Siemens acquires Aster Technologies

Siemens acquired Aster Technologies, a privately held printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) test verification and engineering software company. This move integrates Aster’s advanced "shift-left" design for test (DFT) functionality directly into Siemens' Xpedition software and Valor software, part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, establishing a portfolio for electronic systems design. The acquisition is designed to give Siemens customers an integrated digital thread from PCB design engineering to manufacturing.

Siemens believes the demand for automotive electronics and the integration of 5G technology in electronics systems are accelerating.

Founded in 1993 and based in Cesson-Sévigné, France, Aster has supplied software tools for verifying, assembling and testing PCB assemblies for more than 30 years. The company provides DFM physical design verification software solutions for PCB fabrication, assembly and test, alongside test coverage analysis and test programming capabilities. Its flagship product, TestWay, includes DFT planning and implementation to prepare designs and implement test strategies early in the PCB assembly manufacturing process. TestWay complements Siemens’ Valor design for fabrication and assembly capabilities.

“The addition of Aster Technologies is a game-changer for our customers in the PCB design and manufacturing space. By integrating Aster’s market-leading test engineering software, we are empowering our customers to optimize designs much earlier in the design cycle,” said AJ Incorvaia, senior vice president and general manager, electronic board systems at Siemens Digital Industries Software. “This can dramatically reduce costs, accelerate time-to-market and helps to ensure the highest levels of product quality and reliability. It's about giving our customers a complete, integrated solution that sets them up for success from the very first design concept through final production.”

Aster’s products are primarily used in computing/HPC, automotive and networking sectors, where developing test strategies is crucial. The acquisition allows Siemens to expand its DFM products for the global PCB market.

“Joining forces with Siemens is an incredibly exciting next chapter for our team and our customers. We've always been passionate about helping engineers create flawless PCB designs through advanced test coverage analysis,” said Christophe Lotz, founder and chief executive officer, Aster Technologies. “Now, as part of Siemens, we have an unparalleled opportunity to integrate our expertise into a broader, industry-leading portfolio. This means our innovative solutions can reach more customers, enabling them to achieve even greater efficiency, quality and competitive advantage. We are thrilled to contribute to Siemens' vision of a truly integrated digital thread for electronics design and manufacturing with just enough test.”