a "performance migration" during the near future, with test systems
that will require greater measurement performance than systems currently
in use.

For instance, while a full 35% of today's test systems requires fewer than
10 test points, that number drops to 21% when engineers were asked to
envision their test system needs in the next two years. The high end of
the spectrum doubled in anticipated demand; test systems requiring more
than 500 points represented no more than 6% of current test systems, while
500-test point systems needed in two years are estimated at 14%.

A similar phenomenon can be observed when engineers were asked about speed
requirements, as expressed in readings/second. While today's test systems
require speed readings of no more than 10/second for 40% of responding
engineers, that figure drops to half, 20%, for future speed needs. The
demand for high speed measurements greater than 1000/second jumped from 7%
today to an anticipated 18% two years from now.

The pattern continues for both voltage and current sensitivity
requirements. Forty percent indicate they'll need microvolt measurement
sensitivity, up from the 24% who need that sensitivity today. And, 37%
indicate a two-year need for 1pA sensitivity or less, compared to just 25%
who need that level of precision today.

Platforms of the Future?

Engineers also had formed opinions about their platforms of choice during
the coming years, and the tools they would use to support those
measurement platforms.

While only a third today used IEEE-488 based instruments (34%), that is
expected to jump to almost half --46%-- in the next two years. Full rack
ATE systems also showed a slight increase in anticipated use, from 22% in
place today to 24% expected in two years. Those platforms that are
expected to decline in usage include benchtop manual instruments, which
showed the biggest decline from 34% today to 22% in two years, and plug-in
PC-based instruments on a card, 31% today dropping to 25% in two years.

When asked what computer they used specifically for test and measurement
tasks, the majority of respondents are using PC or compatible platforms,
at 64%. UNIX-based workstations and HP controllers each drew 11%
responses, followed by a 9% response for Macintosh-based test and
measurement systems.

Forty percent rely on a 386/486-level processor, followed by 14% still at a
286 processor level.

The Microsoft Windows programming environment appears to be popular, with
42% saying they currently use Windows, and another 20% indicating plans to
in the future. Forty-two percent said they had no plans to move to
Windows, citing a familiarity with either Macintosh or HP ontrollers,
incompatibility with current programs, slowness, or memory collisions with
existing installed software.

Why Do They Buy?

What type of test instruments are these engineers buying, and how much are
they spending? When asked to rank the importance of various factors they
consider when purchasing test equipment (on a scale from 1-5, with 5 being
of most importance), the dominating factor is the ability of the product
to meet needed specifications, at 4.58 out of 5.0. Ease of use followed
with 4.22, and company reputation drew a 4.00 average. Price was number
four on the list of seven factors at 3.98.

The largest portion indicated they spend less than $25,000 a year on test
equipment purchases, at 44%.

Forty-one percent said they expect their T&M equipment budgets to remain
the same during 1993, with 35% predicting an increase in that budget and
24% forecasting a decrease.

Demographic Information

The survey was mailed anonymously to 1500 test and measurement users
equally divided among research, semiconductor, and electronics
manufacturing applications. It was mailed during October 1992 and drew 134
responses for a 9% response rate.

What is your principal job function?

Design/development engineer          ..37% 
R & D/scientific         ..............31
Manufacturing/production/evaluation ... 8
Production test       .................10 
Calibration standards       ............4 
Corporate/general management        ....1 
Design test        .....................4 
Field service         ..................1
Other   ................................4

What is the primary product/service at your location?

Semiconductor/IC manufacturing.........15 
Communications .........................2
Undersea/aircraft/missile/space and 
 underground support equip.............13 
Industrial controls ....................2 
Navigation and guidance equipment ......3 
School or university ..................19 
Medical electronics ....................1 
Test/measurement instrumentation .......4 
Computers and peripherals ..............5 
Government agency or military .........10 
Independent research/test lab ..........3 
Consumer electronics ...................4 
Automotive and nonmilitary transport ...2
Nuclear.................................1 
Other .................................15

Test Instrumentation Group, Keithley Instruments, Inc.
28775 Aurora Rd, Cleveland, Ohio 44139
(216) 248 0400;  Fax: (216) 248-6168 

  +---------------------------------------------------------------+
  |   From the America Online - New Product Information Services  |
  +===============================================================+
  | This information was processed from data provided by the      |
  | above mentioned company. For additional details, contact the  |
  | company at the address or telephone number indicated above.   |
  |    All submissions for this service should be addressed to    |
  |   BAKER ENTERPRISES, 20 Ferro Drive, Sewell, NJ 08080 U.S.A.  |
  +---------------------------------------------------------------+
