Editorial Contacts:
Gerry Ziegler, PR Manager
(408) 721-4319
Todd Moore, Marketing
(408) 721-4967

INDUSTRY'S MOST ACCURATE SINGLE-CHANNEL AUDIO ATTENUATOR GENERATES ONLY 0.001% THD

June 11, 1996 -A new Overture® audio attenuator from National Semiconductor offers the industry's highest level of fidelity for single-channel attenuation with total harmonic distortion (THD) levels of 0.001% (typ.) and a dynamic range of 110dB. The LM1971 produces world-class levels of "pop-and-click" free performance from a standard, 8-pin, small-outline package. By offering designers a space-saving package without compromising performance, the LM1971 is ideal for use in portable communications devices, conference phones, hearing aid devices, and other systems where board-space requirements are paramount.

"Traditionally, single-channel audio attenuation could only be achieved with digitally-controlled pots and resistors designed primarily for industrial control applications," explained Todd Moore, National's audio marketing engineer. "These devices, however, cannot match the high levels of fidelity found in a true audio attenuator. As the industry's first device designed specifically for single-channel audio attenuation, the LM1971 offers the simplicity and ease-of-design of a single-channel device without the signal degradation synonymous with pots and resistors," he said.

In addition to the high-fidelity operation and small packaging of the device, the LM1971 provides designers with a choice of supply voltages, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. Operating from a supply-voltage range of 4.5V to 12V, the LM1971 meets the needs of both low-voltage, portable communications devices as well as those devices such as digital audio mixers and other professional equipment which require a higher dynamic range. Currently available from National Semiconductor, the LM1971 is offered in standard 8-pin surface mount and DIP packages. When purchased in quantities of 1000, both the LM1971M (surface-mount) and the LM1971N (DIP) are priced at $2.25 each.

National Semiconductor Corporation® provides Technologies For Moving and Shaping Information®. The company focuses on four strategic markets: communications, personal systems, industrial, and consumer. National Semiconductor is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has 20,000 employees worldwide. In fiscal 1995, the company reported sales of $2.4 billion.