Catalyst Semiconductor 128-bit EEPROM Reduces PCB Area by 40 Percent.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2003

Catalyst Semiconductor (NASDAQ: CATS) today announced the 128-bit CAT24C00 serial EEPROM memory integrated circuit. New technology allows the CAT24C00 to be packaged in a compact, 5-pin SOT23 package that requires 40 percent less printed circuit board area than an MSOP package.

This small 5-pin SOT23 package is ideal for identification applications in asset management and control. An electronic serial number or traceability information is easily stored in the non-volatile, 128-bit CAT24C00. Recording product flow traceability information or an ID number requires a few bits of data. In the past, 1-2kbit EEPROMs have been used for ID applications, but these require larger packages than the CAT24C00.

The low power CAT24C00 operates from 1.8V to 5.5V with standby current under 0.9 microamperes. Data is transferred over a high-speed 400 kHz I2C serial bus. The CAT24C00 EEPROM memory is organized as 16 words of 8 bits each.

Able to support 1-million program/erase cycles and 100 year data retention, the CAT24C00 is ideal for serial number, ID tag, smart-sensor set-up, and system initialization applications.

Price, Packages and Availability

The CAT24C00 is offered in 8-pin DIP, TSSOP and SO packages as well as an area saving 5-lead SOT-23 package. Automotive, extended automotive and industrial temperature range devices are offered. Lead-free, halogen-free packages are also available as an option.

Prices start at $0.13 in 10,000 piece quantities. Samples are available now. Production is scheduled for June 2003.

Data sheets are available at www.catalyst-semiconductor.com.

About Catalyst Semiconductor

Founded in 1985, Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The Company is a developer and marketer of programmable products used in telecommunications, networking systems, computation, automotive, industrial and consumer markets. The Company designs and markets a broad range of programmable products including Flash Memories, Parallel and Serial EEPROMs with I2C, SPI and Microwire interfaces, NVRAMs, Digitally Programmable Potentiometers, Microcontroller Supervisory circuits and other programmable Mixed Signal products. Typical applications for the Company's products include optical networks, modems, wireless LANs, network cards, PC BIOS, DIMM modules, cellular telephones, digital satellite box receivers, set-top boxes and Internet routers. Catalyst's Quality Management System is ISO 9001 certified. Additional information about Catalyst Semiconductor is available on the Company's web site at www.catalyst-semiconductor.com.

Except for those statements that report the Company's historical results, the statements being made are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained under the heading "Certain Factors That May Affect the Company's Future Results of Operations" listed from time to time in Catalyst's SEC reports including but not limited to the report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2002, and to the reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended July 31, 2002, October 31, 2002, and January 31, 2003.

Editor Notes:

Trademark notices: DPP is a trademark of Catalyst Semiconductor. I2C is a registered trademark of Philips Corporation. SPI is a trademark of Motorola, Inc. Microwire is a trademark of National Semiconductor.