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Technology Stocks : TSEM --Tower Semiconductor Ltd. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: wang who wrote (37)	4/9/2000 9:36:00 PM
From: ahhaha	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 60

A "logic process" is the procedure by which a "module" is created. A module is an aggregation of the combination of micro miniature components like transistors, capacitors, resistors, etc., epitaxially sandwiched in silicon that make up electronic unit devices like chips. By logic they mean the gate logic organization of the miniature devices and that means essentially the network of "wires" connecting the sandwiched micro components so that their combined current input/output accomplishes some specific function like amplification of a signal. When we talk about .25 micron processes we mean the "wire" width of the network. They are actually more like channels because the "wires" are rectangular in cross section. In production runs of these modules you pretty much have to stay with a given device at least for a period, say 1 month, of producing what you believe the forward demand will be. Then you can change dies, masks, tools, and equipment for other modules. Changing to produce this kind or that is no big deal. What is important is who gets to make the call to change. I think we're making too much of an issue about who makes the call. I didn't intend to imply that there is any problem here. I did mean to imply that TSEM couldn't start fabricating NROM right off the top. Toshiba knows what's happening. They wouldn't put the $10 million in direct investment not earmarked for any particular project if there was much of an issue about what to make. What should Toshiba do? Forego modules with twice or three times the margin with at least the currently visible demand as CMOS sensors which are admittedly short in supply, but are trickling through from other sources? Then there is the problem that TSEM engineers don't know the subtleties of Toshiba's expertise in foundry output optimization. TSEM engineers have to learn the ropes and the best way to do that initially is to tweak the fab to output the products that Toshiba knows. They can gradually transition to the higher added value line in time. Toshiba would like to do the high end now, but it isn't practically realistic to do so. I brought this up because the people on Yahoo were letting their emotions get way ahead of realistic expectations. Everyone has to realize that this is a huge project with many difficulties ahead. That means a drag on earnings. That doesn't mean you should be concerned, but the market with all those "long and strong" types can and will get concerned and end up doing more panic selling. You just have to ride on through all this noise.