T.I.P.S. Messtechnik GmbH
Advancing Semiconductor Testing with Innovative Solutions

TIPS is a prominent player in the semiconductor manufacturing space with over 25 years of experience. Specializing in test for power semiconductors, MEMS and sensors, automotive ASICs and RADAR testing, it offers cutting-edge probe cards and test interfaces that connect microchips to automated test equipment (ATE) systems.

With its proprietary probe card technologies, TIPS stands at the forefront of enabling safe and efficient testing of high-voltage and high-current silicon carbide and gallium nitride devices. These advanced technologies are meticulously developed to overcome the challenges in power semiconductor testing, ensuring accurate and reliable results.

"We take immense pride in encouraging our customers to present us with their unique testing challenges. This commitment drives our R&D to explore and create customized solutions that meet evolving customer needs,” says Dr. Rainer Gaggl, founder and CTO of TIPS.

People committed to robust research and engineering excellence are at the heart of TIPS' success. Its in-house design team comprises mechanical engineers, PCB designers, and physicists who work collaboratively to create comprehensive and tailored probe card solutions. By consolidating its engineering and R&D strengths, TIPS offers turnkey solutions, providing swift and optimal answers to the diverse testing needs of customers while eliminating the need for multiple vendors.

A distinguishing factor for TIPS is the seamless integration of its engineering and production teams. It ensures greater control and efficiency by handling most production steps in-house, including micro-contact units fabrication, PCB assembly, mechanical assemblies, and testing. This vertical integration proves invaluable, especially during disruptive periods like the COVID-19 pandemic. While global supply chains were affected, its self-reliant methodology ensured that TIPS continued to serve its customers without major disruptions.

TIPS consistently meets customer demands by reducing reliance on global supply chains and establishing strategic partnerships with trusted suppliers for high-quality components, even in challenging times.

One remarkable customer success story involves a US-based company specializing in SiC power devices. Their journey with TIPS began many years ago when they encountered an arcing problem during wafer testing. Seeking a probe card solution, they contacted TIPS and initiated a partnership. They started with a few probe cards, but their demand grew substantially as their development progressed into high-volume production. Today, they have become the biggest SiC power device maker worldwide and TIPS' second-largest customer. This demonstrates the long-term collaboration and support it provides, from early R&D stages to facilitating full-scale mass production.

TIPS recognizes the importance of maintenance and repair services for its customers, many of whom lack in-house capabilities for probe card maintenance. It has devised a practical global maintenance strategy to address their needs. Customers initially receive sufficient probe cards to support their production testing. A maintenance agreement is then established, allowing them to send back probe cards requiring maintenance. TIPS ensures quick turnaround times by preparing replacement parts in advance, enabling efficient servicing of the probe cards. This cost-effective and reliable maintenance model has gained the trust and satisfaction of customers worldwide.

Besides serving customers in Europe and the U.S.A. TIPS is highly active in Japan, serving prominent producers and expanding into China. The biggest drivers for expansion of its customer base are SiC and GaN power devices used in electric cars, renewable energies and efficient computing applications. TIPS also specializes in probe cards for sensor devices, meeting the growing demand for sensors in mobile phones and IoT applications. These probe cards enable efficient testing at the wafer level that before has been mainly undertaken at the – much more costly – packaged device level.

While T.I.P.S. takes pride in its specialized portfolio of anti-arcing, high-voltage probe cards, it should be noted that it also designs and manufactures conventional probe cards at competitive pricing and lead times, an aspect sometimes overlooked by new customers who see it primarily as a specialized supplier. Here also TIPS offers “one-stop-shop” services including PCB design and assembly combined with state-of-the art wafer probes in either cost-efficient and robust cantilever technology or high-performance vertical probe heads.
An insightful meeting from a Munich fair underscores this: a long time customer for TIPS’ MEMS pressure sensor probe cards expressed his disenchantment with their existing supplier's long lead times and slow responses on fairly simple, “just electrical” probe cards. During this talk with the customer Gaggl said: “Well, we also do these probe cards, it is our daily bread and butter…” Having viewed the company as an expensive specialist provider, they were pleasantly surprised when informed about the availability of rather “standard” probe cards. The customer shared their design requirements, and T.I.P.S. furnished a quote in just two days. A purchase order was issued within a week. This engagement not only shifted the customer's perception but solidified a relationship that led to continued purchases of specialist MEMS probe cards and the more simple ones due to competitive pricing, speed, and reliability.

“We stand behind our product, work with the customer, and build confidence together,” says Gaggl.

With a focus on research and development, seamless team integration, streamlined maintenance services, and a proactive approach to addressing customer challenges, TIPS continues to drive the semiconductor industry forward with advanced probe card solutions.