Tower will deploy PDF's software in its new Fab 2 wafer fab, which will boost and accelerate yields in the plant. By using PDF's technologies, Tower hopes to avoid product-specific yield loss, said Ron Niv, Manager of Tower's Fab 2.

"Applying PDF's proprietary technologies and methods, Tower will be able to quickly analyze the complex interactions between its manufacturing processes and its customers' designs," said John Kibarian, president and CEO of PDF, based in San Jose.

Tower's new Fab 2 facility, currently prototyping 0.18-micron products, is expected to begin volume production by year's end. The facility will produce up to 33,000 200-mm wafers per month.