Profile

Name: Muna

Group: Applications

Year Started: 1988

Why is your National experience different than other companies you've worked for?

"When I started at National 16 years ago as a college grad, I always told myself that I would leave National once my job became monotonous. However, when I start to feel that I have reached the peak of my learning curve, I get challenged by a more innovative product using a new process technology."

What do you think makes your particular work group unique?

"Working together with some of the industry's well known legends such as Bob Pease."

What aspect of National gets you up in the morning and makes you want to come to work?

"The family atmosphere and the feeling of being a very crucial part of the development team."

Why is analog an exciting industry in which to work?

"The interface of the human to the computing digital world is analog. Have you ever tried speaking ones and zeros to your co-workers?

In my opinion, there is more design innovation with analog, compared to digital. Digital design goals are to make the chip smaller and compute data faster. On the other hand, an analog design goal is to improve the quality of the interface with the digital world."

What can you tell us about the direction of the company? Where is it headed?

"National has been around for 45 years, and has pulled through several economic down times. National is a solid semiconductor company with its own manufacturing facilities that will be around for several centuries to come."

What do you think is the coolest solution or product that National has created?

"If you ask my kids, the coolest solution is (National's DsPhyter (DP83846)) the PlayStation 2's network adapter, which allows them to play games over the Internet with their friends.

However, in my opinion the coolest product my group has created is the LMV1012 an integrated circuit amplifier for condenser microphones. For years the innovation in the microphones has been to make the microphones smaller and lower cost. This product is the first of its kind to improve the sensitivity, signal to noise ratio and supply current."

Share an insider scoop about National that nobody knows about except those who work there.

"Working at National is a conversation starter at any party, no matter who you talk with, they know someone that worked or is still working at National."