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CHARTERED
DETAILS ROADMAP FOR 0.10-MICRON SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING
PROCESS
Foundry to provide early access to mixed-signal
module with new 0.10-micron product
SINGAPORE
and MILPITAS, Calif. - October 1, 2001 - Chartered Semiconductor
Manufacturing (Nasdaq: CHRT and SGX-ST: Chartered),
one of the world's top three silicon foundries, today
announced the delivery milestones for its 0.10-micron
semiconductor manufacturing process, which includes
an all-copper, low-k dielectric solution with the baseline
logic offering and an accelerated development schedule
for the advanced mixed-signal module. A rigorous qualification
process and pilot projects with partners are designed
to yield a robust product suite, earlier silicon validation,
and low-risk production. Chartered's 0.10-micron roadmap
targets the broad range of convergence applications
that require advanced logic processes as well as specialized
expertise in analog and mixed-signal technologies.
With the 0.10-micron roadmap, Chartered's expertise
in specialty applications enables the development of
analog and mixed-signal technologies in parallel with
the baseline logic processes. This concurrent development
strategy will provide Chartered customers with early
access to all of the elements needed to begin prototyping
both the mixed-signal and digital components of their
performance-driven systems on chip.
A pre-silicon release of the 0.10-micron design kit
and models is expected to be available in the first
quarter of 2002. The Chartered Expressä customer prototyping
program for 0.10 micron is scheduled to launch in the
second half of 2002, and pilot production expected in
the fourth quarter of 2002. Artisan Components, Inc.,
Avant! Corporation, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and
Virage Logic Corp. will be among the leading third-party
intellectual property (IP) and electronic design automation
(EDA) vendors that engage in 0.10-micron pilot projects
with Chartered.
"New and specialized applications are required in order
to leverage the vast opportunities of the convergence
evolution, and technologies such as RF and mixed signal
are increasingly important," said Joanne Itow, senior
analyst at Semico Research. "Chartered is a leader in
the technology race, and has made great strides with
efficient, cost-effective approaches to developing and
implementing advanced processes and manufacturing options.
These moves position Chartered to reap the rewards as
companies move their new convergence applications into
production."
Foundries Drive Technology Development
Chartered's president and CEO Barry Waite sees 0.10
micron as a turning point in the evolution of the foundry
business model, "Clearly, at this level of complexity,
foundries must do more than provide generic logic processes.
Foundries such as Chartered are driving the next generation
in chip manufacturing, while also investing in the specialized
technologies that will empower customers to capitalize
on the emerging opportunities of the growing convergence
in computer, communications, and consumer applications.
"Today's announcement is especially significant for
Chartered. It not only raises the bar on baseline logic
processes, it also defines how foundry products, complete
with specialized capabilities like mixed signal, must
be delivered to customers going forward," added Waite.
Chartered's senior executives will discuss 0.10-micron
product requirements and their impact on the foundry
business model during the Company's annual Technology
Forum, which will be held later this week in San Jose,
California, and in Taiwan and Japan in mid-October.
More information is available at www.charteredsemi.com.
0.10-micron Product Roadmap
Chartered's standard foundry 0.10-micron process achieves
a 25 to 30 percent linear shrink in layout rules and
a 40 percent reduction in overall chip real estate,
compared to the 0.13-micron technology node. Gate densities
for 0.10-micron layouts are expected to improve by factors
of 1.3 to 1.6 and 2.5 to 4.0 as compared to 0.13-micron
and 0.18-micron technologies, respectively. The 0.10-micron
product will feature Chartered's standard suite of reusable
process elements and multiple transistor configurations.
Transistor options include nominal, high performance,
low power, low leakage, and low voltage with input/output
operating voltages of 1.8, 2.5, or 3.3 volts. Core transistor
operating voltages include 0.9, 0.10 or 1.2 volts.
"As the leading provider of analog/mixed-signal EDA
tools, we applaud Chartered's comprehensive approach
to developing and delivering its 0.10 micron process.
Robust support of leading EDA tools like Cadence Analog
Design Environment - as well as leading IP cores and
libraries - is critical," said Lavi Lev, senior vice
president and general manager, IC Solutions Business
at Cadence. "Like Chartered, we see digital-analog convergence
as a major industry trend, and we look forward to continuing
to work together to address the challenges it presents."
Chartered is deploying a development strategy that starts
with early adopter access to the complete 0.10-micron
baseline product, including both digital and mixed-signal
technologies, and it features the 0.10-micron product
design kit, silicon-proven libraries and EDA tool flows,
and support for multiple IP platforms. In addition to
mixed signal, Chartered's plug-in modules for embedded
memory and RF CMOS applications are also standard offerings
with the 0.10-micron product platform. Chartered's development
team is collaborating with Agere Systems on the advanced
modules for 0.10 micron as part of the joint development
agreement between the two companies.
Quote Sheet
About Chartered
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing is one of the
world's top three silicon foundries. The Company's business
model is distinguished by its strategy to build trusted
long-term relationships, where manufacturing is part
of a larger customer-service focus that includes joint
development and implementation of new process technologies
supporting novel applications within the broad communications
market. Chartered operates five semiconductor fabrication
facilities in Singapore and has a sixth fab in the process
of being developed as a 300mm facility.
A Company with both global presence and perspective,
Chartered is traded on both the Nasdaq Stock Market
in the United States (Nasdaq: CHRT) and on the Singapore
Exchange Securities Trading Limited in Singapore (SGX-ST:
CHARTERED). The Company reported 2000 revenues of more
than US$1.1 billion. Chartered's 4,300 employees are
based at 11 locations around the world. Information
about Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing can be found
at www.charteredsemi.com
Chartered Safe Harbor Statement under the provisions
of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995
This news release contains forward-looking statements,
as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements, including without limitation,
statements relating to development, qualification and
production milestones for our 0.10-micron technology
roadmap, performance targets for the above technology,
our collaboration with selected technology, IP and EDA
vendors in connection with the development of the above
technology and the anticipated results thereof, outlook
for developments in the semiconductor industry and in
particular, the growing convergence of computer, communications
and consumer applications, and the appropriateness of
our business model and strategy including our views
on the role of foundries in driving the next generation
in chip manufacturing and our investments in the development
of specialized technologies at 0.10-micron, reflect
our current views with respect to future events, and
are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which
could cause actual results to differ materially from
historical results or those anticipated. Among the factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially
are: the difficulties, interruptions or unforeseen delays
in the implementation of our collaborative efforts,
anticipated progress, development, qualification and
production plans, the introduction of new competing
technologies, changes in market outlook and customer
demand specifically in the foundry services segment,
or a sustained slowdown in the worldwide semiconductor
industry. Although we believe the expectations reflected
in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable
assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations
will be attained. In addition to the foregoing factors,
a description of certain other risks and uncertainties
which could cause actual results to differ materially
can be found in the section captioned "Risk Factors"
in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which are based on the current view of management
on future events. We undertake no obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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