Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) links OpenLight PDK with Cadence tools for PH18DA photonics
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. reports a technology collaboration with OpenLight and Cadence to expand the PH18DA indium phosphide-on-silicon photonics ecosystem. OpenLight’s photonic Process Design Kit is now available within Cadence electronic design automation tools and supports fabrication on Tower’s PH18DA platform.
The ecosystem combines OpenLight’s photonics IP, Tower’s process and manufacturing capabilities, and Cadence’s design tools to let customers design advanced photonic integrated circuits in a familiar IC design environment. This supports integration of active components such as lasers, modulators, and amplifiers on a single monolithic PIC for applications including optical interconnects, AI infrastructure, sensing, and next-generation near- and co-packaged optics solutions.
Positive
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Negative
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Key Figures
Series A-1 funding: $50 million
Total OpenLight funding: $84 million
Target data rates: 400G and 1.6T
+1 more
4 metrics
Series A-1 funding
$50 million
Recent OpenLight funding round mentioned as part of its commercial momentum
Total OpenLight funding
$84 million
Cumulative funding for OpenLight supporting its photonics technology and adoption
Target data rates
400G and 1.6T
Designs for laser-integrated photonic ICs on the PH18DA platform
Facilities owned
One in Israel, two in the U.S., two in Japan
Tower Semiconductor’s operating facilities footprint as described
Key Terms
Process Design Kit, photonic integrated circuits, InP-on-silicon photonics platform, near- and co-packaged optics, +1 more
5 terms
Process Design Kit technical
"availability of OpenLight’s photonic Process Design Kit (PDK) for Tower Semiconductor’s PH18DA"
A process design kit is a package of technical rules, design files and validation data that tells chip designers how to create circuits that can be manufactured on a specific semiconductor factory process. It matters to investors because a complete, accurate kit shortens development time, reduces costly design errors and increases the likelihood of good production yields—similar to having a precise blueprint and measurement tools before building a complex machine, which lowers cost and speed risk.
photonic integrated circuits technical
"enables customers to design advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) within a widely adopted IC design"
Photonic integrated circuits are chips that use tiny optical components to generate, route and detect light instead of moving electrical signals, performing functions similar to electronic computer chips but with photons. They matter to investors because they can enable much faster data transfer and lower power use in telecommunications, data centers and sensing, creating new markets and potential cost advantages — but they also require specialized manufacturing and carry technology and supply risks.
InP-on-silicon photonics platform technical
"Tower’s PH18DA indium phosphide (InP)-on-silicon photonics platform in Cadence’s electronic design"
near- and co-packaged optics technical
"necessary for next-generation near- and co-packaged optics (NPO/CPO) solutions"
heterogeneous III-V-on-silicon photonic integration technical
"a leader in heterogeneous III‑V‑on‑silicon photonic integration and custom Photonic"
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
What did Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) announce regarding its PH18DA photonics platform?
Tower Semiconductor announced that OpenLight’s photonic PDK is now available in Cadence EDA tools, enabling customers to design photonic integrated circuits for fabrication on Tower’s PH18DA InP-on-silicon photonics platform within a widely used IC design environment.
How does the Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) and OpenLight collaboration benefit photonic IC development?
The collaboration links OpenLight’s photonics IP, Tower’s PH18DA process, and Cadence tools, allowing designers to create advanced photonic integrated circuits and move more efficiently from design to production using established electronic IC workflows.
Which applications are targeted by Tower Semiconductor’s PH18DA platform mentioned in the 6-K for TSEM?
The PH18DA platform supports advanced optical systems for optical interconnects, AI infrastructure, and sensing, enabling integration of lasers, modulators, and amplifiers into single monolithic photonic integrated circuits on an InP-on-silicon platform.
What role does Cadence play in Tower Semiconductor’s (TSEM) PH18DA ecosystem?
Cadence provides the electronic design automation tools where OpenLight’s PDK now runs, making it possible to design photonic integrated circuits for Tower’s PH18DA platform in a widely adopted IC design environment, helping streamline design-to-production workflows.
What performance goals are highlighted for Tower Semiconductor’s PH18DA platform in this TSEM filing?
The PH18DA collaboration aims to support 400G and 1.6T laser-integrated photonic ICs and enable co-optimized PIC and EIC designs to improve performance, power efficiency, and scalability for next-generation near- and co-packaged optics solutions.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of August
2026 No.2
Commission File Number 0-24790
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Ramat Gavriel Industrial Park
P.O. Box 619, Migdal Haemek, Israel 2310502
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form
40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form
40-F ☐
On August 11, 2026, the Registrant and OpenLight Expanding PH18DA Photonics Ecosystem to Accelerate
Photonic IC Development
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
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Date: August 11, 2026
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By:
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/s/ Nati Somekh | |
| Name: Nati Somekh | |||
| Title: Corporate Secretary | |||
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OpenLight and Tower Semiconductor Expand PH18DA Photonics Ecosystem to Accelerate
Photonic IC Development
OpenLight’s PDK is now available on Cadence’s EDA tools, enabling PIC development on Tower’s PH18DA InP-on-silicon
photonics platform
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., and MIGDAL
HAEMEK, Israel, - August 11, 2026 - OpenLight, a leader in heterogeneous III‑V‑on‑silicon photonic integration and custom Photonic
Application‑Specific Integrated Circuits (PASICs), and Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ/TASE:
TSEM), the leading foundry for high-value analog semiconductor solutions, today announced the availability of OpenLight’s photonic Process Design Kit (PDK) for Tower Semiconductor’s PH18DA indium phosphide (InP)-on-silicon photonics platform in Cadence’s electronic design automation (EDA) tools. Developed through close technical collaboration between the companies, the PDK now enables
customers to design advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) within a widely adopted IC design environment and accelerate development toward production.
The PH18DA ecosystem brings together OpenLight’s photonics IP, Tower’s process and manufacturing expertise, and Cadence’s leading EDA tools, enabling a streamlined path for developing advanced photonic ICs while bringing photonics design closer to established electronic IC workflows and manufacturing.
“By making our PDK available on Cadence tools, we enable customers to design photonic integrated circuits within the same environment they rely on for advanced IC development,” said Dr. Adam Carter, CEO at OpenLight. “This integration simplifies adoption and strengthens the path from design to production on the PH18DA platform.”
Designs created using OpenLight‘s PDK support fabrication on Tower’s PH18DA InP-on-silicon photonics platform, which enables the integration of active photonic components - including lasers, modulators, and amplifiers - into a single monolithic PIC. The platform supports advanced optical systems for applications such as optical interconnects, AI infrastructure, and sensing.
“In collaboration with Cadence and OpenLight, we are advancing design capabilities on the PH18DA platform through a new capability that integrates expertise across technology, IP, and EDA,” said Dr. Samir Chaudhry, Vice President of Customer Design Enablement and Reliability at Tower Semiconductor. “This approach enables customers to streamline development of 400G and 1.6T laser-integrated photonic integrated circuits, while achieving co-optimized PIC and EIC designs for improved performance, power efficiency, and scalability necessary for next-generation near- and co-packaged optics (NPO/CPO) solutions.”
"Adding the OpenLight PDK PH18DA manufactured by Tower Semiconductor to the rich portfolio of photonics processes supported by the Cadence Photonics ecosystem is a key milestone because it marks the introduction of integrated active devices for high-performance, co-optimized electro-optical designs," said Gilles Lamant, Distinguished Engineer, Cadence.
For additional information about Tower Semiconductor’s SiPho technology platform, visit here.
The PH18DA ecosystem brings together OpenLight’s photonics IP, Tower’s process and manufacturing expertise, and Cadence’s leading EDA tools, enabling a streamlined path for developing advanced photonic ICs while bringing photonics design closer to established electronic IC workflows and manufacturing.
“By making our PDK available on Cadence tools, we enable customers to design photonic integrated circuits within the same environment they rely on for advanced IC development,” said Dr. Adam Carter, CEO at OpenLight. “This integration simplifies adoption and strengthens the path from design to production on the PH18DA platform.”
Designs created using OpenLight‘s PDK support fabrication on Tower’s PH18DA InP-on-silicon photonics platform, which enables the integration of active photonic components - including lasers, modulators, and amplifiers - into a single monolithic PIC. The platform supports advanced optical systems for applications such as optical interconnects, AI infrastructure, and sensing.
“In collaboration with Cadence and OpenLight, we are advancing design capabilities on the PH18DA platform through a new capability that integrates expertise across technology, IP, and EDA,” said Dr. Samir Chaudhry, Vice President of Customer Design Enablement and Reliability at Tower Semiconductor. “This approach enables customers to streamline development of 400G and 1.6T laser-integrated photonic integrated circuits, while achieving co-optimized PIC and EIC designs for improved performance, power efficiency, and scalability necessary for next-generation near- and co-packaged optics (NPO/CPO) solutions.”
"Adding the OpenLight PDK PH18DA manufactured by Tower Semiconductor to the rich portfolio of photonics processes supported by the Cadence Photonics ecosystem is a key milestone because it marks the introduction of integrated active devices for high-performance, co-optimized electro-optical designs," said Gilles Lamant, Distinguished Engineer, Cadence.
For additional information about Tower Semiconductor’s SiPho technology platform, visit here.
For additional information about OpenLight, visit here.
About OpenLight
OpenLight is a leader in the heterogeneous integration of III-V devices in silicon photonics. OpenLight’s world-leading PASIC technology,
supported by its process design kit (PDK), integrates all active and passive components of silicon photonics devices into a single chip, enabling high-performance, energy-efficient photonics solutions across datacom, telecom, automotive, AI, and
quantum computing applications and markets. The company’s recent $50 million Series A-1 funding round, bringing total funding to $84 million, reflects growing commercial momentum and accelerating customer adoption across next-generation photonics
applications. The company is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, with offices in Silicon Valley. Read more at www.openlightphotonics.com.
About Tower Semiconductor
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology,
development, and process platforms for its customers in growing markets such as consumer, industrial, automotive, mobile, infrastructure, medical and aerospace and defense. Tower Semiconductor focuses on creating a positive and sustainable impact on
the world through long-term partnerships and its advanced and innovative analog technology offering, comprised of a broad range of customizable process platforms such as SiPho, SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, non-imaging
sensors, displays, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), and MEMS. Tower Semiconductor also provides world-class design enablement for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as process transfer services including development, transfer, and
optimization, to IDMs and fabless companies. To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, Tower Semiconductor currently owns one operating facility in Israel (200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm), and two in Japan (200mm and
300mm) which it owns through its 51% holdings in TPSCo and shares a 300mm facility in Agrate, Italy with STMicroelectronics. For more information, please visit: www.towersemi.com.
Safe Harbor Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary from those
projected or implied by such forward-looking statements. A complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements included in this press release or which may otherwise affect Tower’s business is
included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Tower’s most recent filings on Forms 20-F, F-3, F-4 and 6-K, as were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Israel Securities Authority. Tower does not intend to update, and
expressly disclaim any obligation to update, the information contained in this release.
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Tower Semiconductor Company Contact: Orit
Shahar | +972-74-7377440 | oritsha@towersemi.com
Tower Semiconductor Investor Relations
Contact: Liat Avraham | +972-4-6506154 | liatavra@towersemi.com
OpenLight Photonics Company Contact: Mallory
Robertson mallory@grandbridges.com