FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
For the month of August 2006 No. 1
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
RAMAT GAVRIEL INDUSTRIAL PARK
P.O. BOX 619, MIGDAL HAEMEK, ISRAEL 23105
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [_]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [_] No [X]
On August 9, 2006, the Registrant announced that Tower Semiconductor Chosen
By Biomorphic to Power Its Next-Generation 3.0-Megapixel Image Sensor for Mobile
Applications, attached hereto is a copy of the press release.
This Form 6-K is being incorporated by reference into all effective
registration statements filed by us under the Securities Act of 1933.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
Date: August 9, 2006 By: /s/ Nati Somekh Gilboa
--------------------------
Nati Somekh Gilboa
Corporate Secretary
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR CHOSEN BY BIOMORPHIC TO POWER ITS NEXT-GENERATION
3.0-MEGAPIXEL IMAGE SENSOR FOR MOBILE APPLICATIONS
TOWER'S ADVANCED PHOTO DIODE PROCESS USED IN A NEW SERIES OF CMOS IMAGE SENSORS
MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel - August 9, 2006 - Tower Semiconductor, Ltd., a pure-play
independent specialty wafer foundry (NASDAQ: TSEM; TASE: TSEM), today announced
that Tower's Advanced Photo Diode (APD) process powers a new series of CMOS
Image Sensors for Biomorphic Microsystems Corporation, a supplier of innovative
imaging solutions for the cell phone and PDA markets.
Tower's APD process enables improved optical and electrical performance of
ultra-small pixels utilizing deep sub-micron process technologies, thus enabling
the manufacture of small, cost-effective camera module solutions. Manufactured
at Tower's Fab2 in 0.18-micron technology, the products utilize Tower's pixel IP
and the company's optically optimized multilayer metallization (OptiMuM(TM)),
which achieves dramatically better optical sensitivity by reducing stack height
from silicon to micro-lens.
Designed to fit the stringent requirements from one of the six leading global
cell phone manufacturers, these new products provide an excellent solution to
the increasing demand for higher image quality on small mobile handsets. The APD
process enables reduction of dark current and temporal noise and thus allows
perfect images at low light conditions.
Japanese market research firm Techno Systems Research (TSR) estimates the 2008
total market for 3.0-megapixel and 2.0-megapixel CMOS modules to be 50% of the
total units, around 300M units.
Biomorphic's new series of CMOS image sensors include:
- 3.0-megapixed sensor using 2.8-micron pixels
- 2.0-megapixed sensor using 3.2-micron pixels
- VGA sensor using 3.6-micron pixels
"The race to shrink pixel and camera module sizes without degrading performance
requires intensive R&D work with a foundry partner," said Dr. Bimal Mathur,
Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of Biomorphic Microsystems.
"Tower's expertise in image sensors and its APD technology gave us a complete
solution for optimized pixel performance."
"We are proud that our APD technology was implemented by Biomorphic in
cutting-edge CMOS image sensor products used for mobile applications in mass
production," said Dr. Avi Strum, General Manager of CIS and NVM product line at
Tower. "Biomorphic's presence in this fast growing market and their continued
design wins with a tier one cell phone maker strengthens our confidence in the
partnership and technology development paths we took."
ABOUT BIOMORPHIC MICROSYSTEMS CORPORATION.
Biomorphic Microsystems Corporation-a subsidiary of Macronix International Co.,
Ltd - Nasdaq: MXICY-is a fabless CMOS image sensor design house. The company is
a leader in innovative imaging solutions for the demanding cell phone and PDA
market. Biomorphic is committed to being the leader in cellphone imaging,
providing exceptional technical performance, small package size, and world-class
support for our partners. Biomorphic's Web site is located at
http://www.biomorphic.com/.
ABOUT TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. is a pure-play independent wafer foundry established in
1993. The company manufactures integrated circuits with geometries ranging from
1.0 to 0.13 micron; it also provides complementary technical services and design
support. In addition to digital CMOS process technology, Tower offers advanced
non-volatile memory solutions, mixed-signal and CMOS image-sensor technologies.
To provide world-class customer service, the company maintains two manufacturing
facilities: Fab 1 has process technologies from 1.0 to 0.35 micron and can
produce up to 16,000 150mm wafers per month. Fab 2 features 0.18-micron and
below standard and specialized process technologies, and has the current
capacity of up to 15,000 200mm wafers per month. Tower's Web site is located at
http://www.towersemi.com/.
SAFE HARBOR
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to
risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary from those projected or implied
by such forward-looking statements. A complete discussion of risks and
uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements
included in this press release or which may otherwise affect our business is
included under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on
Forms 20-F, F-1, F-3 and 6-K, as were filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Israel Securities Authority. We do not intend to update, and
expressly disclaim any obligation to update, the information contained in this
release.
CONTACTS:
Tower Semiconductor USA:
Michael Axelrod, +1 408 330 6871
pr@towersemi.com