SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 11, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Magma(r) Design Automation Inc. (Nasdaq:LAVA), a provider of chip design software, today introduced Knights Smart Sampling(tm), an option to Magma's Knights YieldManager(r) yield management software, which automates inline wafer inspection review sampling for the defect-review tools used in semiconductor manufacturing. With this new YieldManager option, fab engineers are better able to select the defect-review tool that will accurately detect potential yield-killing defects, dramatically reducing manufacturing cycle time, accelerating yield ramp and improving time to market.
"Misjudging the severity of defect types can cause a variety of killer defects to go undetected," said Ankush Oberai, vice president of Magma's Fab Analysis Business Unit. "In addition, if the wrong defect is reviewed with the wrong tool, the defect will be misclassified, thus skewing the defect classification data. These errors can decrease yield and lengthen time to market. Smart Sampling reduces the possibility of these errors occurring by utilizing both a company's manufacturing data and the most accurate user knowledge to automatically determine which tool should be used to review and classify defect types on a particular chip. This, in turn, improves overall utilization of the fab's review tools, which are very costly to operate."
The defect data used to build Smart Sampling's defect sampling parameters is based upon defect size, location, layer, severity and type. The tool supports defect grouping, which enables more efficient and more accurate defect classification. Users can configure specific groups of defects based on any property or combination of properties. This enables the system to isolate sets of defects based on, among other factors, classification or set of classifications and position on the wafer or within the die. Once these sampling parameters are created, they are programmed into both the review tools and the Knights YieldManager database for future defect review and analysis.
About Magma
Magma's software for designing integrated circuits (ICs) is used to create complex, high-performance chips required in cellular telephones, electronic games, WiFi, MP3 players, DVD/digital video, networking, automotive electronics and other electronic applications. Magma's EDA software for IC implementation, analysis, physical verification, circuit simulation and characterization is recognized as embodying the best in semiconductor technology, enabling the world's top chip companies to "Design Ahead of the Curve"(tm) while reducing design time and costs. Magma is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with offices around the world. Magma's stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LAVA. Visit Magma Design Automation on the Web at www.magma-da.com.
Magma and YieldManager are registered trademarks and Smart Sampling and "Design Ahead of the Curve" are trademarks of Magma Design Automation Inc. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Forward-looking Statements:
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements that Knights Smart Sampling can accelerate yield ramp and improve time to market, that it can determine the tools best suited to review and classify various types of defects, and that it can isolate defects based on classification or position on the wafer or die, and about the features and benefits of Magma's software are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including but not limited to the ability of Magma's products to produce the desired results and the company's ability to keep pace with rapidly changing technology. Further discussion of these and other potential risk factors may be found in Magma's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). Magma undertakes no additional obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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