Avago Technologies Extends Alliance with TSMC; Company's Next-Generation EP-based CMOS Image Sensors to Use TSMC's CIS Process Technology.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Avago Technologies today announced that it has extended its agreement with TSMC to include the next two generations of its enhanced-performance (EP) image sensor products. Avago's 1.3-megapixel and newly introduced 2-megapixel sensors are already manufactured by TSMC and exhibit superior image quality and excellent uniformity. Avago Technologies will continue to work with TSMC to produce industry-leading multi-megapixel imaging products for the camera phone, computing, industrial and security market.

Avago's TSMC-built image sensors feature the company's superior EP pixel architecture, which allows mobile phones and computing devices to take sharper, truer color photos in all lighting conditions. Avago's EP-based image sensors achieve an unprecedented 10X reduction in noise, eliminating the CMOS-CCD image-quality gap. 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.

"With increased competition and fast changing customer demands within the camera phone market, close relationships between sensor module designers and their fabricators are key," said Chris Crotty, analyst at iSuppli. "This deepened alliance between Avago and TSMC allows each party to focus on their respective core competencies, resulting in delivery of higher quality sensors in a shorter time frame."

"This agreement with TSMC extends both companies' commitment to the CMOS image sensor market," said Todd Metcalf, vice president of Avago's Mobile Imaging Business. "Combining our innovative EP and image pipe intellectual property with TSMC's process will enable us to continue delivering leading edge products and faster time-to-market advantages to our customers."

Avago's Mobile Appliance Solutions

Avago Technologies is a leading supplier of semiconductor solutions for today's highly integrated, feature-rich mobile handsets. In addition to CMOS image sensors that enable camera phones and notebook/mobile cams, Avago provides FBAR filters and E-pHEMT and CoolPAM power amplifiers that save battery life and help shrink handset size, infrared transceivers for transmitting data, surface-mount LEDs that provide backlighting styling options, proximity sensors that automate the speakerphone, and ambient-light photo sensors that save battery life by controlling backlighting. No other component vendor offers all of these solutions for mobile appliances. More information about Avago's family of mobile appliance semiconductor solutions is available at www.avagotech.com/mobile.

Further information about Avago's CMOS image sensors is available at www.avagotech.com/imaging.

About Avago Technologies

Avago Technologies is the world's largest privately held semiconductor company, with approximately 6,500 employees worldwide. Avago provides an extensive range of analog, mixed-signal and optoelectronic components and subsystems to more than 40,000 customers. The company's products serve four end markets: industrial and automotive, wired networking, wireless communications, and computer peripherals. It is recognized for providing innovative, high-quality products along with strong customer service and the industry's best on-time delivery. Avago's heritage of technical innovation dates back 40 years to its Agilent/Hewlett-Packard roots. Information about Avago is available on the Web at www.avagotech.com.

Avago, Avago Technologies, and the A logo are trademarks of Avago Technologies Limited in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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