Shanghai Hua Hong NEC Adopts Anchor Semiconductor's NanoScopeTM Platform for Advanced Manufacturing

Anchor Semiconductor, a pioneer and technology leader in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) software products for layout-to-silicon pattern transfer processes, and Shanghai Hua Hong NEC Electronics Company, Ltd (Hua Hong NEC), a major IC foundry in China, today jointly announced the adoption of Anchor's market-leading NanoScopeTMplatform solutions in Hua Hong NEC's new sub-130nm node manufacturing flows.

With its unique pattern-centric architecture, the NanoScope platform presents a major technology performance breakthrough in speed and accuracy in the industry, using distributed computing on generic network computers. Hua Hong NEC evaluated NanoScope during the course of its 130nm node manufacturing process development. The main application areas included full chip post-RET/OPC verification and design related manufacturing defect characterization. NanoScope was also evaluated for design based pattern analysis and data management. Advanced lithography modeling within NanoScope platform provides full chip simulation capability to identify pattern failures with high accuracy. The pattern-centric technology demonstrated fast turnaround time for the release of database to mask shops and helped to shorten the yield learning curve for the 130nm process. With its strong business growth in advanced technology nodes, Hua Hong NEC has placed orders for multiple NanoScope licenses to meet its production needs.

"Through a competitive evaluation, we reached the conclusion that Anchor's software-based solution provides the best combination in accuracy, performance, cost of ownership, and ease of use. The new manufacturing challenges in Hua Hong NEC are quite unique with our push on low-k1lithography," said Dr. Shaoning Mei, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Hua Hong NEC. "The Anchor team has been very responsive in support to meet our demanding schedule and requirements, which allows us to quickly incorporate the NanoScope solution in our production flow as we ramp up to accommodate increasing customer designs for 130nm node. Moving forward, Hua Hong NEC will continue our partnership with Anchor in implementing solutions that will advance our capability and yields and aggressively enhance our competitiveness," continued Dr. Mei.

Dr. Chenmin Hu, the CEO of Anchor Semiconductor, commented, "Anchor was able to provide Hua Hong NEC with the best product and engineering support. We are very pleased to know that NanoScope solutions are selected by Hua Hong NEC. We value the partnership and will continue this mutually beneficial relationship. We again have proven that Anchor's platform-based software products meet a wide range of DFM applications and with the best financial return on investment for our customers."

About Hua Hong NEC

Hua Hong NEC is one of the world's leading pure-play foundries, providing value-added foundry services to worldwide customers. Based on its solid foundation in 0.35um to 0.13um process, the Company offers CMOS technologies for logic, mixed signal, RF, HV, eNVM, BCD and other processes for a wide range of applications such as smart card, communications, consumer electronics, computing and automotive. Hua Hong NEC provides first-class round-the-clock services, including design support, IP library, mask layout, wafer processing, functionality testing, reliability testing and failure analysis. Collaborating with its partners, Hua Hong NEC also provides mask manufacturing, packaging and testing services. To date, Hua Hong NEC has received various international certifications such as ISO9001 for quality system, ISO14001 for environmental protection, ISO27001 for information security, OHSAS18001 for occupational health safety, VEU authorization from the U.S. Commerce Department's BIS, and has passed the TS16949 compliance audit for quality management. Proven by such certifications, Hua Hong NEC ensures its customers of high product quality and information security. For more information on the company, please visithttp://www.hhnec.com.

About Anchor Semiconductor

Founded in late 2000 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Anchor Semiconductor, Inc. is a pioneer and technology leader in semiconductor DFM software products for understanding and optimizing layout-to-silicon pattern transfer. The NanoScope platform integrates comprehensive layout analysis and advanced technologies. Extended application areas include semiconductor design hotspot identification, special RET and OPC, post-OPC verification, photomask manufacturing, wafer level printing and hotspot analysis. Advanced lithography modeling enables pattern-centric imaging characterization down to 45 nm technology node. Using Anchor's tools, our customers have successfully shortened time-to-yield and time-to-profitability. Anchor's website is athttp://www.anchorsemi.com.

Note:NanoScopeis the trademark of Anchor Semiconductor, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.