ASIC Semiconductor Offering 0.35 Micron Standard Cell Library; High-speed, Low-voltage, Deep Submicron Library with Access to Multiple Fab Alliance of United Microelectronics Corporation.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 1996--ASIC Semiconductor, Inc., the first full-service ASIC vendor that will also license its libraries, is now offering a high-performance, low-voltage, 0.35 micron standard cell library for applications in computing, graphics and communications.

"This announcement effectively places ASIC Semiconductor in a small and select group of ASIC suppliers with 0.35 micron or lower geometry products," said K.C. Shih, president and CEO.

Called the FS8000, this new library offers 78ps gate delays at 3.3-volt operation and a power rating of only 0.48 microwatts/gate/MHz. It is available in single-poly, three and four-layer metallization. Mixed voltages of 2.5 and 3.3 volts are supported and 5.0-volt tolerant I/O buffers are also available.

Maximum useable gate available is 600,000 gates.

The library offers designers a wide range of design options and flexibility with more than 470 internal core macrocells and 330 I/0 functions.

A gate array family using the same deep submicron CMOS process will be available in Q1 1997.

Another benefit that should be of special interest to system vendors and fabless IC companies is a direct result of ASIC Semiconductor's business model. This charter stipulates that all libraries be optimized with all foundry units affiliated with or managed by UMC. Designs done using the FS8000 with one foundry are automatically multiple-sourced for use by all foundries without the need for retargetting.

In addition to the design and manufacturing options of a full- service ASIC house, the company will also act as an intellectual property manager through the licensing of its libraries to system and IC companies. If requested, ASIC Semiconductor will provide backend services such as test, assembly and manufacturing. The customer, however, does have the option of using any of UMC's fabs or a completely separate and independent foundry if so desired.

Design kits for the FS8000 are supported by commonly used design tools from Cadence, Viewlogic, Mentor Graphics, Veribest, SCS and Synopsys. Designers can capture and simulate designs up to pre-route simulations. Netlist and test vectors are then transferred to ASIC Semiconductor for placement and routing, and other back-end design and production services.

Packaging options include DIPs, PLCCs, QFPs, PGAs, and BGAs.

Non-recurring engineering charges start at $60,000 and are dependent on design, volume and other considerations.

ASIC Semiconductor International Corp., a privately held, California corporation founded in 1995, is dedicated to the design and manufacture of ASICs. The company was started by United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), Faraday Technology Corporation, K.C. Shih, H.P. Lin and other private investors. In January of 1996, ASIC Semiconductor acquired Pacific Semiconductor of San Jose, Calif.

CONTACT: ASIC Semiconductor, Inc.

Joseph Hong, 408/235-8888

[e-mail]

http://www.asicasic.com

or

Gelphman Associates

Rob Gelphman, 408/451-8420

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