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

Posted on: Wednesday, 31 May 2006, 09:00 CDT

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 Catalyst's LED drivers by building on the Company's earlier, CAT3604 device, which drives four LEDs and the CAT3606, which drives six LEDs, both in a 4x4mm 16-lead QFN package.

Product Features

-- Drives up to 3 LEDs

-- External resistor sets full-scale brightness

-- Compatible with supply voltage of 3V to 5.5V

-- Power efficiency up to 91%

-- Output current up to 30mA per LED

-- Fractional pump 1x/1.5x

-- Low noise input ripple

-- Fixed high frequency operation (1MHz)

-- "Zero" current shutdown mode

-- Soft start and current limiting

-- Short circuit protection

-- Low profile 0.8mm max height 3x3mm TDFN package

-- 100% RoHS-compliant Green Package

Price and Green Package Availability

The CAT3603 is offered in a RoHS-compliant, environment friendly "green" 3x3mm TDFN 12-lead package. Ordering code is CAT3603HV2 and pricing for 10,000 piece quantity is $0.78. Samples and evaluation kits are now available. Projected lead-times for production quantities are currently 6 to 8 weeks ARO.

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(TM)), 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 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, 2005 and Forms 10-Q for the subsequent three fiscal quarters.

Editor Notes:

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

Source: Business Wire

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