IC Media Validates 2.8 x 2.8 Micron CMOS Sensor Implementation on UMC's CMOS Image Sensor Process

Newest 3 Megapixel image sensor addresses high-end camera phones with smallest available micron pixel size on CMOS

HSINCHU, Taiwan and SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 23, 2004 -IC Media Corporation today announced a technology milestone for its 3 Megapixel image sensor line with the verification of a 2.8 x 2.8 micron pixel CMOS image sensor manufactured on UMC’s (NYSE: UMC) 0.18 micron mixed signal process. IC Media’s innovative 3 Megapixel sensor enables camera modules to have a very small footprint and height suitable for applications such as camera phones. The company is continuing to expand upon its
3 Megapixel line with the availability of even smaller micron pixel sizes.

"The validation of our newest sensor implementation in silicon is a significant industry breakthrough," said Ben Wu, IC Media's CEO. "We believe it to be the first CMOS image sensor featuring a pixel size of only 2.8 micron. As a result, we expect to deliver a family of products based on this and smaller micron pixels that will be adopted for use in a whole new class of consumer devices with embedded, high-resolution cameras. Close cooperation with our foundry supplier, UMC, and the foundry's 0.18 micron CMOS mixed signal sensor process were major factors in the successful implementation of our design. We will continue our winning partnership with UMC for future IC Media technology breakthroughs."

Fu Tai Liou, head of the America Business Group at UMC said, "UMC is proud to deliver the enabling process technology that drives IC Media's innovative product solutions. We believe that their innovations will be extremely successful due to their industry-leading performance, cost effectiveness and compact-size factor. They are well targeted to meet the fast growing demand for handheld consumer electronics featuring high-performance image sensor technology. We look forward to supporting IC Media as they roll out their complete family of CMOS sensor products."

About IC Media's 3 Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor
IC Media's 3 Megapixel CMOS image sensor was created for applications such as camera phones which require high-quality, high-resolution images. The 3 Megapixel image sensor will enable IC Media to produce a family of sensors that features a common 2.8 micron x 2.8 micron pixel size and resolutions at VGA, 1.3, 2 and 4 megapixels.

About IC Media
IC Media is a leading designer of high-performance CMOS image sensors. The Company offers a variety of market leading solutions for mobile phones, digital still cameras, PC cameras, digital camcorders, toys, surveillance systems, environmental monitors, and applications for the automotive, medical and industrial markets. Today, IC Media ships CIF, VGA, 1Mp, 2Mp and 3Mp CMOS image sensors designed in 0.25 micron process technology with pixel sizes down to 3.2 micron and has completed development of 3Mp image sensors using a .18 micron mixed signal CMOS process with an industry leading 2.8 micron pixel size. The Company was founded in 1998 and has more than 100 employees with headquarters in San Jose, California, an R&D center in Mesa, Arizona, and offices in Chu-Pei and Taipei, Taiwan and Beijing, Shanghai and Shen Zhen, China. For more information on the company and its products, please visit the IC Media website at www.ic-media.com.

About UMC
UMC (NYSE: UMC, TSE: 2303) is a leading global semiconductor foundry that manufactures advanced process ICs for applications spanning every major sector of the semiconductor industry. UMC delivers cutting-edge foundry technologies that enable sophisticated system-on-chip (SOC) designs, including 90nm copper, 0.13um copper, embedded DRAM, and mixed signal/RFCMOS. UMC is also a leader in 300mm manufacturing; Fab 12A in Taiwan is currently in volume production for a variety of customer products, while Singapore-based UMCi is now in pilot production. UMC employs over 8,500 people worldwide and has offices in Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Europe, and the United States. UMC can be found on the web at http://www.umc.com.

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