Cypress CapSense™ Proximity Sensing Solution Delivers Industry-Leading Detection Range of Up to 25 Centimeters

Business Wire, Nov 20, 2008

New Interactive Video Demonstrates How to Build, Configure and Program a Proximity Detector in Minutes

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:CY) today announced that its proximity detection solution enables a best-in-class proximity detection range of 25 cm. Based on the market-leading CapSense[TM] touch-sensing technology, the solution leverages the flexible PSoC([R]) Programmable System-on-Chip architecture to deliver variable detection range and sensitivity along with desired system effects.

Proximity sensing enables new usage models where direct touch is not required, instead detecting a finger or another object as it approaches the device. The solution allows for enhanced industrial designs that only expose interfaces or buttons when necessary and provides incremental power savings by activating an interface only when needed. For more information on the CapSense proximity sensing solution, visit www.cypress.com/go/PR/proximitysensing.

To simplify use of this proximity sensing functionality, Cypress also announced a free online tutorial that shows how to develop proximity sensing detectors without writing or debugging a single line of C or Assembly code using Cypress's PSoCDesigner[TM] embedded design tool. The 30-minute interactive video entitled "Building a Proximity Detector Using PSoC Designer" is available at www.cypress.com/go/PR/ProximityDemo.

The new video includes an introduction to proximity sensing with a demonstration of the detection range of the CapSense solution, and it features Cypress member of technical staff Dave Van Ess presenting the design of a proximity sensing interface using PSoC Designer software via the PSoC FirstTouch[TM] Starter Kit. The USB thumbdrive kit can also be used for touch-sensing, temperature-sensing and light sensing-designs. The CY3270 PSoC FirstTouch Starter kit is available for US$29.95. The follow-on CY3271 PSoC FirstTouch Starter Kit with CyFi[TM] Low-Power RF enables proximity sensing as well, and is available for US$69.95. For more information, visit www.cypress.com/FirstTouch.

"The popularity of proximity interfaces is growing rapidly in a huge range of applications across the consumer, handset, white goods, industrial, computation and automotive markets," said Gokul Krishnan, business unit director for Cypress's CapSense Touch-Sensing solutions. "This video demonstrates just how easy it is to add proximity sensing functionality to a design using our proven CapSense touch-sensing solution, which is at the heart over 2.5 billion touch-sensing interfaces in systems worldwide. Our customers receive unmatched system design support, including easy to use software, application notes, and production text fixture support."

About CapSense

A single CapSense device can replace dozens of mechanical switches and controls with an elegant touch-sensitive interface, and the solution supports proximity sensing for superior product differentiation. CapSense-based "button" and "slider" controls are more reliable than their mechanical counterparts because they are resistant to environmental wear-and-tear from temperature change and moisture. Cypress has garnered hundreds of CapSense design wins worldwide in applications that include mobile handsets, portable media players, white goods, computers, printers and automotive, among others.

Cypress's CapSense solution offers system designers numerous advantages over capacitive sensing products built around modules and sub-assemblies, including increased flexibility, reduced board space and lower cost. Because of the unique PSoC architecture, designers can easily integrate multiple functions (e.g., LED drivers and LCD displays), in addition to capacitive sensing. The PSoC CapSense solution also delivers benefits such as easy communications using either I2C, SPI or USB interfaces, the ability to implement both touchpad (x-y matrix) and linear slider applications with the same device, and the ability to make quick design changes using the flash-based PSoC architecture. In addition, users can complete CapSense designs quickly and easily using pre-configured and verified "user modules" and experience real-time sensor tuning and monitoring within Cypress's PSoC Designer embedded system design tool. Learn more about CapSense online at www.cypress.com/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. They include up to 32 Kbytes of Flash memory, 2 Kbytes of SRAM, an 8x8 multiplier with 32-bit accumulator, power and sleep monitoring circuits, and hardware I2C communications.

The flexible PSoC resources allow designers to future-proof their products by enabling firmware-based changes during design, validation, production, and in the field. The unique PSoC flexibility shortens design cycle time and allows for late-breaking feature enhancements. All PSoC devices are also dynamically reconfigurable, enabling designers to morph internal resources on-the-fly, utilizing fewer components to perform a given task.