Diodes Incorporated Announces First Product Series Utilizing Proprietary Precision Zener Diode Process; UDZ Series Designed to Meet Robust Demand in Asia

    WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--June 27, 2002--Diodes Incorporated , a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality discrete semiconductors, primarily to the communications, computing, industrial, consumer electronics and automotive industries, today announced the release of the UDZ series of Zener diodes.
    The UDZ series is the first new product line to be introduced that capitalizes on the revolutionary new high precision Zener diode process developed by FabTech, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Diodes Incorporated. Zener technology is an essential component in a broad range of electronics, including notebook, flat panel display, digital cameras, hand-held devices and DC to DC conversion.
    The new process (patents pending) supplants the traditional method of high-temperature diffusion with a precision, ion implantation technique. This simplified process offers a far greater measure of control over the Zener breakdown voltage (VZ), and greatly reduces other variables that can occur during the process. This results in vastly improved accuracy and uniformity of the end product. In addition, the unique process will allow Diodes to offer high tolerance custom voltages to customers, further simplifying their circuitry and reducing costs.
    Commenting on the launch, Mark King, VP of Sales and Marketing at Diodes Incorporated, said, "We are delighted to announce the introduction of our UDZ series, which is a direct result of the groundbreaking Zener process developed by our research teams at Diodes-FabTech. The outstanding performance metrics of the new series offer exciting possibilities for us in our Asian markets, where this particular Zener line is in huge demand."
    Diodes' new chip technology premieres in the sub-miniature SOD-323 package and is scheduled to be implemented across a range of package styles, including multi-pin packages in Zener array configurations. The technology will also be used in conjunction with other discrete technologies in a variety of the Company's multi-pin packages to produce high-performance, custom-designed solutions tailored to specific market segments and end products.
    Diodes' new precision Zener diodes offer several advantages over Zener diodes manufactured in the traditional way. Conventional Zener diode wafer manufacturers are dependent on using unique silicon wafer substrate characteristics in order to vary the breakdown voltage, whereas the Diodes-FabTech process allows for unrivalled flexibility in catering for any specified Zener voltage within a broad range simply by adjusting the implant dose. All of the voltages within this range can be achieved using the same wafer substrate starting material. This equates to a significant reduction in lead-time for wafer processing and allows for reduced inventory levels of substrate materials.
    The product line features a very tight tolerance of VZ, with a specified level of less than +/-2.5% for most voltages. The actual typical tolerances for most voltages within Diodes' UDZ series have been measured to be less than 1%. This compares to a typical tolerance range for Zener diodes developed using traditional processes of +/-5% to +/-7%, allowing the device to be used in many applications where conventional high tolerance Zener diodes are unsuitable.
    Additional features for the UDZ series include a very low dynamic Zener impedance, ZZK, at 10% of the IZ current for which VZ is specified. The low impedance enables the Zener diode to work at current levels down to 500(mu)A, reducing the load to the drive circuitry which in turn conserves power and extends battery life in applications.
    "This is only the first of a number of planned additions to our Zener range," continued King. "It is our intention to fully capitalize on Diodes' intellectual lead in this area by introducing lines that are recognized as benchmark products for the semiconductor industry and further establishing Diodes as a top-tier company."
    For more information, visit http://www.diodes.com or contact Diodes' customer service at 800-446-4874 or email at info@diodes.com.

    About Diodes Incorporated

    Diodes Incorporated is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality discrete semiconductor products, serving the communications, computer, industrial, consumer electronics and automotive markets. The Company operates three Far East subsidiaries, Diodes-China (QS-9000 and ISO-14001 certified) in Shanghai, Diodes-Taiwan (ISO-9000 certified) in Taipei, and Diodes-Hong Kong. Diodes-China's manufacturing focus is on surface-mount devices destined for wireless devices, notebook computers, pagers, PCMCIA cards and modems, among others. Diodes-Taiwan is our Asia-Pacific sales, logistics and distribution center. Diodes-Hong Kong covers sales warehouse and logistics functions. The Company's 5" wafer foundry, Diodes-FabTech (QS-9000 certified), specializes in Schottky products and is located just outside Kansas City, Missouri. The Company's ISO-9000 corporate sales, marketing, engineering and logistics headquarters is located in Southern California. For further information, visit the Company's website at http://www.diodes.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as implementation and market reception to the new Zener process, fluctuations in product demand, the introduction of new products, the Company's ability to maintain customer and vendor relationships, technological advancements, impact of competitive products and pricing, growth in targeted markets, risks of foreign operations, and other information detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Recent news releases, annual reports, and SEC filings are available at the Company's website: http://www.diodes.com. Written requests may be sent directly to the Company, or they may be e-mailed to: diodes-fin@diodes.com.

    NOTE TO EDITORS: In this news release, the "Z" in VZ and IZ -- and the "ZK" in ZZK -- should appear as subscripts. This symbol may not appear properly in some systems.