CATALYST DPP(TM) PRODUCT LINE EXPANDED WITH LOW-COST VOLATILE DIGITAL POTENTIOMETERS

The CAT5115 Digitally Programmable Potentiometer IC is designed to replace mechanical potentiometers.

Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.
David Gillooly
Director of Marketing
Telephone: 408.542.1080
Email: david.gillooly@catsemi.com      

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CATALYST DPP(TM) PRODUCT LINE EXPANDED WITH LOW-COST VOLATILE DIGITAL POTENTIOMETERS

- Low Priced ICs Target Systems with Mechanical Potentiometers -

      
Sunnyvale, Calif (PRWEB) October 3, 2003 -- Catalyst Semiconductor (Nasdaq: CATS) expanded its digital potentiometer integrated circuit market coverage by two fold with new Digitally Programmable Potentiometer (DPP(TM)) integrated circuits (ICs) that do not have
embedded EEPROM memory.

"By developing digital potentiometers without on-chip EEPROM memory we are doubling our total available market. This market segment represents the fastest growing digital potentiometer segment as engineers look for the most inexpensive, solid state mechanical pot replacements," said Catalyst Product Marketing Manger Gary Craig.

"Many systems have microcontrollers with embedded or discrete EEPROM memory available that can be used to recall wiper position. In other systems, a system adjustment is made at every power-on cycle so wiper position memory is not needed. By removing the redundant EEPROM memory from these systems, we have given customers a lower cost system solution. In 10,000 piece volumes, the CAT5116 costs under $0.40. At million piece levels we are under $0.20."

CAT5115 Features

The 32-tap CAT5115 draws less than 5 microwatts when in standby mode, and it will operate with a 2.5 volt to 5.5 volt power supply voltage. Wiper position is controlled by a 3-wire Up/Down control interface. At power up the wiper is set to mid-scale or tap 15. Resistance value options of 10 kohms, 50 kohms and 100 kohms are available.

Price, Packages and Availability

The CAT5115 is offered in 8-lead SOIC, TSSOP, DIP and MSOP packages covering the industrial temperature range. Environment friendly "Green Packages" that are both halogen free and lead free are also offered.

Prices start at $0.38 in 10,000 piece quantities. Devices are currently available for sampling. Production is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2003.
Data sheets are available at www.catalyst-semiconductor.com. A complete DPP selection guide can be obtained by emailing David Gillooly at david.gillooly@catsemi.com.

About Catalyst Semiconductor

Founded in 1985, Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
The Company is a developer and marketer of programmable products used in telecommunications, networking systems, computation, automotive, industrial and consumer markets.
The Company designs and markets a broad range of programmable products including Flash Memories, Parallel and Serial EEPROMs with I2C, SPI and Microwire interfaces, NVRAMs, Digitally Programmable Potentiometers, Microcontroller Supervisory circuits and other programmable Mixed Signal products. Typical applications for the Companys products include optical networks, modems, wireless LANs, network cards, PC BIOS, DIMM modules, cellular telephones, digital satellite box receivers, set-top boxes and Internet routers. Catalyst's Quality Management System is ISO9001 certified. Additional
information about Catalyst Semiconductor is available on the Companys web site at www.catalyst-semiconductor.com.

Except for those statements that report the Companys 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 Companys Future Results of Operations" listed from time to time in Catalysts SEC reports including but not limited to the report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2003.

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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. Microwire is a trademark of National Semiconductor.
2.Electronic images are available at www.catalyst-semiconductor.com/editor.