CUSTOMER ADVISORY DATE CODE FORMAT Effective immediately, Altera will adopt a six character date code format. This advisory summarizes and explains the format of Altera's date codes on the top-side mark and on the bar code labels. PCNs 9501 and 9612 issued Jan'95 and Jun'96, respectively, announced Altera's intent to test devices offshore. As Altera expands its test operations world-wide, it becomes increasingly important to maintain complete traceability by identifying the test locations on individual units, as well as on bar-code labels affixed to boxes. The five character top mark date-code has now been universally expanded to six, so as to uniquely identify the test location via the first character. Altera's bar-code labeling software has also been upgraded to support a six character date code on the bar code labels affixed to boxes. The new labels will continue to maintain compatibility with the EIA format. Altera's six character date code format (XZYYWW) will be as follows: X (ALPHA) A B C ... TEST LOCATION ALTERA, USA ASE, MALAYSIA ANAM, KOREA TBA Z (ALPHA) DIE REVISION YY (NUMERIC ) YEAR WW (NUMERIC) WORK WEEK During an initial transition period, some date codes may appear with 5 characters. Please contact your local Altera sales representative if you require additional information, or assistance regarding the changes described in this advisory. ALTERA Corporation 8/26/96 ADV9617