NATIONAL’S NEWEST BOOMER® AUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER, PACKAGED IN A TINY MSOP-8, PROVIDES UNIVERSAL OUTPUT FOR LOW VOLTAGE AUDIO SYSTEMS

August 26, 1997 - National Semiconductor Corporation® today introduced the latest addition to its line of high-quality stereo Boomer audio products - the LM4881 audio amplifier in a mini small outline package (MSOP). Despite its tiny size, this new device typically generates 200mW (RL-8 ohms, THD=1%) of output power per channel in a single-ended output mode while consuming a minimal amount of supply current, making it ideal for portable audio systems. At 10% THD, it is capable of 300mW output into an 8 ohm load. Designed to drive both speakers and headphones, the device operates from a 2.7V to 5.5V power supply and produces less than 0.2% total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) when generating 75mW per channel as a headphone driver (RL=32 ohms).

Complementing the efficient operation of the LM4881 are several features which make it desirable for use in portable applications. During normal operation, the device draws only 3.6mA (typ) quiescent current. A power-saving shut-down/mute mode reduces consumption to 0.7µA (typ), extending the operating time of battery-powered systems. In addition, like all of National's Boomer audio amplifiers, the LM4881 operates without the aid of bootstrap capacitors or snubber networks. The product's ultra-small MSOP-8 footprint, combined with a minimal number of external components, greatly simplifies overall system design, saves board space and lowers manufacturing costs. This combination of features makes the LM4881 ideal for use as a speaker driver for PC audio systems or as a headphone driver in external CD-ROM drives, PDAs, mini-component systems, portable games, radios and other portable audio systems.

The LM4881 is currently available in MSOP, SOIC and DIP. In quantities of 1000, the LM4881MM (MSOP), LM4881M (SOP) and LM4881N (DIP) are all priced at $1.00.

For more information on the LM4881, visit our website at http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LM4881.html.

National Semiconductor Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, produces system on a chip silicon solutions for the information highway, based on its leadership in analog and mixed signal technologies. National is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and focuses on the communications, personal systems and consumer markets. National has annual sales of approximately $2 billion and 12,500 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.