Catalyst Semiconductor Introduces Lead and Halogen Free Packages; Environmentally Safe Products.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2002 Catalyst Semiconductor (Nasdaq:CATS), a major worldwide EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) A rewritable memory chip that holds its content without power. Although EEPROMs spawned flash memory, EEPROMs are byte addressable at the write level, whereas flash chips must erase a block of bytes before rewriting. memory supplier, announced today its environmentally safe lead-free package initiative. Catalyst now offers lead-free packages for its popular SPI (1) (Stateful Packet Inspection) See stateful inspection. (2) (Service Provider Interface) The programming interface for developing Windows drivers under WOSA. (TM), I2C I2C Inter-Integrated Circuit I2C Intelligent Interface Controller I2C Intelligent Controller (R) and Microwire(TM) serial EEPROM memory integrated circuits Integrated circuits Miniature electronic circuits produced within and upon a single semiconductor crystal, usually silicon. Integrated circuits range in complexity from simple logic circuits and amplifiers, about 1/20 in. (1. . The new lead-free packages are an environment friendly alternative to lead-based packages. "Catalyst can now support OEMs with fully qualified, lead-free packages," said Catalyst Director of Quality Dan Terry. "This is especially important for customers in Japan and Europe. Lead-free packages are becoming a primary purchasing requirement for major electronic system suppliers, and Catalyst plans to lead the industry with lead-free package innovation." Catalyst Semiconductor has partnered with Orient Semiconductor Electronics (OSE OSE - Open Systems Environment ), a prominent supplier of semiconductor manufacturing services with operations in the Philippines, for lead-free package technology. "We are very pleased Catalyst has been one of the early adopters of our lead-free assembly and packaging technology," said S. K. Chew, president of OSE, Philippines. "Our technology and material specialists have provided Catalyst with an environmentally safe product with lead-free lead plating, a halogen-free package compound and a die-attach epoxy suitable for lead-free packages." Price and Availability Lead-free packages are offered at the same competitive price as devices with lead-based leads. Catalyst Semiconductor and its sub-contract partners have completed qualification and initial qualification devices have shipped to prospective customers. Catalyst will continue to offer both lead-based and lead-free package options. Initial products with the lead-free package option are SPI, I2C and Microwire serial EEPROMs. For other device types or questions about availability and volume prices, contact Catalyst Semiconductor or any Catalyst regional sales office. About Catalyst Semiconductor 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 (Non-Volatile RAM) May refer to dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM) chips that are backed up by a battery or to non-volatile chips such as flash memory. See non-volatile memory, dynamic RAM, static RAM and solid state disk. , Digitally Programmable Potentiometers (DPP DPP - Dining Philosophers Problem (TM)), 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 (Dual In-Line Memory Module) A printed circuit board that holds memory chips and plugs into a DIMM socket on the motherboard. See memory module. DIMM - Dual In-Line Memory Module modules, cellular telephones, digital satellite box receivers, set-top boxes and Internet routers. Catalyst's Quality Management System is ISO (1) See ISO speed. (2) (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, www.iso.ch) An organization that sets international standards, founded in 1946. The U.S. member body is ANSI. 9001 certified. For additional information about Catalyst Semiconductor, please visit our web site at www.catalyst-semiconductor.com. About Orient Semiconductor Electronics, Ltd. (OSE) OSE consists of two business groups -- the Finished Products Group and the Semiconductor Group. Together they make OSE one of the world's leading companies in the industry. The Finished Products Group is among the top 30 worldwide in the electronics manufacturing services Electronic manufacturing services (EMS) is term used for companies that design, test, manufacture, distribute and provide return/repair services for electronic component and assemblies for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). industry. The Semiconductor Group is ranked among the top five internationally in the IC packaging and testing industry. Established in 1971, OSE provides electronics manufacturing services and IC packaging and testing services to more than 70 customers in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. With headquarters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, OSE now has 4,800 experienced employees, 37 automated SMT (1) (Surface Mount Technology) See surface mount. (2) (Station ManagemenT) An FDDI network management protocol that provides direct management. Only one node requires the software. SMT - Station Management lines and 1,560 wire bonders. OSE's turnover reached NT$9.7 billion in 1999. OSE has been listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSEC) Established in 1961, the only centralized securities market in Taiwan. since 1994. OSE started its Philippine operation in 1999. Contact information for OSE is: S. K. Chew, President Orient Semiconductor Electronics Phils., Inc. 6 King Road, Light Industry & Science Park II Brgy. Lamesa, Calamba, Laguna 4027, Philippines Telephone: (63) 49-545-7188 ext. 1003 Fax: (63) 49-545-7261 Email: sk_chew@ose.com.ph Web: www.ose.com.tw 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 Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended April 30, 2001 and Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. for the quarters ended July 31, 2001, October 31, 2001, and January 21, 2002. Editor Note: DPP(TM) is a trademark of Catalyst Semiconductor. SPI(TM) is a trademark of Motorola, Inc. I2C is a trademark of Philips. Microwire(TM) is a trademark of National Semiconductor. In I2C the 2 is superscript Any letter, digit or symbol that appears above the line. For example, 10 to the 9th power is written with the 9 in superscript (109). Contrast with subscript. . An electronic image can be downloaded at www.catalyst-semiconductor.com/editors. |
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