Synergie Cad Group
A Key Partner For All Semiconductor Test Application

Before a semiconductor can change the world, it must pass the ultimate test—an evaluation of its performance, reliability, and efficiency. Yet, in an industry where cutting-edge technology evolves at breakneck speed, true reliability and deep expertise are often in short supply. That’s where Synergie Cad Group comes in. As a leading designer and manufacturer of semiconductor test interface solutions, the company remains committed to its mission: to be a total solutions provider for semiconductor test development across all aspects of its business.

Synergie Cad Group offers Test Interface Boards for automated test equipment (ATE), exploiting the full in-house capabilities for board design, printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication with leading edge technologies in its two sites in France and Vietnam, component assembly, and Wafer Probing Solutions in partnership with Nidec Advance Technology. The company also provides systems and applications for Reliability Test and Burn-In, covering the most challenging requirements in terms of device complexity and power consumption, in a wide spectrum from Automotive to HPC and AI applications. Additionally, Synergie Cad Group offers test development, industrialization and production services from its facility in Toulouse, which includes IC packaging design as part of its turnkey solutions. It specializes in complex and high-end designs, including RF, multiple-die configurations like SiP, and intricate substrates such as cavity designs.

The Synergie Cad Group Advantage

What makes Synergie Cad Group the preferred choice for those seeking reliability, efficiency, and cutting-edge innovation in semiconductor applications? Its deep expertise in semiconductor testing and reliability. But beyond technical excellence, its greatest asset is the strong relationships it has built with Tier 1 customers over the years.

The company’s engineers work closely with customers, gaining firsthand insights into emerging technologies, testing requirements, and real-world challenges. This proximity enables it to anticipate market needs rather than merely react to them.

The rapid evolution of semiconductor technology—where complex, integrated systems require balancing thermal, mechanical, and electrical considerations—demands a level of expertise beyond traditional PCB manufacturing. Unlike companies that simply supply PCBs or interface boards, Synergie Cad Group prioritizes application-driven solutions. By understanding how its products are used in the field, it delivers cost-effective, high-performance, and time-efficient solutions.

A Strategic Alliance for the Future

In the race to shape the future of semiconductors, the company has accelerated its growth through investment. As 2024 came to a close, Synergie Cad Group was acquired by Ardian Semiconductor. This collaboration brings together expertise, technology, and market access to drive innovation and global expansion.

“They bring a distinct set of financial, strategic, and operational capabilities that will be invaluable in helping us achieve our ambition to accelerate growth, expand geographically, and continue enhancing the value we deliver to our customers,” says Alain Librati, CEO and co-founder of Synergie Cad Group.

Ardian Semiconductor shares the enthusiasm for this collaboration.

“We have been impressed by Synergie Cad’s technical achievements, expertise, and outstanding reputation with customers worldwide. This partnership provides an ideal foundation for us to build upon, leveraging our experience in strategically pivoting and scaling companies,” says Christophe Duverne, from Ardian Semiconductor and recently appointed Chairman of the Board.

Strengthening the Product Portfolio

This partnership expands the company’s product portfolio. The company now expects delivery of a new power tester and other solutions that were previously absent from Synergie Cad Group’s offerings. These additions now complement its existing portfolio. Beyond current projects, the collaboration paves the way for future innovations and broader solutions. This strategic investment allows all partners to leverage their strengths, creating value beyond what any of them could achieve alone.

By combining diverse expertise and customer bases, Synergie Cad Group unlocks new opportunities. European customers, for example, have a strong presence in the automotive and medium-to-low power device markets, while its partners specialize in high-power devices, particularly in the U.S. and other global sectors. This exchange of knowledge strengthens the company’s market position and enables it to provide tailored solutions worldwide.

Another key benefit is the synergy between PCB and wafer probing technologies. Certain solutions, such as direct attach probe to PCB, become feasible only when these technologies converge. This partnership fosters deeper integration between teams, ensuring smooth coordination across different technological domains.

How Synergie Cad Group Got Its Name

Originally, two separate companies—Synergie, specializing in PCB manufacturing, and a French design centre Cad étude as supplier and customer. However, a chance meeting between their owners while visiting a mutual customer in France revealed how their expertise complemented each other perfectly. That meeting led to the formation of Synergie Cad, built on the principle of integration and synergy.

This philosophy has guided the company’s growth ever since.

Founded as a PCB design company in 1986, Synergie Cad strategically evolved by acquiring specialized entities aligned with its vision, strengthening its presence in the semiconductor sector.

No Room for Error

“The semiconductor industry operates in a world of rapid prototyping, where there’s no luxury for multiple iterations. Our mission is to deliver solutions seamlessly from concept to test flow,” says Roger Cagliesi, Managing Director at Synergie Cad Group. “That means that after receiving the device specifications, we must deliver first time right test solutions within the challenging timeslot from tape out to wafer production.”

To achieve this, Synergie Cad Group efficiently anticipates design requirements, executes flawlessly, and streamlines manufacturing and testing—leaving no room for error. There are no second chances; everything must be right the first time.

Managing a product’s lifecycle isn’t just about understanding specifications—it requires a deep understanding of how a product moves from engineering to manufacturing. Synergie Cad Group supports customers from the earliest stages, offering in house Test Development.

As projects transition into the engineering phase and initial samples undergo testing, the company provides load boards and test solutions. If issues arise, its deep expertise in load boards, testers, and problem-solving simulations enables it to diagnose and resolve them efficiently during design.

Its strength lies in leveraging well-established structures and models. The company relies heavily on simulation models, backed by an extensive database of successful projects. This foundation enables it to predict and address potential challenges with precision.

The final testing stage involves manual handling and high product volumes. To ensure smooth integration, Synergie Cad Group provides on-site engineering support, validating hardware before to ensure minimal debug.

Early-stage design requires meticulous simulation— especially in high-frequency applications—because even minor noise interference can distort performance measurements. Synergie Cad Group is tackling higher frequencies and extended project lead times as it develops solutions for AI and next-generation high-specification chips. With AI chips, high-speed technologies, and millimeter-wave advancements, precision is critical. That’s why Synergie Cad Group has invested in advanced simulation capabilities—because achieving a first-time-right approach without extensive modelling is nearly impossible.

Engineering the Impossible

One notable success story involves a client in the millimeter-wave sector who approached Synergie Cad Group a few years ago. At the time, no existing ATE solutions could meet their specific testing requirements. Recognizing the complexities involved, the company set out to develop a viable testing solution from scratch.

This project coincided with the rise of AI and the early adoption of 5G, making it both an exciting and challenging endeavour. Over two years, Synergie Cad worked closely with the client, iterating on designs, running extensive simulations, and refining hardware to ensure precision and efficiency. This wasn’t just about delivering a solution—it was about co-developing one that worked flawlessly the first time.

The result? A fully integrated, hardware-tested, and simulated solution that worked on the first attempt. The client was so satisfied with the outcome that they continued to purchase the original solution and expanded their orders to include additional units for similar millimeter-wave frequency applications. This proactive approach saved months of development time and positioned the client as a market leader in the emerging AI semiconductor space.

The Future of Semiconductor Innovation

Synergie Cad Group is no stranger to success stories like this. Its journey is a testament to the power of integration, expertise, and strategic partnerships. By continuously evolving alongside its customers and collaborating with industry leaders like Nidec, Synergie Cad Group is more than just a solutions provider—it is a true partner in semiconductor innovation.

As the industry pushes the boundaries of AI, 6G, and high-power applications, Synergie Cad Group stands ready to deliver the test and reliability solutions that will shape the future.