NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR INTRODUCES INDUSTRY STANDARD VOLTAGE REFERENCE IN A SOT-23 PACKAGE

New Micropower Device Features Low Operating Range from 10 Microamps to 20 Milliamps

July 2, 1998 - National Semiconductor Corporation? today announced the availability of the industry-standard LM385 band-gap voltage reference in an SOT-23 package. This new offering extends the performance of National's existing voltage reference portfolio into very low current ranges, with supply currents down to 10 microamps. The LM385-1.2 spans a 10 microamps to 20 mA current range at 1.2 V output, while the LM385-2.5 operates between 20 microamps to 20mA at 2.5V output. The combination of low power, small package size and wide current operating range make the LM385 ideal for portable applications such as cell phones, PDAs, laptops, portable instrumentation, medical, test and consumer electronic appliances.

"Even when portable equipment OEMs find a voltage reference small enough for their design, it's unlikely to also meet their circuit's low supply current requirements," said Seamus Coyle, National's strategic technical marketing manager. "Now we can meet designers' criteria on both counts with this new LM385, since it offers miniature package technology and extends our voltage reference capabilities into the low current ranges required for portable equipment," he added.

The new LM385 voltage references feature exceptionally low dynamic impedance of 0.6 ohm (max) and excellent temperature stability between 0 degrees C and 70 degrees C.

A wide dynamic operating range assures excellent regulation when use with widely varying supplies. Moreover, when used with portable meters, regulators or general-purpose analog circuitry, the LM385 can help conserve battery life to approximate shelf-life ratings.

Price and Availability The LM385M3, housed in National's SOT23 3-pin package that occupies less than one-third the printed circuit board space of a standard SO-8 package, is priced at $.43 each when purchased in quantities of 1000. The LM385M, in an SO-8 package, and the LM385Z in a low-cost TO-92 molded package, are also available now.

National Semiconductor Corporation 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 $2.5 billion and 13,000 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.

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