Nanometrics Receives Multiple System Order for Atlas® XP and NanoGen from Leading Semiconductor Manufacturer

Nanometrics Incorporated (Nasdaq: NANO), a leading supplier of advanced process control metrology systems used primarily in the manufacturing of semiconductors, solar photovoltaics and high-brightness LEDs as well as advanced wafer-scale packaging, today announced that is has received an order for multiple Atlas XP metrology systems equipped with NanoCD™ capability. The systems are expected to be qualified in the third quarter of this year at a leading semiconductor manufacturer. The systems will be installed with Nanometrics’ scalable NanoGen cluster computing solutions to enable analysis of the most critical and complex process steps in an advanced technology node, supporting both film thickness and optical critical dimension (OCD) metrology.

Rambus Reaches Tentative Settlement With European Commission

Forward-Looking Royalty Rates Established for DRAMs and Memory Controllers

Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBS), one of the world’s premier technology licensing companies specializing in high-speed memory architectures, today announced that it has reached a tentative settlement with the European Commission (the “Commission”) to resolve the pending case against the Company. Under the proposed resolution, the Commission would make no finding of liability relative to JEDEC-related charges, and no fine would be assessed against Rambus. In addition, Rambus would commit to offer licenses with maximum royalty rates for certain memory types and memory controllers on a forward-going basis. European Commission antitrust procedures stipulate that a final decision must be preceded by a consultation of interested third parties on the terms of the commitments offered (the “Commitment”); this consultation was initiated today.

Federal Trade Commission Dismisses Case Against Rambus

Rambus Inc. (Nasdaq: RMBS), one of the world’s premier technology licensing companies specializing in high-speed memory architectures, today announced that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued an order dismissing the remainder of its case against Rambus. This follows a recent denial of the Commission’s request for certiorari with the United States Supreme Court to review the Rambus case and brings the seven-year matter to a close.

“We are pleased to have finally put this matter behind us,” said Thomas Lavelle, senior vice president and general counsel at Rambus. “Rambus has prevailed on similar JEDEC-related claims at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in front of a jury, and before a federal district court. The FTC’s decision to drop its remaining JEDEC-related claim against us was the right one.”

Atmel Introduces High-quality Stereo Audio Digital-to-Analog Converter IC With High-power Audio Power Amplifier

AT73C240 integrates 20-bit Stereo Audio DAC with 90dB dynamic range, together with 1W Power Amplifier

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the release of its AT73C240 Audio Companion IC for portable multimedia applications. Manufactured on Atmel's low-cost mainstream CMOS process, the AT73C240 integrates an audio quality 20-bit Stereo DAC and an up to 1W audio power amplifier. The AT73C240 is ideally suited for portable applications where a high-quality audio interface is required, such as new-generation mobile phones, PDAs, palmtop computers, digital still cameras, portable multimedia devices and music players, etc.