Knights Technology Yield Management Software Selected for AMD Fab 36

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Knights Technology announced today that it will install its YieldManager(TM) software into the next generation of AMD's Automated Precision Manufacturing technology suite, APM version 3.0. APM 3.0 will power AMD's state-of-the-art 300mm Fab 36 in Dresden, Germany. YieldManager's automated analysis will improve the already industry-leading yield learning capabilities of APM, giving AMD personnel at the new fab instant insight into significant sources of yield loss throughout the manufacturing process. Improved productivity and reduced infrastructure costs from the fab floor to test are important benefits of Knights' software. As an integrated component of APM 3.0, YieldManager will correlate, analyze, graphically display, and report essential fab data to help AMD achieve high yields.

In addition to the basic YieldManager package, AMD will be purchasing two important Yield Management optional features: Analysis Flow Tool (AFT) and SPaR, Knights spatial pattern recognition software.

Ute Vogler, Manager CFM, of AMD stated: "AMD Automated Precision Manufacturing (APM) continues to be critical in accelerating yield learning on complex MPU processes. APM 2.0, combined with the superior workforce in Dresden, has allowed AMD to reduce time to mature yields by as much as 80 percent in three years. The importance of rapid yield learning will only increase at 300mm, and we believe Knights YieldManager will make a welcome addition to the features and functionality of APM 3.0 by decreasing defect isolation times and increasing fab-wide visibility."

"AMD's selection of Knights is a validation of the benefits of this advanced yield management capability that only Knights can deliver", said David Campbell, vice president of Knights Technology. "Keeping pace with the ever increasing volume of data and the increasing sophistication of yield parameters is a critical part of our business."

"Knights has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with AMD worldwide, including their use of YieldManager at Fab 30 in Dresden since 1998," commented Ankush Oberai, Knights vice president of sales and marketing. "We look forward to continuing that relationship with the FAB 36 installation."

About Knights Technology

Knights Technology, a wholly owned, independently-operated subsidiary of FEI Company , Hillsboro, Oregon, provides software tools to access and extract inspection and measurement results for powerful, fast, and robust yield enhancement analysis in the deep-submicron wafer fab. Further information is available at http://www.knights.com/ .

About AMD

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 http://www.amd.com/ .

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