Large size, high layer count, highly reliable and robust
ATE PCBs can usually be identified as relatively large format circular PCBs which tend to be quite thick due to their high layer count. They are required to verify functionality and correct operation of expensive, newly developed semiconductor chips on first release from the manufacturer including Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), System on a Chip (SoC) and others.
Aside from its obvious use in the semiconductor industry, ATE is extensively used in avionics, automotive and military sectors.