NATIONAL ANNOUNCES BROAD LINE OF LOGIC, INTERFACE AND ANALOG DEVICES FOR LOW-, MIXED-VOLTAGE APPLICATIONS IN HI-REL SYSTEMS

Features Include Low Power, High Speed/Output Drive, High Noise Immunity, Industry-Compatible I/Os

April 12, 1999 -- National Semiconductor Corporation® today announced a broad line of logic, interface and analog devices for low- and mixed-voltage applications in high-reliability military and aerospace systems. The 18 devices include voltage-level translators, transceivers, a CMOS quad differential line driver/receiver pair, frequency synthesizers, regulators, operational amplifiers and phase-locked loop devices.

"By offering a broad line of logic, interface and analog chips for mil/aero systems, National gives designers the performance, flexibility and reliability they need for applications in harsh environments, including avionics, spacecraft and missiles," said Brian Stearns, product marketing manager for interface and digital products. "Our devices that translate between 3.3 and 5 volts, for example, enable designers to extend the life of existing systems by allowing them to use newer, lower-power 3.3V parts in systems that may be predominantly 5 volt. Following commercial trends, 3-volt devices, typically made on newer processes, offer higher performance, smaller size and lower power consumption."

"For another example, our DS26LV31/32 quad differential line driver/receiver pair is the only mil/aero combo that supports the EIA/TIA-422 driver/receiver standard at 3.3 volt operation. The pair is capable of fast 10MHz data transfers in a point-to-point configuration, with very low power consumption using a 3.3 volt supply," Stearns said. "We think such devices underscore National's continuing commitment to the high-rel marketplace."

For design flexibility, the driver and receiver are interoperable with existing 5V RS-422 networks, pin-compatible with 5V DS26LS31/32, DS26F31/32 and DS26C31/32 driver/receiver devices and compatible with low-voltage TTL and CMOS devices on the driver and enable inputs and outputs, respectively.

Both new LV devices feature very low power operation, making them ideal for battery-powered and power-conscious applications. The DS26LV31T driver has a low static current of 125uA maximum, low power of 413uW at a static 3.3V and a guaranteed minimum operating voltage of 2V minimum over operating conditions. The DS26LV32A receiver has a typical low static current of 9mA and low power of 30mW typical. The driver has guaranteed AC parameters of 5ns-maximum skew and a maximum propagation time of 25ns, whereas the receiver's specs are 6ns and 45ns, respectively. Both have standard microcircuit drawing (SMD) numbers and come in Cerpack packages.

One example on the analog side of the low-voltage portfolio is the LM3940 3.3-QML. The device is a general-purpose low drop out (LDO) regulator specifically designed for 5V input to 3.3V output conversion. By providing that conversion without the use of external resistors or power MOSFETs, the LM3940 efficiently supports mixed-voltage designs in which many mil/aero processors, memories and programmable logic devices operate from 3.3V on boards that also contain 5V parts.

The LM3940, fully screened and qualified to MIL-STD 883, is a 1A, cost-effective solution for distributed power applications. It comes in an advanced aluminum nitride ceramic DIP or hermetic SOIC packages. Aluminum nitride provides nearly ten times the thermal conductivity of standard alumina, providing much better heat transfer characteristics.

Recently, National announced the LMX23xxWG series of highly-reliable, phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizers with integrated prescalers as part of the low-voltage portfolio. The PLLatinum series is the industry's first family of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) high-reliability PLL devices and offers the high-performance, high-reliability and radiation-tolerance needed for next-generation military, aerospace and other communications systems.

The LMX23xxWG family consists of three devices that differ only in RF input, power consumption and prescaler specifications, but all offer a versatile 2.7- to 5.5V operating range, radiation tolerance up to 50krads, and strong single-event latch-up (SEL) greater than 82Mev-cm2/mg due to an advanced BiCMOS process. Other common features include a low-leakage and balanced charge pump, low phase noise and fast locktime.

Pricing and Availability
Almost all of the low-voltage devices are available now. The 54LVXC3245 and 54LVXC4245, housed in either DIP or Flatpack, are priced at $15.00 each in 100-unit quantities. Pricing for the DS26LV31W-QML and DS26LV32AW-QML is $14.70 each for 100 pieces.

The LM3940 3.3-QML, available in either DIP or ceramic SOIC packaging, is priced at $12.10 each in 250-unit orders. The 550MHz LMX2305WG PLL in a QML (or military grade) version is priced at $63.56 each (250 pieces). The 1.2GHz LMX2315WG is $120.34 (250 pieces) and the 2.5GHz LMX2325WG is $140.89 (250 pieces). All are available in ceramic SOIC packages.

For More Information
For information on National Semiconductor's other Military/Aerospace products, see the company's World Wide Web site at http://www.national.com/mil.

About National
National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip solutions for the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of the-art digital technology, the company's chips lead many sectors of the personal computer, communications and consumer markets. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National has annual sales of approximately $2 billion and 11,500 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.