National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor was a US analog and mixed-signal semiconductor manufacturer (founded 1959) known for the LM317 voltage regulator; acquired by Texas Instruments in 2011, it now operates as a legacy brand within TI's analog portfolio serving industrial, automotive, and embedded markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersSanta Clara, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What National Semiconductor does
National Semiconductor was an American semiconductor manufacturer founded in 1959 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, specializing in analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits alongside embedded processing technologies. The company built its reputation on foundational analog building blocks, most notably the LM317 adjustable linear voltage regulator introduced in the mid-1970s, which condensed complex linear regulation circuitry into a three-terminal device selectable via resistor choice and became a widely deployed component across power management applications. Over its independent operating history, National Semiconductor pursued an inorganic growth strategy, completing acquisitions of Vivid Semiconductor (2000), Xignal Technologies (2007), Energy Recommerce (2009), and Gtronix (2010) to broaden its mixed-signal and energy-related semiconductor capabilities.
In 2011, Texas Instruments acquired National Semiconductor, ending its status as an independent publicly traded company (formerly NYSE: NSM) and integrating it as a wholly-owned subsidiary within TI's analog business. Since the acquisition, National Semiconductor has operated as a legacy brand and product line rather than a standalone operating company; its products, including the LM317, continue to be manufactured and sold under the Texas Instruments brand through ti.com and global distribution channels. The entity's historical employee base of 5,001–10,000 reflects pre-acquisition scale, and no current standalone revenue, headcount, or operational metrics are reported separately. As such, National Semiconductor today exists primarily as a recognized brand within TI's broader 80,000+ analog and embedded processing product portfolio serving automotive, industrial, personal electronics, and data center end markets.
National Semiconductor firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- National Semiconductor
- Legal name
- National Semiconductor
- Website
- https://national.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- National Semiconductor was a US analog and mixed-signal semiconductor manufacturer (founded 1959) known for the LM317 voltage regulator; acquired by Texas Instruments in 2011, it now operates as a legacy brand within TI's analog portfolio serving industrial, automotive, and embedded markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
National Semiconductor industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Analog Semiconductors
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (3344)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Amplifiers & Comparators (HDAHAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Semiconductors for Industrial Control & Power (MCUs, DSPs, FPGAs, ASICs, IGBTs, MOSFETs, diodes) (IMAGAJAE), Motor Control & Driver ICs (Gate Drivers/BLDC Drivers) (HDAHAIAH)
Keywords
Where National Semiconductor is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Clara
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
National Semiconductor business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
National Semiconductor product offering
Product offeringCore offering
National Semiconductor manufactured analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, including the LM317 three-terminal adjustable linear voltage regulator. Its products supported power management, voltage regulation, and signal conditioning in electronic systems across industrial, automotive, and consumer applications. Following its 2011 acquisition by Texas Instruments, the National Semiconductor brand and product lines continue to be sold through TI.
Product overview
National Semiconductor was known for its analog semiconductor products. A key historical product was the LM317, an adjustable linear voltage regulator introduced in the mid-1970s that became a foundational component for voltage regulation applications. The company specialized in analog and embedded processing technologies before being acquired.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LM317 Adjustable Linear Voltage Regulator Three-terminal adjustable linear voltage regulator that simplifies power supply design by allowing output voltage selection through external resistor choice rather than complex circuitry. Targeted at electronics design engineers building power management subsystems in industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.
Companies that use National Semiconductor
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
National Semiconductor technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
National Semiconductor partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves6 records
Expansion highlights2 records
National Semiconductor competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Microchip Technology: Microchip is a broader analog and embedded processing incumbent whose portfolio overlaps with National Semiconductor's analog and mixed-signal product lines. It competes with legacy NS products in regulators, op amps, and interface ICs.
- NXP Semiconductors: NXP is a broad incumbent in automotive and industrial analog semiconductors, with overlapping product categories in power management and analog signal conditioning. Legacy National Semiconductor automotive SKUs compete with NXP's analog portfolio.
- Renesas Electronics: Renesas is a broad analog and embedded semiconductor incumbent with overlapping product lines in power management and motor control for industrial and automotive markets. It competes with legacy National Semiconductor products in these segments.
- Maxim Integrated: Maxim Integrated was a historical direct competitor to National Semiconductor in analog ICs prior to its acquisition by Analog Devices. Its product portfolio in amplifiers, regulators, and power management overlaps directly with legacy NS offerings.
- Linear Technology: Linear Technology was a direct historical competitor to National Semiconductor in high-performance analog ICs, particularly voltage regulators and amplifiers. It is now part of Analog Devices but its legacy product line remains a peer benchmark.
Direct peers
- Analog Devices: Analog Devices is the closest direct competitor to historical National Semiconductor, specializing in analog and mixed-signal ICs including amplifiers, voltage regulators, and power management. The two companies competed head-to-head for decades in the analog market prior to TI's acquisition of NS.
- ON Semiconductor: ON Semiconductor is a direct peer in analog and power semiconductors, with overlapping product lines in voltage regulators, amplifiers, and motor drivers. It competes with legacy National Semiconductor products in industrial and automotive power applications.
- Infineon Technologies: Infineon is a direct peer in power semiconductors and motor control ICs, with strong overlap in industrial and automotive applications. It competes with National Semiconductor's legacy power management and motor driver portfolio.
- STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics is a direct peer offering analog, power management, and motor control ICs across automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Several legacy National Semiconductor product categories (regulators, op amps, motor drivers) overlap with ST product families.
Emerging players
- ROHM Semiconductor: ROHM is an emerging analog and power semiconductor player with overlapping product lines in voltage regulators, op amps, and motor drivers. It competes with legacy National Semiconductor products in industrial and automotive power applications.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
National Semiconductor social profiles
Digital presenceNational Semiconductor financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
National Semiconductor leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
National Semiconductor funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
National Semiconductor M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments5 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about National Semiconductor
What does National Semiconductor do?
National Semiconductor manufactured analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, including the LM317 three-terminal adjustable linear voltage regulator. Its products supported power management, voltage regulation, and signal conditioning in electronic systems across industrial, automotive, and consumer applications. Following its 2011 acquisition by Texas Instruments, the National Semiconductor brand and product lines continue to be sold through TI.
Is National Semiconductor a public or private company?
National Semiconductor is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was National Semiconductor founded?
National Semiconductor was founded in 1959. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is National Semiconductor based?
National Semiconductor is headquartered in Santa Clara, United States, in the North America region.
Who are National Semiconductor's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Microchip Technology, NXP Semiconductors, Renesas Electronics, Maxim Integrated and Linear Technology. Direct peers are Analog Devices, ON Semiconductor, Infineon Technologies and STMicroelectronics. ROHM Semiconductor is listed as an emerging player.
Does National Semiconductor have an API?
No public API is recorded for National Semiconductor.
What industry is National Semiconductor in?
National Semiconductor's product category is Analog Semiconductors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAIAC, Amplifiers & Comparators, with a secondary code of IMAGAJAE, Semiconductors for Industrial Control & Power (MCUs, DSPs, FPGAs, ASICs, IGBTs, MOSFETs, diodes). Its NAICS code is 334413 and its SIC code is 3600.