Taipei, Taiwan: October 18, 2004, Taipei, Taiwan – System General, a leading provider of device programming instruments, today announced that it is working with Matrix Semiconductor to develop content programming solutions for Matrix 3-D Memory® (3DM). Equipped with proprietary mapping technologies, System General’s T9600 programmer follows Matrix’s stringent quality specifications while programming the memory devices at the fastest speed possible. Together, System General and Matrix help digital content publishers accelerate their time-to-market for delivering their properties to the mobile phone, handheld computing, toy, and game console industries.

The testing capabilities on the T9600 provide high/low margin verifications and other post-programming tests on Matrix 3DM. This ensures the highest reliability for content stored on Matrix 3DM components before they reach their target customer’s systems. This joint effort develops approved programming solutions for both mass production and engineering applications. System General works directly with Matrix Semiconductor as the technical liaison and provides sales/technical support for customers in the U.S.

“System General will be working with Matrix to provide a proven solution for programming Matrix 3-D Memory quickly, reliably, and affordably,” noted Dan Steere, vice president sales and marketing, Matrix Semiconductor. “Customers are constantly looking to program larger amounts of memory at the lowest costs. By utilizing System General we are able to deliver programmed, high-density, low-cost memory devices on a quick-turnaround basis for our customers.”

System General has long been known for providing total solutions to fit customers’ programming needs. For mass production, System General integrates the 9600 programmers with automated pick-and-place handlers for automatic programming operation. Socket adapters with two or four sockets are available to increase the programming sites and throughput.

“When you have 512-megabit or larger devices to program, the costs of device programming would represent a significant portion of your overall device cost”, said Don Yang, vice president System General. “Our engineering team constantly works with Matrix to optimize programming and verification algorithms so that the programming costs will be the lowest for its customers”.

Matrix 3DM is an inexpensive, high-capacity, permanent, non-volatile memory and the first product based on Matrix Semiconductor’s technology innovations. By designing memory chips in three dimensions, Matrix Semiconductor is uniquely able to maximize the use of silicon and, therefore, achieve extremely low cost for memory products.

System General has corporate facilities in Taiwan (Headquarters), USA, China and Korea. Located in the center of Silicon Valley, the U.S. branch is in Milpitas, California. Technical support for manufacturing facilities in the Asia Pacific arena, are facilitated by their proximity to System General’s Taiwan headquarters and branch offices in China and Korea.

About System General
System General (SG) was founded in 1983 as a consulting company specializing in Device Programming and Power Management. In 1985, the company expanded its operations to include the design and manufacture of Device Programmers. Aiming to become the leader in its field of expertise, SG is committed to delivering products and services of the highest quality. It has earned an excellent reputation from customers all over the world. System General significantly expanded its business scope in 1999, after merging with the IC design company ESIC. Armed with a strong R&D team, SG successfully entered the business by delivering its first series of Power Management products. System General's innovative energy-saving power conversion designs were well received by the market.

With the corporate vision of "Innovation for a Better Tomorrow", SG's business goal has always been to provide original products that improve people's lives. SG operates through two strategic business units: Semiconductors and Programming Instruments. Both units have the backing of dedicated and highly skilled R&D, manufacturing, sales, logistics and technical support teams.

SG is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. It has branch offices in the USA, China, and Hsinchu Taiwan. System General also works with sales agencies throughout the world.

About Matrix Semiconductor
Founded in 1998, Matrix Semiconductor, Inc. (Santa Clara, Calif.) has developed the means to create three-dimensional semiconductors using standard manufacturing techniques and materials. By optimizing use of a semiconductor wafer’s area – building “up” rather than “out” – Matrix’s 3-D technology produces highly dense chips at much lower costs than existing technologies. Matrix’s first product, the Matrix 3-D Memory (3DM), is a low cost, high density, non-volatile memory compatible with existing standards and targeted for use in millions of portable electronic devices. For more information, please visit the Matrix website at http://www.matrixsemi.com