Signatone
Signatone is a family-owned, California-based manufacturer of analytical probe stations and accessories for on-wafer semiconductor device characterization, serving research universities, national labs, and wide-bandgap power device labs across 40+ countries with factory-direct, built-to-order systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersGilroy, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Signatone does
Signatone is a US-based, family-owned manufacturer of analytical probe stations and precision measurement accessories for on-wafer semiconductor device characterization. Founded in 1965 (predecessor Signatron) and rebranded to Signatone in 1968, the company operates from a single facility in Gilroy, California, where it designs, engineers, and builds all products. The portfolio spans three main probe station lines: CheckMate (seven models for 150-300 mm wafers, covering DC/CV-IV, high-power, and RF to 110 GHz), WaveLink (nine models covering RF to 1.5 THz for mm-wave and THz measurement), and the S-1160 and H-150 manual stations for 150-200 mm and 5-100 mm samples respectively. Supporting product lines include micropositioners, RF probes, probe tips and holders, probing-grade microscopes, in-house thermal chucks with 0.1 °C control, and resistivity systems (Pro4, QuadPro2, ΩPro). The PowerPro solution extends the platform into high-power wafer-level SiC, GaN, and IGBT characterization up to 10 kV/600 A, targeting the wide-bandgap power device market.
Signatone's customer base spans research universities and academic labs, national laboratories, wide-bandgap power device labs, reliability engineers, thin-film and materials scientists, and solar/display labs across more than 40 countries. All products are built to order with 4-8 week standard lead times; sales are factory-direct from California with named regional representatives covering Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. The GTM motion is sales-led and engineer-to-engineer, with a quote form routing directly to a category-aware sales engineer. Pricing is opaque, quote-based, and configuration-specific; no public pricing exists. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of probe stations and accessories, supplemented by service and support (calibration, repair, parts, and upgrade paths) for legacy systems, some of which date back to the 1970s.
The company's competitive position rests on a deep in-house engineering bench, a modular and upgradeable chassis architecture that creates decades-long customer relationships, deep compatibility with the dominant instrument ecosystems (Keysight, Keithley, Tektronix, Anritsu, Rohde & Schwarz, Copper Mountain), and a differentiated high-power and THz measurement capability that competitors do not match. The business is intentionally small and family-owned, with 11-50 employees and no institutional capital, prioritizing durability, legacy support, and incremental product extension over aggressive scaling.
Signatone firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Signatone
- Legal name
- Signatone Corporation
- Website
- https://signatone.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Signatone is a family-owned, California-based manufacturer of analytical probe stations and accessories for on-wafer semiconductor device characterization, serving research universities, national labs, and wide-bandgap power device labs across 40+ countries with factory-direct, built-to-order systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Signatone industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Semiconductor Test Equipment
- NAICS
- Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)
- SIC
- Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Test, Probe & Burn-In Equipment (Wafer Sort/Final Test) (HDAHAEAJ)
Keywords
Where Signatone is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gilroy
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Signatone business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Analytical Probe Stations: High-precision manual and semi-automatic probe stations (CheckMate, WaveLink, S-1160, H-150 models) sold as complete systems with configurable options. Built to order, factory-direct.
- Accessories and Components: Micropositioners, microscopes, probe tips and holders, RF probes, resistivity systems, thermal chucks, dark boxes, probe card adapters, and specialty chucks sold separately or as part of system configurations.
- Service and Support: Calibration, repair, and parts for legacy systems. Upgrade paths for existing stations including thermal chuck additions, positioner swaps, and motorized stage upgrades.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Signatone product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Signatone manufactures analytical probe stations and precision measurement accessories for on-wafer semiconductor device characterization, supporting measurements from DC to 1.1 THz, ±1 fA to 10 kV/600 A, and temperatures from -65 °C to +400 °C on wafers from 5 mm to 300 mm. The product line spans the CheckMate, WaveLink, S-1160, and H-150 probe stations, supported by micropositioners, RF probes, probe tips and holders, microscopes, thermal chucks, and the Pro4/QuadPro2 four-point resistivity systems. The PowerPro solution extends the platform to high-power SiC, GaN, and IGBT device characterization. All systems are built to order in California and sold factory-direct.
Product overview
Signatone manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of analytical probe stations and precision measurement accessories for semiconductor device characterization. The core offering spans three main probe station lines: CheckMate (7 models, 150–300 mm, manual to semi-automatic for DC/CV-IV, high-power, and RF to 110 GHz), WaveLink (9 models, RF to 1.5 THz with local-enclosure variants for mmW/THz), and the S-1160 and H-150 manual stations for 150–200 mm and 5–100 mm samples respectively. These stations integrate with the company's supporting product lines — Micropositioners (9 models), RF Probes (SP-40A through SP-1100BT), Probe Tips & Holders (SE, HVP, SCA, TRX series), Microscopes (4 systems), and Accessories (PSDB dark box, probe card adapters). The Resistivity Systems line (Pro4, QuadPro2, ΩPro) provides dedicated four-point probing for sheet resistance, and the Thermal Chucks family (−60 to +300 °C, 0.1 °C resolution) adds integrated temperature control. The PowerPro solution extends the platform for high-power SiC/GaN/IGBT characterization up to 12 kV / 600 A. All products are engineered in California, built to order, and factory-direct.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CheckMate: Line of analytical probe stations for DC, CV/IV, high-power, and RF to 110 GHz in manual, motorized, and semi-automatic versions. Covers 150mm to 300mm wafers.
- WaveLink
- Pro4
- QuadPro2
- PowerPro
Products and services
- CheckMate Analytical Probe Stations High-precision analytical probe stations available in manual, motorized, and semi-automatic versions, supporting DC parametric, CV/IV, high-power, and RF testing on wafers from 150 mm to 300 mm. The CM series includes 7 models (CM-170, CM-210, CM-220, CM-250, CM-310, CM-350, CM-460) with three-point chuck planarization and micrometer theta rotation.
- WaveLink RF & mm-Wave Probe Stations Purpose-built probe stations for on-wafer RF, mm-wave, and THz measurement from RF to 1.5 THz. Available in 9 models including semi-automatic platforms with local enclosures for shielded measurement, supporting 2- and 4-port configurations up to 110 GHz and extender-based configurations from 110 GHz to 1.5 THz.
- S-1160 Manual Probe Station Industry-standard manual probe station for 150-200 mm wafers with 203 × 203 mm stage travel and sub-1 µm fine travel resolution. Available in A-style, B-style, and S-style microscope mount variants (S-1160A, S-1160B, S-1160S).
- H-150 Probe Station Economical bench-top probe station for DC and CV/IV analytical testing on 5 mm to 100 mm samples, with < 10 µm planarity specification.
- Resistivity Systems (Pro4 and QuadPro2) Four-point resistivity probing systems including the manual Pro4 (10 µΩ to 100 MΩ/sq under Keithley 2450/2600 control) and the automated QuadPro2 (10-300 mm samples, 5 to 14,000 test points, 2D/3D contour mapping, ASTM F84-99 dual-configuration testing with NIST-traceable calibration), plus the ΩPro resistance testing system and SP4/HT4 four-point probe heads.
- PowerPro High-Power Probing Solution High-power wafer-level probing solution for SiC, GaN, and IGBT power device characterization supporting up to 3 kV triax / 10 kV coax and 450 A pulsed / 10 A DC. Includes HVP-3-TX/CX high-voltage probes, HCP-100/450 Kelvin high-current probes, gold-plated chucks with zoned vacuum and VersaPath chuck switch, anti-arcing CDA probe card, and ISDB interlock safety discharge box.
Quantifiable outcome
- Operating envelope: DC to 1.1 THz frequency range
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Signatone
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Signatone technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
Feature5 records
Signatone partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.
- KeysightcoreSignatone probe stations are compatible with Keysight B1500 and B1505 parameter analyzers and VNAs. Keysight B1500A and B1505A are listed as compatible instruments for DC/CV-IV testing and high-power characterization.
- Keithley InstrumentscoreSignatone stations interface with Keithley parameter analyzers, SMUs (including 4200-SCS, 2400, 2450, 2600 series), and high-power SMUs (2657A). The Pro4 resistivity system runs under Keithley 2450/2600 control.
- TektronixcorePowerPro high-power systems are ready to integrate with Tektronix instrumentation for power device characterization.
- Eclipse TechnologiesregionalRegional representative covering OR, WA, ID, MT & British Columbia, Canada. Contact: Mr. Gregory Jones at Eclipse Technologies.
- Sel-Tek LimitedregionalRegional representative covering UK, Ireland, Norway, Russia, and Finland. Contact: Mr. Bobby Gray.
- bsw TestSystems & ConsultingregionalRegional representative covering Germany, Austria, and Northern Switzerland. Contact: Dr. Maximilian Tschernitz. Also covers Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands.
- MicroworldregionalRegional representative covering France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Southern Switzerland. Contact: Mrs. Marie Tresca.
- SE Technologies CorpregionalRegional representative covering China (Shanghai) and Taiwan (Hsinchu). Contact: Mr. Jason Wang.
- Crest GroupregionalRegional representative covering Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. Contact: Mr. Thomas Koh (Singapore), Mr. Wibool Samitthithien (Thailand), Mr. SW Yee (Malaysia).
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Signatone competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- FormFactor: FormFactor is the dominant player in on-wafer probe stations after acquiring Cascade Microtech. It competes directly with Signatone across DC parametric, RF/mm-wave, and high-power wafer-level characterization, but at materially larger scale and with broader product breadth including production-probe offerings.
- MPI Corporation: MPI Corporation is a Taiwan-based manufacturer of probe stations, thermal chucks, and wafer-level test solutions serving semiconductor R&D and production. Its product lines directly overlap with Signatone's CheckMate, WaveLink, and thermal chuck families, especially for power-device and RF characterization.
- SUSS MicroTec: SUSS MicroTec manufactures analytical probe stations, mask aligners, and wafer-bonding equipment for semiconductor and MEMS applications. Its probe-station portfolio targets similar university, national-lab, and power-device characterization customers as Signatone.
- Wentworth Laboratories: Wentworth Laboratories is a UK-based specialist in analytical probe stations for semiconductor wafer-level testing, historically strong in research labs. It is comparable to Signatone as a smaller specialist with a long operating history and similar target customer segments.
Broad incumbents
- Keysight Technologies: Keysight is a strategic partner of Signatone but also a broad incumbent in electronic test and measurement. It supplies parameter analyzers (B1500/B1505) that Signatone stations integrate with, and competes in adjacent characterization workbench capabilities for semiconductor R&D.
- Keithley Instruments (Tektronix): Keithley source measure units (4200-SCS, 2400/2450/2600 series, 2657A) are integral to Signatone probe stations for DC parametric, CV-IV, and high-power testing. Keithley is both a key integration partner and a broad incumbent in the same characterization ecosystem.
- Cascade Microtech (now FormFactor): Cascade Microtech pioneered RF/microwave on-wafer probing and is now part of FormFactor. Its legacy Summit and Infinity probe-station lines compete directly with Signatone's WaveLink family for RF/mm-wave characterization.
- Tokyo Electron (TEL): Tokyo Electron is a major semiconductor equipment manufacturer that offers probe stations and adjacent test solutions as part of a broader portfolio. It represents the broad-incumbent end of the market against Signatone's specialist positioning.
- Rohde & Schwarz: Rohde & Schwarz supplies VNAs and measurement instruments that integrate with Signatone probe stations, while also offering broader test-and-measurement solutions. It is an adjacent incumbent in the same semiconductor characterization workflow.
Emerging players
- OnScale / RFProbes (GGB Industries): GGB Industries is an emerging/niche player specializing in RF microwave probe tips and calibration substrates that Signatone distributes. Its product portfolio overlaps with Signatone's RF probes (SP-BT series) at the consumables/accessory level rather than full stations.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Signatone social profiles
Digital presenceSignatone financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Signatone leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Signatone funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Signatone M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Signatone
What does Signatone do?
Signatone manufactures analytical probe stations and precision measurement accessories for on-wafer semiconductor device characterization, supporting measurements from DC to 1.1 THz, ±1 fA to 10 kV/600 A, and temperatures from -65 °C to +400 °C on wafers from 5 mm to 300 mm. The product line spans the CheckMate, WaveLink, S-1160, and H-150 probe stations, supported by micropositioners, RF probes, probe tips and holders, microscopes, thermal chucks, and the Pro4/QuadPro2 four-point resistivity systems. The PowerPro solution extends the platform to high-power SiC, GaN, and IGBT device characterization. All systems are built to order in California and sold factory-direct.
Is Signatone a public or private company?
Signatone is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Signatone founded?
Signatone was founded in 1968. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Signatone based?
Signatone is headquartered in Gilroy, United States, in the North America region.
How does Signatone make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Analytical Probe Stations are the primary driver. The others are accessories and Components and service and Support.
Who are Signatone's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are FormFactor, MPI Corporation, SUSS MicroTec and Wentworth Laboratories. Broad incumbents are Keysight Technologies, Keithley Instruments (Tektronix), Cascade Microtech (now FormFactor), Tokyo Electron (TEL) and Rohde & Schwarz. OnScale / RFProbes (GGB Industries) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Signatone have an API?
No public API is recorded for Signatone.
What industry is Signatone in?
Signatone's product category is Semiconductor Test Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAEAJ, Test, Probe & Burn-In Equipment (Wafer Sort/Final Test). Its NAICS code is 333242 and its SIC code is 3825.