Kilopass Embedded Non-Volatile Memory IP Selected For SMIC 55nm CMOS Logic Processes

55nm Node Expands Kilopass Memory Products on SMIC Logic CMOS Processes

Santa Clara, Calif. –– June 28, 2011 –– Kilopass Technology Inc., the leading provider of semiconductor logic non-volatile memory (NVM) intellectual property (IP), and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (“SMIC”; NYSE: SMI and SEHK: 981.HK), a leading global foundry, today announced the next phase of their embedded NVM IP partnership. Kilopass is expanding its one-time programmable (OTP) NVM product offering to SMIC’s 55 nanometer (nm) logic CMOS process. Kilopass has already successfully taped out in SMIC’s 65nm process. 

In partnership since 2005, Kilopass and SMIC began with the development of Kilopass OTP NVM on SMIC’s 180nm and proceeded on with SMIC’s 130nm and 90nm logic CMOS processes.  The collaboration expanded to include 65nm and now continues with the addition of the 55nm node. 

SMIC customers with applications requiring embedded NVM for storing mixed signal trim data, boot code, and security key for multimedia processors, MCUs, and RFID ICs, have benefitted from having Kilopass’ secure, embedded, OTP, NVM solution for their system on chip (SoC) designs.

“We are thrilled that SMIC has expanded our partnership commitment to include Kilopass OTP NVM IP on its 55nm process node,” said Kilopass President and CEO, Charlie Cheng. “For SoC designs in competitive, high-volume consumer applications moving a design from 65nm to 55nm provides a 20 percent reduction in silicon area and cost without the expense of a new mask set.  This savings provides an effective means of maintaining profit margins as shipment volumes and competitive pressure rise.”

"We are excited to be expanding our partnership with Kilopass on our advanced 55nm LL process technology," said Chris Chi, senior vice president and chief business officer of SMIC. "SMIC takes pride in its ability to deliver to customers cutting-edge 55nm technology process and IP solutions. Kilopass success taping out their OTP NVM IP on our 65nm logic CMOS process nodes validates SMIC's leadership position as an advanced technology provider, and demonstrates SMIC's commitment to bringing our customers world-class solutions with the highest reliability, stability and cost-effectiveness."

About Kilopass 2T Antifuse Technology

Built using standard CMOS logic, without changes to masks, manufacturing steps, or equipment used, Kilopass’ patented 2T antifuse technology has been integrated in over two-billion integrated circuits (ICs) to provide an OTP NVM solution for SoC applications demanding embedded memory.  Scaling from 180nm to 28nm, Kilopass’ 2T antifuse technology achieves a 20X reduction in cell size, making it very compact in large SoC designs. Kilopass 2T antifuse technology has also been qualified through a stringent high temperature operating life (HTOL) and high temperature storage life (HTSL) standard in process nodes including 40nm. 

Kilopass OTP NVM memory IP is now available at SMIC in 180nm, 130nm, 90nm, 65nm and 55nm processes. For more details, please contact sales@kilopass.com.

About SMIC

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation ("SMIC"; NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 981) is one of the leading semiconductor foundries in the world and the largest and most advanced foundry in Mainland China, providing integrated circuit (IC) foundry and technology services at 0.35-micron to 45/40-nanometer. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, SMIC has a 300mm wafer fabrication facility (fab) and three 200mm wafer fabs in its Shanghai mega-fab, two 300mm wafer fabs in its Beijing mega-fab, a 200mm wafer fab in Tianjin, a 200mm fab under construction in Shenzhen, and an in-house assembly and testing facility in Chengdu. SMIC also has customer service and marketing offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, and a representative office in Hong Kong. In addition, SMIC manages and operates a 300mm wafer fab in Wuhan owned by Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation.

About Kilopass

Kilopass Technology, Inc., a leading supplier of embedded NVM intellectual property, leverages standard logic CMOS processes to deliver one-time programmable (OTP) and many-time programmable (MTP) memory. With 58 patents granted or pending and more than 800,000 wafers shipped from a dozen foundries and Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDM), Kilopass has more than 100 customers in applications ranging from storage of firmware and security codes to calibration data and other application-critical information.  The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif.  For more information, visit www.kilopass.com or email info@kilopass.com.