News Article July 26, 2007

Catalyst Announces High-Efficiency 7W Buck LED Driver in TSOT-23 Package

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--July 26, 2007 --Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ:CATS)a supplier of analog, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory semiconductors, today announced its innovative buck converter in a TSOT-23 package optimized for driving high-brightness, 350mA LEDs at up 94 percent efficiency. The first device in a new family of buck converters, the CAT4201 incorporates Catalyst’s patent-pending switching control algorithm. This new architecture reduces system complexity, improves efficiency and allows an external RSET control resistor to preset a regulated LED current up to 350mA from supplies as high as 24 volts, to provide better inductor control and eliminate the need for a dedicated heat sink.

The CAT4201 buck converter offers a simpler and significantly smaller alternative to linear regulators for driving high-brightness LEDs in step-down applications, eliminating the need for heatsinks. Additionally, built-in load dump protection allows transients of 40 volts to be safely handled, fully optimizing the CAT4201 for automotive indicator and illumination lighting applications, including turn signal, brake and map reading lights.

Traditionally, LEDs from 12V or 24V buses have been driven by linear regulators, which generate a significant amount of heat, resulting in the need for a dedicated heat sink and, therefore, a very large TO263 package. The patent-pending switching architecture of the CAT4201 lets designers easily control the average current with a single external resistor. This results in extremely low internal power dissipation allowing the CAT4201 to be housed in a tiny, 5-lead TSOT-23 package without the need for a dedicated heat sink. Additionally, the device is compatible with switching frequencies up to 1MHz, making it ideal for applications requiring small-footprint, low-cost external inductors.

Customer Application: EZM Lighting

EZM Lighting, a leading manufacturer of safety lighting for traffic environments has designed the CAT4201 into its latest tunnel lighting products. According to Fabiano Paoletto, R&D Manager for EZM Lighting, “Until now, linear regulators provided an adequate solution for our existing, medium-power lighting products. However, as we expanded our product line to include the latest high-power LEDs, driver efficiency and package thermal dissipation issues became critical. The CAT4201 provides a simple yet effective solution, allowing our products to double their lighting power capability without the need for dedicated heatsinking.”

The CAT4201 can drive one 1W LED from a 6V supply or up to 7 LEDs in series from a 24V supply. A dedicated enable control using minimal input current allows the load to be disabled and placed into a zero current shutdown mode, eliminating battery drain when not in use. Protection against short-circuit and thermal overload fault conditions is also included.

About Catalyst Semiconductor
Founded in 1985, Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The Company produces analog and mixed signal products in addition to an extensive range of non-volatile memories. The analog and mixed-signal product lines include Digitally Programmable Potentiometers (DPP™), white and color LED drivers, DC/DC converters, voltage supervisors, linear regulators and I/O expanders. 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
Certain statements in this press release are forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include references to product availability and lead times. Risks from interruptions in our manufacturing processes and the processes of our foundries and vendors, as well as fluctuations in customer demand and unpredictability of market demand are factors that could affect product availability and lead times. More information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained under the section “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, 2006 and Forms 10-Q for the subsequent three fiscal quarters.

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Editor Notes:

1. Trademark notices: DPP is a trademark of Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.