News Article July 6, 2004

Catalyst Announces Low Noise, Controlled Inrush Current Regulated Charge Pumps For Battery-Powered Handheld Applications

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--July 6,, 2004--Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ:CATS) today expanded its mixed-signal IC product family with the introduction of the CAT3200-5 and CAT3200 boost power converters. These regulated output charge pumps are designed for very low noise operation implementing a constant switching frequency of 2MHz that allows the use of small 1-microfarad ceramic capacitors. The devices are designed to continuously monitor and control the inrush current during power-up, and are ideal for battery-powered applications. A shutdown feature disconnects the load from VIN and reduces quiescent current to well under 1 microampere. The devices can survive a continuous short-circuit from VOUT to GND.

The CAT3200-5 is a fixed 5V regulated output charge pump power converter, available in a thin SOT23 package. It is a general purpose device for handheld applications that require a regulated, or boosted, voltage higher than the supply voltage. It is designed to address cost critical applications found in wireless and other small handheld devices. Operating from input voltage down to 2.7V, it is well suited for lithium-ion battery powered devices that require a 5V fixed bias for an ASIC, as well as USB peripherals. It provides a solution to drive LEDs in parallel, using ballast resistors to set the current, in LCD backlighting and color indicator applications.

An adjustable output version, the CAT3200, available in an 8-pin MSOP package, is also a general purpose power converter well suited for driving LEDs in parallel, using an external resistor on the feedback pin to set the LED current.

“With the increasing demand for small, low power consumption portable devices, the need for tighter control of the peak battery current is becoming more critical. The CAT3200 provides a “soft-start” where the charge pump controls in-rush current to an acceptable level, while providing a fully-regulated output voltage that uses a 2MHz charge pump that drives loads up to 100mA,” said Barr Karagozlu, Product Marketing Manager.

CAT3200/CAT3200-5 Applications
• USB Peripherals
• Handheld and Battery-Powered Devices
• White LED Backlighting

Product Features
• Low Noise Operation with 2MHz Constant Switching Frequency
• Output Current: 100mA
• Fixed 5V Output (CAT3200-5) or Adjustable Output (CAT3200)
• VIN Range: 2.7V to 4.5V
• Automatic Soft-Start Reduces Inrush Current
• Requires Only Small Value Ceramic Capacitors (1 microfarad)
• Zero Current in Shutdown Mode
• Short Circuit Protection
• Under Voltage Lockout

Price and Green Package Availability
The CAT3200-5 is available in a thin, 1mm maximum height, 6-lead SOT23 package; price in 3,000 piece quantities is $0.85. The CAT3200 is available in a space-saving, 8-lead MSOP package; price in 3,000 piece quantities is $0.94. Samples are available now; production quantities are expected to be available in Q3 2004. All packages are available in environment friendly “green” packages that are halogen and lead free.

About Catalyst Semiconductor
Founded in 1985, Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The Company’s products include nonvolatile memories, such as Flash Memories, Serial and Parallel EEPROMs with I2C, SPI and Microwire interfaces, and NVRAM; as well as analog/mixed-signal products, such as Digitally Programmable Potentiometers, Microcontroller Supervisory circuits, White LED Drivers, and other mixed-signal products. Catalyst products are used in telecommunications, networking systems, computation, automotive, industrial and consumer markets. Typical applications include LCD displays, automotive instrumentation, optical networks, modems, wireless LANs, network cards, DIMM modules, cellular telephones, digital satellite box receivers, set-top boxes and Internet routers. Catalyst's Quality Management System is ISO 9001:2000 certified. For additional information about Catalyst Semiconductor, visit our web site at: www.catalyst-semiconductor.com.

Forward Looking Statements
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 the Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2004, and more recent Forms 10-Q.

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Editor Notes:

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

2. The “2” in I2C is superscript.

3. Electronic images are available at: www.catalyst-semiconductor.com/editor.