IC Media Develops First CMOS Image Sensor Using 2.575 Micron Pixel.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Enables Compact 3, 4 and 5 Megapixel Camera Modules for Camera Phones and Other Mobile Devices

IC Media Corporation, a leading developer of CMOS image sensors, today announced the successful development of the industry's first CMOS image sensors using a 2.575 x 2.575 micron pixel. The test vehicles using this pixel were 3 and 4 megapixel sensors. These devices were developed using an extension of IC Media's proprietary EmeraldPixel(TM) architecture, which offers an industry-leading 25 degree acceptance angle. The sensors also incorporate certain optical enhancement technologies to improve quantum efficiency.

"This development is a testament to IC Media's continuing technological leadership," commented Richard Char, President and CEO, IC Media. "With a pixel size of only 2.575 microns, we now have a platform to create 3, 4 and 5 megapixel sensors for camera modules in form factors ideal for widespread proliferation in camera phones."

"We developed these devices as benchmarks in our technology roadmap, and are very pleased with the excellent image quality we have achieved," said Dr. Chen Feng, VP Optics at IC Media. "We were able to shrink the sensor by more than 40%, while maintaining excellent sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio."

The sensor was manufactured at UMC (NYSE: UMC), using their most advanced CMOS image sensor process. "Significant advancement in UMC's CIS process enabled us to build these parts," said Dan Yoder, IC Media's Chief Operating Officer. "Working together, we were able to design and produce these prototypes in less than 6 months. It's gratifying to obtain such good results with first silicon."

A sample image captured with the new pixel technology is available on the IC Media Web site at: http://www.ic-media.com/documents/sampleimage-new%20pixel.jpg.

About IC Media

IC Media is an established volume supplier of leading high resolution CMOS image sensors for cell phones, digital still cameras, PC cameras, and other mobile imaging applications. Today, IC Media ships CIF, VGA, 1Mp, 2Mp and 3Mp CMOS image sensors with pixel sizes down to 3.45 microns. The privately-held company was founded in 1998. The Company has headquarters in Santa Clara, California, an R&D center in Mesa, Arizona, and offices in Chu-Pei and Taipei, Taiwan and Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China. For more information on the Company and its products, please visit the IC Media website at www.IC-Media.com.