[6-K] Tower Semiconductor Ltd Current Report (Foreign Issuer)
Tower Semiconductor and AIStorm announced the Cheetah HS, a 120x80-pixel charge-domain imager that embeds a first-layer analog neural network and captures up to 260,000 frames per second, described as 2,000–4,000x faster than conventional CMOS sensors. The on-chip charge-domain neuron layer outputs pulse streams for downstream processing, reducing the need for expensive high-speed data converters and interfaces.
The chip includes an integrated LED driver programmable up to 40 mA, improved low-light performance, and is positioned for robotics, drones, manufacturing inspection, security tracking, biometric and sports-analysis markets. Cheetah HS is available now as a chip and in reference-camera systems.
Tower Semiconductor e AIStorm hanno presentato il Cheetah HS, un sensore a dominio di carica da 120x80 pixel che integra un primo strato neurale analogico e acquisisce fino a 260.000 fotogrammi al secondo, descritto come 2.000–4.000x più veloce rispetto ai sensori CMOS convenzionali. Lo strato neuronale on-chip a dominio di carica genera flussi di impulsi per l'elaborazione a valle, riducendo la necessità di costosi convertitori di dati ad alta velocità e relative interfacce.
Il chip include un driver LED integrato programmabile fino a 40 mA, offre prestazioni migliorate in condizioni di scarsa illuminazione ed è destinato ai mercati della robotica, dei droni, dell'ispezione industriale, del tracciamento per la sicurezza, della biometria e dell'analisi sportiva. Il Cheetah HS è disponibile ora come chip e in sistemi di riferimento per fotocamere.
Tower Semiconductor y AIStorm anunciaron el Cheetah HS, un sensor de dominio de carga de 120x80 píxeles que integra una primera capa de red neuronal analógica y captura hasta 260.000 fotogramas por segundo, descrito como 2.000–4.000x más rápido que los sensores CMOS convencionales. La capa neuronal on-chip en dominio de carga emite flujos de pulsos para el procesamiento posterior, reduciendo la necesidad de costosos convertidores de datos de alta velocidad e interfaces.
El chip incluye un controlador LED integrado programable hasta 40 mA, mejora el rendimiento en condiciones de poca luz y está orientado a robótica, drones, inspección industrial, seguimiento de seguridad, biometría y análisis deportivo. Cheetah HS está disponible ahora como chip y en sistemas de cámara de referencia.
Tower Semiconductor와 AIStorm은 120x80 픽셀의 전하 도메인 이미지 센서 Cheetah HS를 발표했습니다. 이 센서는 1층 아날로그 신경망을 내장하고 최대 초당 260,000프레임을 촬영하며, 기존 CMOS 센서보다 2,000–4,000배 빠르다고 설명됩니다. 온칩 전하 도메인 뉴런 층은 후속 처리용 펄스 스트림을 출력하여 고속 데이터 컨버터와 인터페이스 비용을 줄여줍니다.
이 칩은 최대 40 mA로 프로그래밍 가능한 통합 LED 드라이버를 포함하고 저조도 성능이 향상되었으며, 로봇공학, 드론, 제조 검사, 보안 추적, 생체인식 및 스포츠 분석 시장을 겨냥합니다. Cheetah HS는 칩 단품과 레퍼런스 카메라 시스템으로 지금 이용 가능합니다.
Tower Semiconductor et AIStorm ont annoncé le Cheetah HS, un capteur en domaine de charge de 120x80 pixels qui intègre une première couche neuronale analogique et capture jusqu'à 260 000 images par seconde, décrit comme 2 000–4 000x plus rapide que les capteurs CMOS classiques. La couche neuronale en charge sur puce délivre des flux d'impulsions pour le traitement en aval, réduisant le besoin de convertisseurs de données et d'interfaces haute vitesse coûteux.
La puce intègre un pilote LED programmable jusqu'à 40 mA, améliore les performances en faible luminosité et s'adresse aux marchés de la robotique, des drones, de l'inspection industrielle, du suivi de sécurité, de la biométrie et de l'analyse sportive. Le Cheetah HS est disponible dès maintenant en tant que puce et dans des systèmes de référence pour caméras.
Tower Semiconductor und AIStorm haben den Cheetah HS vorgestellt, einen 120x80-Pixel-Ladedomänen-Bildsensor, der eine analoge neuronale Netzwerkschicht integriert und bis zu 260.000 Bilder pro Sekunde aufnimmt – angegeben als 2.000–4.000x schneller als herkömmliche CMOS-Sensoren. Die On-Chip-Ladedomäne-Neuronenschicht liefert Pulsströme für die nachgelagerte Verarbeitung und reduziert den Bedarf an teuren Hochgeschwindigkeits-Datenwandlern und Schnittstellen.
Der Chip enthält einen integrierten LED-Treiber, programmierbar bis 40 mA, bietet verbesserte Low-Light-Leistung und richtet sich an Robotik, Drohnen, Fertigungsinspektion, Sicherheitsverfolgung, Biometrie und Sportanalyse. Cheetah HS ist jetzt verfügbar als Chip und in Referenz-Kamerasystemen.
- Very high capture rate: up to 260,000 fps, claimed to be 2,000–4,000x faster than conventional CMOS sensors
- On-chip analog AI layer: charge-domain neuron outputs reduce need for separate high-speed data converters, lowering BOM and power
- Immediate availability: Cheetah HS is offered as a chip and in reference-camera systems, enabling faster customer evaluation and sampling
- Wide target markets: positioned for robotics, drones, inspection, security, biometrics and sports analysis, indicating broad addressable use cases
- No production or volume guidance: the filing does not disclose manufacturing scale, unit pricing, or expected revenue contribution
- No customer commitments disclosed: there are no announced design wins, purchase orders, or tier-1 customers in the release
- Integration unknowns: the press release does not provide details on downstream compatibility or performance of pulse-stream outputs in customer systems
Insights
TL;DR Product showcases Tower's charge-domain CMOS image sensor capability but lacks financial or volume details to assess near-term revenue impact.
Tower's role as the foundry partner for a high-speed, charge-domain imager highlights a differentiated process capability in CMOS image sensor and analog charge-domain integration. The 260k fps claim and embedded analog neuron layer are technical differentiators that could support design wins across industrial and edge markets. However, the release provides no information on production capacity, expected unit pricing, customer engagements, or margins, so investor impact is currently strategic rather than quantifiable.
TL;DR Cheetah HS's on-pixel analog neural layer and 260k fps capability are technically significant for ultra-high-speed, low-power edge vision applications.
The combination of charge-domain pixel processing with an integrated first-layer analog neural network can materially reduce BOM and system power by avoiding separate high-speed ADCs and interfaces. Programmable frame rates and an integrated LED driver (up to 40 mA) make the design versatile for inspection, motion analysis and embedded tracking. Actual system-level benefits will depend on downstream integration, algorithm compatibility with pulse-stream outputs, and volume economics.
Tower Semiconductor e AIStorm hanno presentato il Cheetah HS, un sensore a dominio di carica da 120x80 pixel che integra un primo strato neurale analogico e acquisisce fino a 260.000 fotogrammi al secondo, descritto come 2.000–4.000x più veloce rispetto ai sensori CMOS convenzionali. Lo strato neuronale on-chip a dominio di carica genera flussi di impulsi per l'elaborazione a valle, riducendo la necessità di costosi convertitori di dati ad alta velocità e relative interfacce.
Il chip include un driver LED integrato programmabile fino a 40 mA, offre prestazioni migliorate in condizioni di scarsa illuminazione ed è destinato ai mercati della robotica, dei droni, dell'ispezione industriale, del tracciamento per la sicurezza, della biometria e dell'analisi sportiva. Il Cheetah HS è disponibile ora come chip e in sistemi di riferimento per fotocamere.
Tower Semiconductor y AIStorm anunciaron el Cheetah HS, un sensor de dominio de carga de 120x80 píxeles que integra una primera capa de red neuronal analógica y captura hasta 260.000 fotogramas por segundo, descrito como 2.000–4.000x más rápido que los sensores CMOS convencionales. La capa neuronal on-chip en dominio de carga emite flujos de pulsos para el procesamiento posterior, reduciendo la necesidad de costosos convertidores de datos de alta velocidad e interfaces.
El chip incluye un controlador LED integrado programable hasta 40 mA, mejora el rendimiento en condiciones de poca luz y está orientado a robótica, drones, inspección industrial, seguimiento de seguridad, biometría y análisis deportivo. Cheetah HS está disponible ahora como chip y en sistemas de cámara de referencia.
Tower Semiconductor와 AIStorm은 120x80 픽셀의 전하 도메인 이미지 센서 Cheetah HS를 발표했습니다. 이 센서는 1층 아날로그 신경망을 내장하고 최대 초당 260,000프레임을 촬영하며, 기존 CMOS 센서보다 2,000–4,000배 빠르다고 설명됩니다. 온칩 전하 도메인 뉴런 층은 후속 처리용 펄스 스트림을 출력하여 고속 데이터 컨버터와 인터페이스 비용을 줄여줍니다.
이 칩은 최대 40 mA로 프로그래밍 가능한 통합 LED 드라이버를 포함하고 저조도 성능이 향상되었으며, 로봇공학, 드론, 제조 검사, 보안 추적, 생체인식 및 스포츠 분석 시장을 겨냥합니다. Cheetah HS는 칩 단품과 레퍼런스 카메라 시스템으로 지금 이용 가능합니다.
Tower Semiconductor et AIStorm ont annoncé le Cheetah HS, un capteur en domaine de charge de 120x80 pixels qui intègre une première couche neuronale analogique et capture jusqu'à 260 000 images par seconde, décrit comme 2 000–4 000x plus rapide que les capteurs CMOS classiques. La couche neuronale en charge sur puce délivre des flux d'impulsions pour le traitement en aval, réduisant le besoin de convertisseurs de données et d'interfaces haute vitesse coûteux.
La puce intègre un pilote LED programmable jusqu'à 40 mA, améliore les performances en faible luminosité et s'adresse aux marchés de la robotique, des drones, de l'inspection industrielle, du suivi de sécurité, de la biométrie et de l'analyse sportive. Le Cheetah HS est disponible dès maintenant en tant que puce et dans des systèmes de référence pour caméras.
Tower Semiconductor und AIStorm haben den Cheetah HS vorgestellt, einen 120x80-Pixel-Ladedomänen-Bildsensor, der eine analoge neuronale Netzwerkschicht integriert und bis zu 260.000 Bilder pro Sekunde aufnimmt – angegeben als 2.000–4.000x schneller als herkömmliche CMOS-Sensoren. Die On-Chip-Ladedomäne-Neuronenschicht liefert Pulsströme für die nachgelagerte Verarbeitung und reduziert den Bedarf an teuren Hochgeschwindigkeits-Datenwandlern und Schnittstellen.
Der Chip enthält einen integrierten LED-Treiber, programmierbar bis 40 mA, bietet verbesserte Low-Light-Leistung und richtet sich an Robotik, Drohnen, Fertigungsinspektion, Sicherheitsverfolgung, Biometrie und Sportanalyse. Cheetah HS ist jetzt verfügbar als Chip und in Referenz-Kamerasystemen.
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TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
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Date: August 12, 2025
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By:
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/s/ Nati Somekh | |
| Name: Nati Somekh | |||
| Title: Corporate Secretary | |||
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Adjustable frame rate up to 260,000 frames per second (fps)
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Integrated LED driver (programmable up to 40 mA)
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Enhanced low light performance
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Integrated charge-domain neuron layer outputting pulse streams for downstream neural-network layers or raw high-speed video
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Dramatic cost advantage over competitors
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Lowers processing costs by capturing images quickly, leaving more time per frame for processing
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Ability to capture extremely high-speed events and analyze them in slow motion
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Tim Cox, ZingPR for AIStorm | tim@zingpr.com
FAQ
What is the Cheetah HS introduced by Tower Semiconductor (TSEM) and AIStorm?
What are the key performance specifications of Cheetah HS?
Which applications do Tower and AIStorm target with Cheetah HS?
Is Cheetah HS available for evaluation or purchase?
Does the filing state any financial impact for Tower Semiconductor (TSEM)?
How does Cheetah HS reduce system cost and power?
