Impinj Delivers Logic Nonvolatile Memory in Tower Semiconductor's 0.13-Micron Process

-- Leading logic nonvolatile memory (NVM) intellectual property (IP) supplier, Impinj, Inc., and Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NasdaqGM:TSEM - News) (TASE: TSEM), an independent specialty foundry that delivers customized solutions in a variety of advanced CMOS technologies, today announced the availability of Impinj's AEON®/MTP Parallel Architecture NVM cores in Tower's 0.13-micron Logic process.

Embedded in system-chips that power high-volume electronics products such as digital storage devices, Impinj's AEON/MTP NVM cores store crucial on-chip information such as encryption keys, configuration data and calibration settings. AEON/MTP NVM cores are manufactured in standard logic CMOS processes and are available for license through Impinj's "Try it Now" six-month free evaluation program (www.impinj.com/tryitnow).

"The demand for NVM IP in standard processes is growing rapidly, and we are ramping to volume production of Impinj's AEON/MTP to meet that demand," said Dani Ashkenazi, general manager of Core CMOS product line at Tower Semiconductor. "We are very pleased to partner with Impinj in our advanced 0.13-micron technology, bringing AEON/MTP to the growing number of system-on-chip developers looking to incorporate advanced logic NVM solutions in their designs."

Ideal for portable applications, the certified AEON/MTP Parallel Architecture NVM IP consists of hard macro cores in 8-bit to 256-bit configurations with parallel data output enabling instant access to all data bits. Additional features include 10-year data retention, capability for up to 15,000 write/erase cycles and on-chip high-voltage circuitry for simplified in-field programming.

"We are very excited to align with Tower Semiconductor's embedded NVM initiatives and expand the manufacturing options for Impinj's AEON memory products," said Larry Morrell, vice president of IP products at Impinj. "As the number of system-chip designers embedding NVM grows, so does the demand for fully qualified CMOS manufacturing alternatives."

Embedded in more than 300 million chips, Impinj's AEON logic NVM cores enable high-growth electronics products and applications including RF microcontrollers, secure digital media and precision analog performance trimming from leading fabless semiconductor companies and integrated device manufacturers (IDMs).

The Impinj portfolio of NVM cores undergoes stringent and well-documented quality, performance and manufacturability testing, and is available at the world's leading foundries in volume production at 0.13-, 0.18- and 0.25-micron technology nodes.

About Impinj, Inc.

Impinj, Inc. is a semiconductor and RFID company whose patented Self-Adaptive Silicon® technology enables its two synergistic business lines: high-performance RFID products and semiconductor intellectual property (IP). A leading contributor to the RFID standards for high-volume supply-chain applications worldwide, Impinj leverages its technical expertise and industry partnerships to deliver the GrandPrix(TM) solution, comprising tags, readers, software and systems integration to offer RFID that just works(TM). Impinj's innovative IP products, core to the company's RFID tags, are licensed to leading semiconductor companies worldwide, allowing them to seamlessly integrate crucial nonvolatile memory (NVM) alongside analog and digital functionality on a single chip. Impinj's IP products include the popular AEON® family of embeddable cores, which provides rewriteable NVM technology in logic CMOS manufacturing. For more information, visit http://www.impinj.com.

About Tower Semiconductor Ltd.

Tower Semiconductor Ltd. is a pure-play independent specialty foundry established in 1993. The company manufactures integrated circuits with geometries ranging from 1.0 to 0.13-micron; it also provides complementary technical services and design support. In addition to digital CMOS process technology, Tower offers advanced non-volatile memory solutions, mixed-signal & RF-CMOS, and CMOS image-sensor technologies. To provide world-class customer service, the company maintains two manufacturing facilities: Fab 1 has process standard and specialized technologies from 1.0 to 0.35 micron and Fab 2 features standard and specialized technologies of 0.18, 0.16 and 0.13-micron. Tower's Web site is located at http://www.towersemi.com/.