NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR ANNOUNCES FIRST 14-BIT, 52MSPS A/D CONVERTER AVAILABLE IN VOLUME PRODUCTION

New Device Reduces Parts Count by Digitizing Multiple Channels in Cellular Base Station Receivers

April 26, 1999 - National Semiconductor Corporation® (NYSE:NSM) today introduced a high-dynamic range 14-bit A/D converter optimized to simultaneously digitize multiple channels in wireless base station receivers. Operating at 52MSPS, the CLC5958 offers superior receiver sensitivity with a spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of 90dB and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 70dB at 20MHz. Base station designers can now reduce system size and cost by replacing multiple lower dynamic range ADCs with a single CLC5958. The part further helps to simplify system design by eliminating the need for expensive filters, mixers and amplifiers.

"The CLC5958's combination of resolution and speed is a major technical breakthrough, and National Semiconductor is the first company to put this type of part into volume production," said Kurt Rentel, marketing director for National's Data Conversion System Group. "Since ADCs are at the core of digital base station receivers, the device's excellent SNR and SFDR performance translates into overall superior system performance. In addition, base station receiver designers can now replace up to four single channel receiver chains using lower dynamic range ADCs with a single multi-carrier receiver chain using the CLC5958."

"Also, much of the signal processing that was done in the analog domain in older systems is now in the digital domain for greater programmability and flexibility. The CLC5958 enables production of a software radio and promises even higher levels of integration in the future."

The CLC5958 integrates a low-distortion track-and-hold amplifier and a 14-bit multi-stage quantizer on a single die. It is housed in a 48-pin chip-scale package (CSP) with excellent electrical characteristics and very low thermal resistance for space-constrained applications. The device operates from a single 5V power supply. Other features include differential analog inputs, low jitter differential clock inputs, an internal bandgap voltage reference and CMOS/TTL compatible outputs.

The CLC5958 joins other members of the CLC family of high-performance products for the cellular base station market. Recent additions include the CLC5526 variable gain amplifier, the CLC5956 12-bit/65MSPS A/D and the CLC5902 digital down converter.

National also offers a CLC5958 evaluation board that facilitates quick bench trials and simplifies final system design. Other applications for the CLC5958 include satellite and paging base stations, video digitizing, medical imaging, instrumentation, and any system requiring high resolution, high sampling rate, wide dynamic range, and compact size in an A/D converter.

Price and Availability
The CLC5958SLB is priced at $35.00 in 1,000 unit lots in a 48-lead CSP (Chip-Scale Package). It is now available in production quantities. The order number for a fully loaded evaluation board is CLC5958PCASM.

For more information on the CLC5958, visit our World Wide Web site at http://www.national.com/pf/CL/CLC5958.html, or contact National's Customer Response Group at 1-800-272-9959.

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.