Catalyst Semiconductor Expands Mixed-Signal Products With Digitally Programmable Potentiometers.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2002

Catalyst Semiconductor (Nasdaq:CATS) today announced that two new Digitally Programmable Potentiometer (DPP(TM)) integrated circuits have been added to its AE2 (TM) (Analog EEPROM) mixed-signal product line. The new CAT5111 and CAT5113 have 100-taps, or steps of resolution, and are controlled over a simple 3-wire, digital up/down increment interface. The CAT5111 features a buffered wiper and can be used as a three-terminal voltage divider. The non-buffered CAT5113 can be used as a two-terminal variable resistor or as a three-terminal resistive divider. Both devices have 1-percent resolution and resistance value options of 10 kohms or 100 kohms.

"The new 100-tap DPPs complement our existing 32- and 256-tap products," said Gary Craig, product marketing manger for Catalyst DPP products. "Digital adjustment, low-cost integrated circuit technology, package options and compatibility with volume manufacturing practices make DPPs(TM), Digitally Programmable Potentiometers, the most versatile adjustment technology available. In-system adjustment and setting capability makes DPP technology the only option in many systems. DPP products will capture a significant portion of new designs that traditionally have relied on mechanical potentiometers. Low-cost, reliability, digital control and manufacturing ease are the factors driving the change."

Nonvolatile Memory Maintains Wiper Position After Power Loss

Wiper position is stored in nonvolatile memory and is not lost when device power is removed. In addition, wiper position can be adjusted to test new system values without changing the stored wiper position.

CAT5111, CAT5113 Product Comparison

The CAT5111 uses a buffer configured operational amplifier to minimize errors if there is potential wiper loading. Operating voltage range is 2.5 volts to 6.0 volts. Supply current is a low 100 microamperes maximum.

Part     Number   Resistance      Buffered   Digital Interface
         of Taps                    Wiper

CAT5111   100    10 and 100 kohm    Yes      3-wire, Increment Up/Down
CAT5113   100    10 and 100 kohm    No       3-wire, Increment Up/Down


The CAT5111 and CAT5113 have the same pinout.

Pricing, Availability and Packages

The CAT5111 and CAT5113 are offered in 8-lead DIP and 8-lead surface mount SOIC, MSOP and TSSOP packages. Both commercial, 0 to 70 degree centigrade, and industrial, -40 to 85 degree centigrade, operating temperature range devices are available.

Samples of the CAT5111 and CAT5113 are available now, with volume production scheduled for the first quarter of 2002. The CAT5111 is priced at $0.75 each in 1000-lot units and the CAT5113 is priced at $0.70 each in 1000-lot units.

DPP(TM) Advantages over Mechanical Potentiometers

For decades, Trimpots(R) and other mechanical potentiometers have been universally employed in electronic circuitry. They are used in millions of electronic products, for every conceivable application. Yet, until quite recently, electronic potentiometers were not sufficiently cost-competitive to be considered a viable alternative. However, with improved productivity and yields from Catalyst's sub-micron CMOS manufacturing processes, electronic potentiometers are now cost-competitive with mechanical potentiometers and, for many applications, actually provide a lower total system cost.

Digitally programmable potentiometers, DPPs(TM), offer many benefits for both the design and manufacturing engineer. They have better settability, drift specifications and cycle-life specifications than mechanical potentiometers. They fit into smaller spaces with multiple potentiometers possible in a single package. They provide superior tracking between multiple potentiometers. It is easier to change a setting with electronic potentiometers and accurately change it back. Using industry standard IC packages, they are machine-insertable and offer far better resilience to contaminants encountered in a manufacturing environment.

DPP Applications

Potential applications include optical networking, telecommunications, instrumentation, white goods, power supplies, power meters, temperature controllers, smart instruments, personal communication devices, office equipment, automatic test equipment, Internet appliances, cell phones, industrial process controllers and communication systems.

About Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.

Founded in 1985, Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The Company designs and markets a broad range of programmable products including Flash Memories, Serial and Parallel EEPROMs with I2C, SPI and Microwire interfaces, NVRAM, Digitally Programmable Potentiometers, Microcontroller Supervisory circuits and other programmable Mixed Signal products. Catalyst products are used in telecommunications, networking systems, computation, automotive, industrial and consumer markets. Typical applications 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. For additional information about Catalyst Semiconductor, visit our 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. Factors which could cause actual results to differ from expectations include the following: economic conditions in the market generally and in the semiconductor industry specifically, volatility in supply and demand affecting revenues and market prices, price and availability of silicon foundry, assembly and test subcontract capacity required to meet financial targets and/or meet backlog requirements, risks and delays associated with bringing up new production capabilities with deliveries from subcontractors, timing and market acceptance of new products, increased expenses associated with new product introductions or process changes, delays in developing or achieving volume production of new products, which can result in delays or failure to contribute to revenues and profits, ability of the Company to maintain its customer and vendor base and delays in and/or inability in raising additional capital. 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, 2001 and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended July 31, 2001, and October 31, 2001.

Note to Editors: I2C(TM) is a trademark of Philips Corporation.

DPP(TM), DPPs(TM) and AE2(TM) are trademarks of Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. Trimpot(R) is a registered trademark of Bourns, Inc.

An electronic image is available at www.catalyst-semiconductor.com/editors .