New Five-Channel Voltage Supervisor From Catalyst Semiconductor Reduces System Costs and Board Space

CAT885 Offers Two Fixed and Three Variable Voltage Supervisors

Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ:CATS) a supplier of analog, mixed-signal and non-volatile memory semiconductors, continues to rapidly expand its supervisor product line with the addition of a new five-channel device that gives designers high reset threshold accuracy and very low power consumption for monitoring the power supply (Vcc) status of a microprocessor, microcontroller, ASIC or other system processor. The new CAT885 lowers system costs and saves board space by integrating five channels into a single, small MSOP 8-lead package.

The device features an open-drain output, active-low function with manual reset to perform comprehensive system reset and monitoring functions for a wide range of electronic products. The CAT885 monitors up to five system voltages by maintaining a reset output active until all the power supply voltages exceed the specified trip values. The device then maintains the reset output in an active condition until the internal timer times out, which allows the system power supplies to stabilize. Two of the five voltage detectors are factory set for standard supplies (+5.0V, +3.3V, +3.0V, +2.5V or +1.8V), while the threshold voltages of the third, fourth, and fifth voltage monitors can be adjusted for specific system design requirements (> 0.6V) using external resistors.

Product Features — Functions: open-drain output, active-low function with manual reset

– Five-channel supply voltage detection:
2 fixed-threshold inputs allow monitoring of +5.0V, +3.3V, +3.0V, +2.5V or +1.8V supplies
3 adjustable voltage inputs allow monitoring supplies greater than 0.6V

– Accurate +/- less than 2% voltage threshold

– Pin-for-pin compatible with ISL88031 supervisor

– Packaging: 8-lead MSOP

Price and Availability

The CAT885 supervisor is priced at $1.17 each in 10,000 piece quantities. Samples are available now. Projected lead-time for production quantities is currently 6 to 8 weeks ARO.

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 that are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to statements relating to the lead time and product availability for Catalyst Semiconductor’s CAT885 voltage supervisor. These statements are based on current information and market conditions and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ from those described in these forward-looking statements. Factors and risks that have the potential to affect product availability and lead times include interruptions in our vendor’s manufacturing processes and unpredictable market demand. Additional information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in Catalyst’s SEC reports including, but not limited to, Catalyst’s Annual Report filed 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.

Editor Notes:

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

Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc.
Sherry Hill, 408-542-1080
sherry.hill {at} catsemi(.)com