News Article May 31, 2006

Catalyst Semiconductor Delivers Simple, Small White LED Driver Optimized for High-Volume 3-LED Applications

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--May 31, 2006--Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ:CATS)a supplier of analog, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory semiconductors, today further expanded its family of LED drivers with the CAT3603; a tiny, simple-to-use, high-efficiency fractional charge pump. The new device is optimized for high-volume, three-LED backlighting display applications in cellular phones, digital still cameras and handheld devices.

Mainstream, high-volume consumer handheld and portable systems require feature-rich functions, long battery life and small size, at very low cost. Today, this typically means implementing a cost-effective three-LED configuration for color LCD backlighting. The CAT3603 is targeted specifically at these cost-sensitive, high-volume applications by providing simplicity and high efficiency in a tiny 3x3mm package.

The CAT3603 gives system designers the flexibility to select the desired LED brightness (1mA to 30mA) via a single external low-cost resistor. This simple solution eliminates the need for a complex interface control. Additionally, tightly matched output channels provide accurate illumination of up to three LEDs, resulting in uniform backlighting of the color LCD panel.

An automatic 1x/1.5x fractional charge pump maximizes battery life, allowing the CAT3603 to deliver up to 91 percent power efficiency. When disabled, the device enters Zero current shutdown mode, eliminating battery drain when not in use. Protection against short-circuit and thermal overload fault conditions is also included.

The cost-effective CAT3603, with its tiny, 3x3mm, 12-lead low-profile (0.8mm) TDFN package, expands Catalysts LED drivers by building on the Companys earlier, CAT3604 device, which drives four LEDs and the CAT3606, which drives six LEDs, both in a 4x4mm 16-lead QFN package.

About Catalyst Semiconductor
Founded in 1985, Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The Company produces analog and mixed signal products in addition to an extensive range of nonvolatile memories. The analog and mixed-signal product lines include Digitally Programmable Potentiometers (DPP™), Microcontroller Supervisory circuits, White and Color LED Drivers and DC/DC converters. The memory product lines consist of Serial and Parallel EEPROMs, Flash and NVRAM. Catalyst devices 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. All Catalyst products are available in green lead- and halogen-free versions with full RoHS compliance. For additional information about Catalyst Semiconductor, visit our website at: www.catsemi.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may be forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, references to product availability and lead times. Many factors can affect product availability, lead times, prices and margins, including interruptions in our manufacturing processes and those of our foundries and vendors, unpredictable customer demand, and the cyclicality of the semiconductor. More information about 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 Companys Future Results of Operations listed from time-to-time in Catalysts SEC reports including, but not limited to, the report on the Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2005 and Forms 10-Q for the subsequent three fiscal quarters.

###

Editor Notes:

1. Electronic images are available at: www.catsemi.com/editor