Released on: October 16, 2008, 12:15 am

Press Release Author: Meghna

Industry: Computers

Press Release Summary: Cypress designs and manufactures semiconductor solutions that
permit innovation around the world. Cypress offers PSoC, the premier programmable
mixed-signal controller; the TrueTouch multi-touch and gesture-based input system;
CapSense capacitive sensing; wireless USB; West Bridge ultra-fast peripheral
controllers; as well as general purpose clock generators, image sensors, memory,
optical sensors, and more.

Press Release Body: Cypress and Tower Semiconductor Announce Completion of Cypress's
First 0.18-Micron Stitched Custom CMOS Image Sensor Device
Tower's Patented Small-Pixel Stitching Technology to Manufacture High End Application
SAN JOSE, Calif., USA and MIGDAL HA'EMEK, Israel, July 7, 2008 - Cypress
Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY), a leading developer and manufacturer of programmable
mixed-signal solutions and CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) components, and Tower
Semiconductor, Ltd. (Nasdaq: TSEM, TASE: TSEM), an independent specialty foundry,
today announced the successful completion of Cypress's first 0.18-micron stitched
large-format CIS device. The product is to be manufactured using Tower
Semiconductor's latest generation of stitching technology at Tower's 200-mm Fab 2 in
Migdal Ha'emek, Israel.
Cypress and Tower have collaborated on CIS products for more than five years,
primarily using Tower's Fab 1 technology. Cypress is now also using Fab 2's advanced
0.18-micron technology, producing products serving a variety of applications,
including industrial imaging, high-end cameras and dental imaging.
Cypress's stitched CIS product is the latest addition to Tower's Fab 2, 0.18-micron
technology platform. Tower's patented stitching technology overcomes
photolithography tool limitations to seamlessly tile 5.5-micron pixel sections into
a large pixel array, resulting in ultra-high resolution, high-quality color image
sensors. This technology enables manufacturing of die sizes up to a single die per
200-mm wafer.
Cypress is the market leader in the custom CIS market, with a broad portfolio of
products for high-speed imaging, machine vision, barcode, medical, and digital
cinema applications.
Cypress's design expertise and patented IP in custom large-die sensors, combined
with Tower's high-performance CIS process capabilities, result in innovative sensors
benefiting from the high image quality and large die sizes that Tower's technology
enables.
"We are very pleased with the results of our first 0.18 micron stitched design in
the Tower process. Tower brings unique CIS technology and manufacturing
capabilities to our portfolio," said Dr. Cliff Drowley, vice president and general
manager of Cypress's image sensor business unit. "Custom products require
best-of-breed product capabilities, and we were able to achieve such a capability on
this stitched large-die design through close interaction between our design team and
Tower's foundry experts."
"We are pleased to partner with Cypress in the manufacturing of their custom CMOS
image sensing designs," said Dr. Avi Strum, general manager of the specialty product
line at Tower Semiconductor. "Custom products for high-end applications bring out
the best that our technology has to offer, enabling high-profile business
opportunities for both companies."

About Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (Nasdaq: TSEM, TASE: TSEM) is an independent specialty
foundry that delivers customized solutions in a variety of advanced CMOS
technologies, including digital CMOS, mixed-signal and RF (radio frequency) CMOS,
CMOS image sensors, power management devices, and embedded non-volatile memory
solutions. Tower's customer orientation is complemented by its uncompromising
attention to quality and service. Its specialized processes and engineering
expertise provides highly flexible, customized manufacturing solutions to fulfill
the increasing variety of customer needs worldwide. Boasting two world-class
manufacturing facilities with standard and specialized process technologies ranging
from 1.0- to 0.13-micron, Tower Semiconductor provides exceptional design support
and technical services to help customers sustain long-term, reliable product
performance, while delivering on-time and on-budget results. More information can be
found at http://www.towersemi.com."
About Cypress
Cypress delivers high-performance, mixed-signal, programmable solutions that provide
customers with rapid time-to-market and exceptional system value. Cypress offerings
include the PSoC(r) Programmable System-on-Chip(tm), USB controllers, general-purpose
programmable clocks and memories. Cypress also offers wired and wireless
connectivity solutions ranging from its WirelessUSB(tm) radio system-on-chip, to West
Bridge(tm) and EZ-USB(r) FX2LP controllers that enhance connectivity and performance in
multimedia handsets. Cypress serves numerous markets including consumer,
computation, data communications, automotive, industrial, and solar power. Cypress
trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol CY. Visit Cypress online at
www.cypress.com.
www.cypress.com/go/se/7_July_sensordevice


Web Site: www.cypress.com

Contact Details: 198 Champion Ct.
San Jose, CA 95134 USA
Tel: (408) 943 2600
Fax: (408) 943 4730