Spirit: Behind the Screen

Zef Malik and Advancements in Testing (Part 2)

In Part 1, Marti and Zef talked about the DDR4 and the market's advancement toward the DDR5. But as memory and chips are making quantum leaps in innovation, the equipment used to screen and test these products also has to keep up. Zef dives into the challenge of staying current with rapidly evolving technology.

 

While buying the latest and greatest cutting-edge test equipment is important, Marti points out how important it is for a test engineer to have skill and experience. High-performance equipment needs a high-performance operator. Zef wraps up by explaining how a successful test program also uses a team approach by working with the design engineer to understand and accurately test a product.

 

If you want to keep up, you need the right tools for the job. Spirit is adding new testing equipment to offer more value-added services and deliver qualified parts ready for you to use. You can find out more about our test offerings at spiritelectronics.com.

 

Bio: Zef Malik is an industry veteran with more than 40 years of semiconductor experience. He was a founder of ICE/IQL Labs and Silicon Turnkey Solutions (STS). He remains a respected leader in the high reliability market. Zef is Spirit's VP of Strategic Business Development and also serves as the General Manager, Military Business Units, at iTest Inc.

Zef Malik and the DDR4: Can Your Product Perform?

When you have the 40 years of industry experience Zef brings to the table, the DDR4 conversation is a technical treasure trove where experience meets innovation. Commercial manufacturers are already pushing toward the DDR5, but with the military transition to DDR4, memory's performance in the field is essential.

 

In this episode, Zef talks with Marti about why memory speed needs to become faster and why it buys critical minutes in the military mission. Memory is the backbone of a board, and technology is always pushing toward faster communication.

 

In applications where multiple memory devices are used in tandem and you have one weak link fail, performance suffers to the speed of the slowest device. The mission could be compromised. The aerospace and defense market needs to test the DDR4 at high speeds, temperatures, and conditions to guarantee optimal performance in military applications. And it needs an expert understanding of the product to make that happen.

 

Manufacturers are already experts in their product, but contractors will need to provide product above and beyond the "can it run?" or "can it work?" rubber-stamp tests. Expert value-add service like Spirit's will pick up where the OEM leaves off and deliver a fully qualified part to primes building product with the DDR4.

 

Zef and Marti also discuss how testing in A&D needs to shift from individual parts to System Level Testing (SLT) to keep up with the millions of possible combinations a chip may see on a board.

 

As Marti concludes, qualification testing is the insurance policy for the mission.

 

Spirit is an authorized supplier for the leading manufacturer of the DDR4. You can contact our team at spiritelectronics.com to find out more.

 

Bio: Zef Malik is an industry veteran with more than 40 years of semiconductor experience. He was a founder of ICE/IQL Labs and Silicon Turnkey Solutions (STS). He remains a respected leader in the high-reliability market. Zef is Spirit's VP of Strategic Business Development and also serves as the General Manager, Military Business Units, at iTest Inc.

Marti McCurdy "Leader in Highlight" with Women in Electronics Radio

What should you do as a leader when your business is in a time of transition? Marti McCurdy sits down with Jackie Mattox of Women in Electronics Radio for an interview about how to double down and chase your goals. Whether during a company acquisition or the uncertain pandemic economy, Marti talks about why it’s important to invest in your team. Get to know Marti and what motivates her leading into the launch of her own podcast, Spirit: Behind the Screen.

Women in Electronics (WE) is a professional organization working to empower, develop, advocate, and celebrate women in the electronics industry. WE hosts an annual leadership conference and supports a mentorship program and member trainings with chapters across the globe. WE Radio “Leader in Highlight” series is hosted by founder Jackie Mattox to bring you insight from leaders across the industry.

Find out more about our podcast and leading electronics team at spiritelectronics.com.