Siemens has announced the acquisition of ASTER Technologies, a leading provider of printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) test verification and engineering software.

The move integrates ASTER’s advanced “shift-left” design for test (DFT) capabilities directly into Siemens’ Xpedition and Valor software, part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, creating an end-to-end solution for electronic systems design.

The acquisition promises a fully integrated digital thread from PCB design to manufacturing, enabling earlier defect detection, reduced costs, faster time-to-market, and improved product quality and reliability.

The deal comes amid rising demand for automotive electronics and 5G integration, where robust testing solutions are critical for safety, reliability, and compliance with stringent industry standards. Effective test engineering is essential to prevent costly design re-spins, product returns, and field failures. Siemens said ASTER’s DFT capabilities meet the growing need for embedded test functionality within PCB design solutions.

“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 solutions are widely used in high-end computing, automotive, and networking designs, where efficient and cost-effective test strategies are critical. Siemens said the acquisition strengthens its differentiated DFM portfolio 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 CEO of 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.”