National Semiconductor expects big hit in the radio frequency market with its PLLatinum Series of dual phase-locked loops.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 1995--National Semiconductor announced today the availability of its high performance (up to 2.5 GHz) PLLatinum series dual phase-locked-loop (PLL) integrated circuits.

These additions to the PLLatinum series is the second generation of Silicon Radio Frequency (SiRF) products to be introduced by National. The new series of dual PLLs offer lower power consumption, smaller package size, and significantly improved performance over competitive offerings.

By offering superior performance, low cost, and small size in its silicon-based circuits, National expects to capture a significant share of the worldwide RF silicon content and is rapidly displacing its competitors as the preferred supplier in the high-frequency, radio transceiver components market.

"The PLLatinum series of dual PLLs operates with the lowest noise floor of any PLL device on the market," said Greg Ravenscroft, product marketing manager of National's Wireless Communications Group. "This is especially important to designers of the latest generation of digital cellular and PCS systems, because even small amounts of PLL generated noise directly impacts the radio's receiver sensitivity and may inject unwanted signals on the transmit stage. The PLLatinum family of dual PLLs reduces this noise to almost negligible levels. We accomplished this by paying close attention to the design of the charge pump, package pinouts and design techniques learned from the PLLatinum series of single PLLs."

Because virtually all radio transceivers, such as cellular phones, cordless phones, and the emerging personal communication systems (PCSs), contain multiple PLLs, National has developed the LMX2330, LMX2331 and LMX2332 to address these markets.

With the primary (RF) PLL operating at frequencies up to 1.2 GHz, 2.0 GHz, and 2.5 GHz (LMX2332, LMX2331, AND LMX2330 respectively), the PLLatinum series of dual PLLs integrates a second PLL that operates to 510 MHz, for applications where a second IF (intermediate frequency) Stage is used in the receiver (an architecture common in most cellular phones). Packaged in the ultra-small 20-pin, 1 mm thick TSSOP, the PLLatinum series of dual PLLs offers the smallest package size for this kind of product at a low cost.

National projects that the total wireless silicon market will grow from $1.49 billion in 1994 to $3.23 billion in the year 2000. With as many as four frequency synthesizers in every radio transceiver, National expects the PLL portion of this market in 1994 alone to be over $199 million.

"National's PLL customer base includes the world leading companies that design and manufacture wireless communications products, ranging from such digital standards as IS-54, IS-95, GSM, DCS1800, JDC and PHS," explained Chris Tubis, director of the Wireless Communications Group. "In addition, the PLLatinum devices can be used for private mobile radio (PMR), direct broadcast satellite (DBS), global positioning systems (GPS). These applications demand light weight and small size for portability, and low operating voltage, low noise and higher operating frequencies."

The members of the PLLatinum series of dual PLLs are the LMX2330 (2.5 GHz and 510 MHz), the LMX2331 (2.0 GHz and 510 MHz), and the LMX2332 (1.2 GHz and 510 MHz). All are fabricated in National's ABiC IV BiCMOS process, which enables the integration of RF, high performance analog, and digital functions onto a single integrated circuit.

National's new dual PLLs are the latest addition to the PLLatinum series of frequency synthesizers which also include a full line of single PLLs.

For the dual PLLs, pricing will vary based on features and package options. Thousand unit pricing ranges from $4.75 to $9.95 per unit.

National Semiconductor Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets high-performance semiconductor products worldwide. National is the leading supplier of silicon and systems for moving and shaping information. With annual sales exceeding $2.3 billion, National Semiconductor is the fourth largest US semiconductor manufacturer, and employs 23,000 people worldwide.

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Note to Editors: PLLatinum, SiRF, and ABiC IV are trademarks of National Semiconductor Corp. Other products and services are trademarked by their respective companies.

CONTACT: National Semiconductor

Robert Barlow, 408/721-3892