CHARTERED GOES LIVE WITH OPEN VCX CONNECTION
Joint Third-Party IP Initiative Launches Expanded Web Portal;
Next Targets System-Level IP
SINGAPORE and LIVINGSTON, Scotland - June 16, 2003 - Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing
(Nasdaq: CHRT and SGX-ST: Chartered), one of the world's top three dedicated semiconductor foundries, and the
Virtual Component Exchange (VCX) today announced the second phase of the Chartered-VCX Foundry IP Program. The
latest rollout features an enhanced Web portal enabling chip designers to quickly find third-party intellectual
property (IP) building blocks that have been qualified for Chartered's semiconductor manufacturing processes.
Citing success with the program's initial focus on analog/mixed-signal (AMS) foundation IP, Chartered and VCX
will also expand their joint initiative to include digital system components. These efforts are aimed at
ensuring greater probability of first-time silicon success for Chartered customers using VCX-member IP in
their system-on-chip (SoC) designs.
"We are very pleased with the results of the Chartered-VCX Foundry IP program," said Andy Travers, CEO of
the VCX. "Chartered's commitment has generated a large arsenal of analog and mixed-signal IP available for
their semiconductor processes, and opened the channel for our IP vendors. We believe this further validates
the value of the VCX exchange software technology, and proves it as an ideal basis for third-party IP listing,
sales and procurement systems. We look forward to taking the program to new levels with Chartered to create even
more efficiencies throughout the entire supply chain."
Chartered-VCX Portal Opens IP Access
The open VCX portal on Chartered's Web site allows chip designers to easily identify, evaluate and select
third-party IP that meets their design requirements for the targeted Chartered manufacturing processes. An
advanced search capability is accessible to all VCX users and Chartered customers for queries based on process
geometry, IP vendor and IP type. Results are displayed in optimized tabular listings that also indicate the
current level of validation on Chartered's processes for each IP block, referenced as either available upon
request, pre-silicon (design to silicon test), silicon validated or in production. The Chartered-VCX portal
is located at http://www.charteredsemi.com/design/ip_access_program.asp.
The Chartered-VCX IP program sets up requirements to monitor IP quality standards. During pre-silicon stages,
design characterization and test plans are reviewed with the expectation that early access deliverables (design
libraries and models, layout files, datasheets, application notes) will be available upon tapeout. For IP that
goes through the VCX-Chartered Expressä silicon-hardening program, design practices and design qualification data
are tracked. Silicon validation reports are reviewed and datasheets updated to reflect actual silicon results.
Customers are encouraged to request the relevant IP data through the VCX utility or directly from the third-party
IP providers.
Expands Focus to System-level IP
Chartered and VCX will take "open IP access" to the platform level with a focus on the core digital system blocks
required by most computing, communications and consumer electronics applications. Through priority access to the
Chartered Express prototyping program, VCX-member IP providers can prove in silicon their implementations of system
functions such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, 802.11 components, as well as other application-specific
technology platforms.
"We've made great progress in support of chip-level design, but it doesn't stop here," said Kevin Meyer, vice
president of worldwide marketing and services at Chartered. "Consider the demands for more functionality and
higher system performance placed on designers today. Add to this the risk and manufacturing costs of not 'getting
it right the first time' when implementing chips in leading-edge technologies, and it's clear that our customers
can no longer do it all alone."
"Access to more third-party IP, especially system-level blocks, is a critical part of the infrastructure needed by
designers to bring next-generation, ubiquitous devices to market faster. We're addressing this challenge for our
customers on multiple fronts, including Chartered's ongoing effort to productize industry-baseline manufacturing
solutions and our work with the VCX to expand access to pre-qualified system building blocks and platforms," Meyer
added.
Achieves One-Year Milestones
During the year since its launch in February 2002, the Chartered-VCX Foundry IP Program rapidly expanded open access
to high-quality AMS foundation IP and formed a strategic network of third-party suppliers. Among the program
participants are: the Catena group, represented by Catena Wireless Electronics AB; ChipIdea Microelectronics;
Fujitsu Digital Technology Ltd.; LEDA Systems; Pultronics Inc.; SMSC Analog Technology Center, Inc., a subsidiary of
Standard Microsystems Corporation; Ulead Technology and Unive Inc.
The AMS foundation IP initially targeted for silicon hardening are standard building blocks that can be used across
multiple application domains, such as phase-locked loops, analog/digital converters, bandgaps, voltage regulators,
comparators, high-speed I/O USB and LVDS interfaces, etc. The portfolio now includes more than 70 foundation
components in various phases of silicon validation for multiple process nodes, ranging from mature 0.35-micron to
advanced 0.13-micron technologies.
About The VCX
The Virtual Component Exchange is a unique Business-to-Business (B2B) software and E-commerce organization focused
on producing Internet tools for trading Intellectual Property. It delivered the first regulated IP exchange server
technology for trading Semiconductor Intellectual Property (SIP): the VCX TradeFloor. The VCX TradeFloor tools link
the Engineering, Procurement and Legal functions of both Buyers and Sellers with a common toolset and language.
Alignment of data evaluation, access and contracting protocols between Buyers and Sellers, using industry standards,
dramatically accelerates the speed of SIP transactions, fulfilling the common business imperative of getting more
products to market in shorter time cycles. Distributed Internet access to the VCX TradeFloor is provided through the
VCX Gateway - distributing VC data and transaction agents to the web-based market, extending the reach and value for
Buyers and Sellers alike. To find out more about the VCX TradeFloor, or to access the VCX market channel, visit the
web site at www.thevcx.com.
About Chartered
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, one of the world's top three dedicated semiconductor foundries, is forging a
customized approach to outsourced semiconductor manufacturing by building lasting and collaborative partnerships
with its customers. The Company provides flexible and cost-effective manufacturing solutions for customers, enabling
the convergence of communications, computing and consumer markets. In Singapore, Chartered operates five fabrication
facilities and has a sixth fab, which will be developed as a 300mm facility.
A company with both global presence and perspective, Chartered is traded on both the Nasdaq Stock Market
(Nasdaq: CHRT) and on the Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST: CHARTERED). Chartered's 3,500 employees are based at
11 locations around the world. Information about Chartered can be found at www.charteredsemi.com.
Chartered Safe Harbour Statement under the provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This news release may contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, reflect Chartered's 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:
customer demands; changes in market outlook and trends; the difficulties, interruptions or unforseen delays in the progress
and implementation of our collaborative efforts with VCX and VCX members; the performance level of and technology mix in our
fabrication facilities and competition. 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.
Additional Partner Information 
