News Article April 2, 2008

New 32-Tap Digital Potentiometer from Catalyst Semiconductor Offers Simple Up/Down Control for Easy Digital Interface

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--April 2, 2008--Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ:CATS)a supplier of analog, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory semiconductors has added a new 32-tap device to its extensive family of Digitally Programmable Potentiometers (DPP™). The CAT5128 is a volatile, single-pot device with a simple up/down control to provide an easy-to-use digital interface.

Housed in a small, SOT-23, 8-lead package, the new CAT5128 digital potentiometer is ideal for a wide range of control and calibration applications, such as digital volume control and LCD screen contrast and brightness adjustment applications in portable, consumer and industrial electronic products, as well as automated, tamper-proof product calibration and remote control adjustment applications. The up/down control interface can be configured to work directly with the system microprocessor or with two external push-button switches.

The CAT5128 is a “volatile” device where the wiper powers on at the midscale setting and offers a low-noise, stable, reliable and simple alternative to DACs and mechanical potentiometers. DAC-based approaches typically require additional interconnects resulting in added board real estate and system costs. Additionally, since the device is silicon-based, it is insensitive to mechanical vibrations, shock and oxidation, making it a higher reliability alternative to mechanical potentiometers across most environmental conditions.

About Catalyst Semiconductor
Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Catalyst Semiconductor designs and markets analog, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory products, including Digitally Programmable Potentiometers (DPP™), white and color LED drivers, DC/DC converters, LDO regulators, voltage supervisors, bus expanders, serial and parallel EEPROMs, Flash and NVRAM. Many of Catalyst’s products incorporate the Company’s Quantum Charge Programmable™ technology, to deliver Adaptive Analog™ products, which offer a new level of customer flexibility, lower power and smaller die size. Catalyst products are used in telecommunications, computer, automotive, industrial and consumer markets. Typical applications include LCD displays, automotive lighting, optical networks, printers, modems, wireless LANs, network cards, DIMM modules, cellular telephones, navigation systems, set-top boxes and Internet routers. www.catsemi.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements about Catalyst Semiconductor’s digitally programmable potentiometer (DPP™) products that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, references to availability, lead times and prices, all of which are subject to change and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Many factors can affect these risks and uncertainties, including interruptions in our manufacturing processes and those of our foundries and vendors, unpredictable customer demand, and the cyclicality of the semiconductor market. Further information on these and other forward-looking statements may be reviewed in our SEC reports under “Certain Factors That May Affect the Company’s Future Results of Operations.” These SEC reports include, but are not limited to Catalyst’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Quarterly Reports filed on Form 10-Q. Catalyst disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.

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Editor Notes:

1. Trademark notices: Adaptive Analog™, DPP™ and Quantum Charge Programmable™ are trademarks of Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.