Chartered, Virage Logic expand efforts for 90nm chip design

Virage Logic joins Chartered¡¦s NanoAccess Alliance, provides Technology-Optimized Semiconductor IP Platform for 90nm SoC manufacturing process

MILPITAS and FREMONT, Calif. ¡V September 18, 2003 ¡V Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing (Nasdaq: CHRT and SGX-ST: Chartered), one of the world¡¦s top three dedicated semiconductor foundries, and Virage Logic Corp. (Nasdaq: VIRL), a leading provider of best-in-class semiconductor IP platforms, today announced they will make available Virage Logic¡¦s Technology-Optimized Platform on Chartered¡¦s NanoAccess„§ 90-nanometer (nm) system-on-chip (SoC) manufacturing technologies.  Underscoring the strategic significance of their long-standing relationship, Virage Logic has also joined Chartered¡¦s NanoAccess Alliance to reinforce their efforts on 90nm design solutions.

Virage Logic¡¦s complete range of standard cell libraries, I/O components, and memory compilers for SRAM, ROM and register files will be qualified for Chartered¡¦s 90nm baseline logic process. Design libraries will be available beginning in the fourth quarter of 2003. Silicon qualification is in progress, and release of fully silicon-validated libraries is expected by the second quarter of 2004.

¡§Chartered was the first foundry to work with Virage Logic beginning when 0.35 micron was the dominant technology node. Joining Chartered¡¦s NanoAccess Alliance is a natural extension of our strategic relationship,¡¨ said Adam Kablanian, president and CEO of Virage Logic. ¡§Together, we¡¦ve cultivated an expanding base of companies that rely on our silicon-proven IP and Chartered¡¦s silicon manufacturing services. We¡¦re committed to ensuring that these customers have timely access to our Technology-Optimized Platform for their 90nm chips.¡¨

¡§We formed the NanoAccess Alliance for one reason: to streamline the design and manufacturing approach required to leverage advanced processes at 90nm and beyond. In order to do that, we need to work proactively with companies all across the semiconductor supply chain, including suppliers of critical design libraries and memory IP such as Virage Logic,¡¨ said Kevin Meyer, vice president of worldwide marketing and services at Chartered. ¡§We have been working with Virage Logic for quite some time on its optimized memory compilers, and are now collaborating on its extended semiconductor IP platform that includes standard cell and I/O offerings for leading-edge 90nm customers.¡¨

Virage Logic is an inaugural member of Chartered¡¦s NanoAccess Alliance, and joins the extensive ecosystem of industry-leading library, electronic design automation, intellectual property, and outsourced design and manufacturing services companies. The NanoAccess Alliance brings together critical system-on-chip technologies and services with Chartered¡¦s NanoAccess semiconductor manufacturing processes for 90nm and beyond. Chartered and the NanoAccess Alliance companies promote access to open design solutions that allow foundry customers more control over their leading-edge design and manufacturing options. (See September 18, 2003 press release, ¡§Chartered Launches NanoAccess Alliance to Enable Chip Design on Foundry-Proven 90nm Process Platform¡¨)

Virage Logic¡¦s Technology-Optimized Platforms are based on its highly differentiated IP including: the Self-Test and Repair (STAR) Memory SystemTM; the Area, Speed and Power (ASAP) Memory product lineTM; the ASAP LogicTM product line with its metal programmable and standard cell libraries; and the recently introduced Base I/O libraries.

About Chartered
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, one of the world¡¦s top three dedicated semiconductor foundries, is forging a customized approach to outsourced semiconductor manufacturing by building lasting and collaborative partnerships with its customers. The Company provides flexible and cost-effective manufacturing solutions for customers, enabling the convergence of communications, computing and consumer markets.  In Singapore, Chartered operates five fabrication facilities and has a sixth fab, which will be developed as a 300mm facility.
A company with both global presence and perspective, Chartered is traded on both the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: CHRT) and on the Singapore Exchange (SGX-ST: CHARTERED). Chartered's 3,500 employees are based at 11 locations around the world. Information about Chartered can be found at www.charteredsemi.com.

About Virage Logic
Virage Logic Corp. (Nasdaq:VIRL) is a leading provider of best-in-class semiconductor IP platforms based on memory, logic, I/Os, and IP development tools that are silicon proven and production ready. Virage Logic meets market demands for cost reduction, while improving performance and reliability for fabless and integrated device manufacturer (IDM) companies focused on the consumer, communications and networking, handheld and portable, and computer and graphics markets. Virage Logic is headquartered in Fremont, California and has sales and support offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.viragelogic.com or call (877) 360-6690 toll free or (510) 360-8000.
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NanoAccess is a trademark of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Chartered Safe Harbour Statement under the provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This news release may contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are : the difficulties, interruptions and unforeseen delays in the progress and implementation of our collaborative efforts with Virage Logic; changes in market outlook and trends; customer demands; rate of semiconductor market recovery; economic conditions in the United States as well as globally; the performance level of and technology mix in our fabrication facilities and competition. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained. In addition to the foregoing factors, a description of certain other risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially can be found in the section captioned "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and our First Quarter 2003 Quarterly Report on Form 6-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on the current view of management on future events. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.