Flexible PSoC
-Based Solution Powers Multiple Touch-Sensing Buttons and Sliders
With Low-Power 1.8V Operation; Delivers Robust Operation in Noisy Environments
SAN JOSE, Calif., November 3, 2009 – Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY), the market leader in touch-sensing, today announced a new line of CapSense capacitive touch-sensing devices with low-power 1.8V operation to extend battery life in handheld mobile consumer applications. The CY8C20xx6A devices replace mechanical buttons and sliders, offering attractive, functional interface options for designers. The new family also offers exceptional response time with the most precise scanning of any CapSense devices. With superior immunity to conducted and radiated noise, as well as robust waterproofing, the new devices also enable reliable touch-sensing operation in applications such as white goods, home appliances, printers, computers and TVs/monitors.
Additionally, the CY8C20xx6A family offers the new patent-pending SmartSense
solution, which automatically calibrates capacitive-sensing parameters during the design process, cutting days of development time. Cypress announced the SmartSense solution today in a related release (Cypress’s New Auto-Tuning Smart Sense CapSense Solution Revolutionizes Touch-Sensing Design). For more information on the CY8C20xx6A CapSense family visit www.cypress.com/go/capsense.
The CY8C20xx6A devices have up to 36 general-purpose I/Os (GPIOs) to implement multiple CapSense interfaces. Leveraging the PSoC programmable system-on-chip architecture, a single new CapSense device can also manage functions such as motor control, intelligent sensing, LED control and more – a capability called CapSense Plus. Additionally, the new devices include a full-speed USB interface. The easy-to-use CapSense devices allow customers to bring products to market quickly. The CY8C20xx6A device line is available in multiple configurations and packages, including a small form factor 3x3x0.6-mm 16-pin QFN.
“Robust immunity to noise and water has helped the CapSense solution build a strong leadership position in mobile consumer and wall-plugged applications,” said Gokul Krishnan, director of marketing for the User Interface Business Unit at Cypress. “The 1.8V operation of the new CY8C20xx6A devices significantly boosts the CapSense advantage for battery-powered electronics as we extend our leadership position in the touch-sensing market.”
The new CY8C20xx6A CapSense devices are supported by the CY3280-20X66 CapSense Development Kit, which includes a development board with ports for the following Plug-in Modules:
• CY3280-SLMCY3280-SLM – Linear Slider Module
• CY3280-SRMCY3280-SRM – Radial Slider Module
• CY3280-TPM – Trackpad Module
• CY3280-BSMCY3280-BSM – Simple Button Module
• CY3280-BMMCY3280-BMM – Matrixed Button Module
• CY3280-BBM – Breadboard Module.
Each package option of the new low-power devices is also supported by a CY3250-20xx6 ICE Pod Kit that includes emulator pods and feet, enabling a designer to perform system-level debugging.
About CapSense
Cypress's CapSense touch-sensing solution has replaced 3.5 billion mechanical buttons in mobile handsets, laptops, consumer electronics, white goods, automotive applications, and virtually any system that has a mechanical button or switch, making Cypress the industry touch-sensing leader. The CapSense portfolio, the industry's broadest and most integrated, enhances industrial design and reliability with the most noise-immune and water tolerant capacitive touch-sensing interfaces, including proximity sensing where direct touch is not required. CapSense proximity sensing, with its industry leading detection range up to 25 cm, provides power savings by activating an interface only when needed while further enhancing industrial designs by only exposing interfaces when necessary. Based on the PSoC programmable system-on-chip architecture and the PSoC Designer Embedded-System Design Tool, users complete CapSense designs quickly and easily using pre-configured and verified "user modules" and real-time sensor tuning and monitoring. Learn more about CapSense online at www.cypress.com/go/capsense.
PSoC -- Because Change Happens
PSoC devices employ a highly configurable system-on-chip architecture for embedded control design, offering a flash-based equivalent of a field-programmable ASIC without lead-time or NRE penalties. PSoC devices integrate configurable analog and digital circuits, controlled by an on-chip microcontroller, providing both enhanced design revision capability and component count savings. A single PSoC device can integrate as many as 100 peripheral functions saving customers design time, board space and power consumption while improving system quality and reducing system cost. More information about PSoC products is available at www.cypress.com/psoc and free online training is at www.cypress.com/psoctraining.
Availability and Photo
The CY8C20xx6A CapSense devices are currently in production. They are available in multiple configurations, and come in 16-, 24- 32- and 48-pin QFN packages and a 48-pin SSOP package. The CY3280-20X66 CapSense Development Kit, the CY3280-XXX Plug-in Modules, and the CY3250-20xx6 ICE Pod Kits are all currently available from the Cypress eShop at www.cypress.com. For a high-resolution photo of a CY8C20xx6A PSoC device, visit www.cypress.com/go/PR/photos/CY8C20xx6.