National Semiconductor Corp’s transition involved reducing the size of its bipolar business as it finally let go of its long-standing ambition to be a major player in general purpose microprocessors, and focusing more resources on analogue and mixed-signal parts used in communications and wireless devices: Amelio told the conference that the company will continue its strong focus on chips for the automotive and industrial markets, and that orders for its core analogue and mixed-signal products rose by 30% to 35% in the quarter ending November 30, above the increase in the order rate for the company as a whole, which was 25% to 30% – that is why I am confident in higher growth going forward, Amelio said.
