M2 DS5 Quasar, developed by the subsidiary ipTEST, is the smallest test generator for low inductance 2kA dynamic switch testing, suitable for devices resistant to high levels of radiation
The launch is at PCIM Expo & Conference in Nuremberg
Altopascio (LU), 8 May 2025 – The Microtest Group, Europe’s leading manufacturer of test systems and testing of chips on packages and silicon wafers, introduces a new standard in microelectronics by presenting the M2 DS5 Quasar, the smallest 2kA low inductance dynamic switch test generator, for the test of all types of products on one platform. The tester allows the highest operational equipment efficiency and is ideal for high-volume semiconductor production.
The M2 DS5 Quasar is designed to test power chips, and the latest WBG (Wide-bandgap) devices made from Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN), materials commonly found in consumer power supplies, electric vehicles including trains and battery electric hybrid, industrial motors, HVAC systems and many other applications in the Green energy, Automotive, Power markets, as well as rad-hard (radiation-hardened) devices for Space and Defence.
Rad-hards are electronic components capable of withstanding high levels of radiation. They are essential in extreme environments such as space, nuclear power plants and defense systems, and are used in spacecraft power supply systems (EPS) for the deployment and operation of satellite platforms, where prolonged exposure to intense radiation can damage or impair the functioning of electronic equipment. To ensure quality and reliability during space missions, these devices must therefore undergo rigorous testing under extreme conditions.
The tester was developed by UK subsidiary ipTEST, which was acquired by the Group in 2024 within a deal led by Xenon Private Equity, and is being launched at the PCIM Expo & Conference in Nuremberg, Germany, the international event for power electronics, motion intelligence, renewable energy and energy management taking place from 6-8 May.
The M2 DS5 Quasar required ipTEST a year of development, which spends 25 per cent of its total budget on Research and Development (R&D), New Product Introduction (NPI) and Application Engineering.
The tester represents an evolution from the company’s previous models. It is eight times more efficient in overcurrent protection thanks to SocketSafeTM technology, with a typical response time of under 300ns. The parasitic inductance has also been reduced by 85% to 30nH.
Conor McCarthy, Managing Director of ipTEST, said: “We are delighted to present this innovative new product to the market, it is the result of a year of intense work and commitment in research and development. The new tester supports a wide range of products and is designed with maximum operational efficiency in mind, allowing us to consolidate our presence in highly strategic sectors such as space, whose importance is constantly growing.”
More information about the product is available at the following link: