AMD Places Multi-Unit Copper Metrology Order with Philips Advanced Met

    Business Editors/Technology Editors

    NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2005--Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG) today announced that its metrology business unit, Philips Advanced Metrology Systems, Inc. (Philips AMS), has received a multi-unit order for its Series 3300 copper metrology tool from AMD Saxony LLC & Co. KG, Dresden (Germany), a subsidiary of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) in Sunnyvale, Calif. AMD will incorporate the Philips AMS equipment as a metal metrology tool for on-line production monitoring of the copper/low k process for both 200mm and 300mm fabs and has been running the Philips AMS Series 3300 at its Dresden fab for several months. The Series 3300 provides high throughput and low cost of ownership metrology for this application, allowing AMD to improve process control and reduce manufacturing costs. AMD will utilize the Philips AMS SurfaceWave(TM) technology for in-line measurements on its 90nm copper process lines.
    Philips AMS was chosen by AMD after a successful evaluation. "It is important that our solution is able to fulfill our demanding measurement requirements in a reliable and cost-effective way. The Philips AMS Series 3300 has proven capable of meeting our needs," said Thomas Ortleb, Lead Engineer of the Philips AMS evaluation at AMD. "Not only does the Series 3300 help meet our needs today, but we expect the technology to be extendable to allow us to compete with our products as we move forward to more advanced technology nodes."
    "In today's increasingly competitive market, semiconductor manufacturers are faced with the challenge of controlling costs, improving yields and developing advanced manufacturing processes that implement the latest materials," said Bill Gately, General Manager, Philips AMS. "Philips AMS tools were specifically designed for today's challenging copper processes, providing high throughput and low cost of ownership. We are excited to be working with AMD. We look forward to working with other manufacturers as they make this transition to a more cost-effective approach to metrology implementation."
    Philips AMS delivers advanced interconnect metrology solutions, purpose-built to help semiconductor manufacturers solve the problems inherent in new copper/low-k processes. The Series 3300 is a next-generation production system that leverages patented SurfaceWave(TM) technology to deliver high-throughput, low cost of ownership (COO), non-contact, non-destructive measurements of thickness and uniformity of metal line arrays and pads for all copper/low-k process metrology for 200 mm and 300 mm wafers.

    About Advanced Micro Devices

    AMD (NYSE:AMD) designs and produces innovative microprocessors, Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries. AMD is dedicated to delivering standards-based, customer-focused solutions for technology users, ranging from enterprises and governments to individual consumers. For more information visit www.amd.com

    About Royal Philips Electronics

    Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 30.3 billion in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 161,500 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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CONTACT: Philips AMS C.J.L. Moore, 508-647-1145 cjl.moore@philips.com or Lois Paul & Partners, LLC Alicia Bucknam, 781-782-5703 alicia_bucknam@lpp.com

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE MANUFACTURING NETWORKING INTERNET E-COMMERCE MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Philips Advanced Metrology Systems

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