TSMC Taps SABER to Launch Foundry Industry's First IC Validation Alliance; SABER Silicon Debug and Repair Service Enables Swift Transition from First Silicon to Production

Business Wire, April 3, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2002

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has launched the foundry industry's first IC Validation Alliance, naming SABER(R) as the first alliance member. The IC Validation Alliance is the newest addition to TSMC's Design Services Alliance (DSA) Program. The IC Validation Alliance provides designers with efficient silicon debug and repair services to bridge the gap between the first silicon and the production-ready milestone for system on chip (SoC) devices.

Through SABER, TSMC customers can access an array of design analysis services that address the technical risks associated with first silicon. To debug devices, SABER experts use electron beam or laser voltage probe instruments that take waveform measurements directly from the IC and trace the root cause of failures. SABER engineers then repair the silicon using focused ion beam (FIB) tools. With these technologies, SABER can debug silicon in both wire-bond and flip-chip packaging. In addition, SABER will offer design-for-debug and design-for-repair seminars and consulting to TSMC customers. As a result, customers can minimize the impact of new mask expense, the delay associated with additional tape-out, and the business impact of delayed market entry.

TSMC's selection of SABER, a unit of a subsidiary of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB), is based on its ability and proven record in providing engineering outsourcing and professional project management services. A TSMC customer can use the IC Validation Service from SABER to directly analyze the electrical performance of a chip and its various IP blocks to ensure that the silicon performs to specification. Swift action at first silicon is critical to enabling complex SoC designs to meet time-to-market expectations.

"The goal of TSMC's Design Service Alliance is to provide customers with the support they need to ensure properly functioning SoCs and fast time-to-volume," said Dr. Genda Hu, vice president of marketing for TSMC. "That goal does not stop at the end of our manufacturing line. If a customer's first silicon does not meet intended specifications, our IC Validation Alliance is there to help determine the cause and fix the problem with minimal impact on the overall project schedule."

"The advantage of IC validation services from SABER is that the engineers can see actual waveform measurements taken directly from the device itself," stated Tom Ho, vice president and general manager, SABER. "This allows the engineers to trace the problem to the root cause of the failure, modify the silicon, and even verify the modified design before committing to expensive mask changes and a second tape-out. Furthermore, the on-chip measurements can provide useful feedback to improve device simulation."

"SABER is excited to team with TSMC in helping its customers save valuable time and money," added Ho. "Validation is a critical step in device development and a quick and economical way to keep devices on schedule."

About TSMC's Design Service Alliance

Introduced in March 2000, TSMC's Design Service Alliance (DSA) is the foundry industry's first service organization dedicated to helping designers deliver on the promise of system-on-chip (SoC) methodologies. The first four service areas making up the alliance include the IP Alliance, Library Alliance, EDA Alliance, and Design Center Alliance. The IC Validation Alliance extends the capabilities and value chain of the DSA to further accelerate time-to-volume.

About SABER

Part of a business unit of Schlumberger Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Schlumberger Limited, SABER is the pioneer consulting and engineering outsourcing firm, leveraging advanced technology and in-depth industry knowledge to provide mission critical services to the semiconductor industry. Offering round-the-clock, across-the-globe consultation and implementation, SABER multi-platform services, professional project management, engineering expertise, worldwide facilities and Internet-based interactive collaboration services enable customers throughout the world to improve time to market. Additional information can be found at www.slb.com/saber.> About TSMC

TSMC is the world's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry, providing the industry's leading process technology and the foundry industry's largest portfolio of process-proven library, IP, design tools and reference flows. The company has one advanced 300mm wafer fab in production and one under construction, in addition to five eight-inch fabs and one six-inch wafer fab. TSMC also has substantial capacity commitments at its wholly-owned subsidiary, WaferTech, and two joint ventures fabs (Vanguard and SSMC). TSMC's corporate headquarters are in Hsin-Chu, Taiwan. For more information about TSMC please go to http://www.tsmc.com.

Note to Editors: SABER is a registered trademark of Schlumberger.