September 2008 - TOOL Corp. has Started Selling MS-lite, a Fracturing System for Small and Medium-sized Data

Tokyo, Japan - September 19, 2008 - TOOL Corporation (headquarters in Tokyo Japan, president Hideaki Hontao) today announced that it has started selling its MS-lite, a fracturing system that allows to convert small and medium-sized layout data to various major mask writer formats. Whereas its MaskStudio is more suitable for large-sized data fracturing by taking advantage of parallel processing, MS-lite has been developed with the concept of "generating mask data in a simpler and reachable ways". TOOL accomplished this goal by delivering MS-lite for more handy and speedy format conversions of small and medium-sized data.

The following is the key features of this product.

   (1) Fully utilizing the technology that has been cultivated in MaskStudio
        MaskStudio has established the fracturing technologies of the high level
        performance and quality, and the same technologies have been adopted
        in MS-lite. Input GDS or E-beam data is converted and exported to highly
        precise E-Beam data, namely MEBES, JEOL and VSB formats.

   (2) Suitable for relatively compact data
        While MaskStudio excels in large-scale data fracturing, the strength of
        MS-lite is in the field of small and medium-sized data conversion to E-Beam
        format data within short time. It is, therefore, best suited for fracturing of
        those designs rather compact in terms of data size, such as analog/RF,
        mixed-signal and LCD.

   (3) Not requiring a rule file
        Unlike conventional fracturing tools requiring much effort in rule file creation,
        MS-lite allows on-spot fracturing without any rule file preparation at all.
        The user can simply set up the process through its wizard style GUI or the
        command line. It is handy even for the first time user, as simple command
        and parameters setup at throwing a job allows to run the sophisticated
        process.

"A fracturing software that deals with large data is of high cost for its varieties of functionalities,"　said one of the customers. "On the other hand, MS-lite makes it possible to run the cost-balanced operation for required functionalities, so we decided to adopt it."

"It is with great pleasure that we started MS-lite sales because we now have two solutions for fracturing; one is MaskStudio, a full-scale fracturing tool, and the other is MS-lite for relatively compact data but more handy and quicker to start," said Hideaki Hontao, president of TOOL. "We are committed to making our effort for delivering MS-lite in market with our mind kept sharp on reflecting the future needs of customers for the upcoming challenges of advanced fracturing technologies."

MS-lite was exhibited at the Photomask Japan 2008 this April and will also be exhibited at the Photomask Technology 2008, October 7-8 in Monterey California.

About MS-lite

MS-lite is a fracturing system that allows converting layout design data to various mask writer formats especially for relatively compact data. The know-how and technologies, such as the Boolean operation functions, cultivated in the MaskStudio are utilized so that the high performance and quality fracturing is achieved. Taking different approach from other fracturing tools that are overly focused on the functionality for large-sized data, MS-lite provides more balanced and cost-effective solutions. It also reduces the time and effort required in the preparation of rule file, so even a first-time user should find its ease of use.

About MaskStudio

MaskStudio is a fracturing system that allows layout design data to be converted into various mask writer formats with power to handle huge data. It achieves high throughput by its Boolean operation function, parallel distributed processing technology and job management function, which becomes a robust solution for large and complex OPCed data conversion. Moreover, incorporating sliver control function, MaskStudio generates pattern data optimized for each mask-writing machine and thus reduces the running cost and TAT.

About TOOL

TOOL is a Japanese software development company focused primarily on EDA tool development. Its particular strength is in the area of layout design, and has scored a number of achievements in this area with its development tool, LAVIS and MaskStudio. Solutions to chipmakers' problems can be provided by combining TOOL’s package-software with its custom-tailored software developed to serve a customer’s particular need. TOOL provides ample experience in this particular area. For more information on TOOL and products, please refer to http://www.tool-corp.com/.

Contact:

TOOL Corporation
Asako Nakane
Marketing Group
+ 81-3-5723-8124
marketing@tool.co.jp

Product Inquiry:

TOOL Corporation
Sales Department
+ 81-3-5723-8144      
sales@tool.co.jp