Cypress Expands CMOS Image Sensor Portfolio with Suite of 1.3-Megapixel Imaging Solutions for Mobile Devices; Image Sensor and Fully Integrated System-on-a-Chip Image Sensor Deliver DSC-Like Quality on a 1/4-Inch Optical Format.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:CY) today launched a suite of 1/4-inch optical format, 1.3-megapixel imaging solutions designed to directly replace existing 1/4-inch VGA image sensors and 1/4-inch VGA Systems-on-a-Chip (SoC) image sensors in camera-enabled mobile phones. These new, low-cost imaging solutions enable mobile device manufacturers to upgrade their offerings with improved image quality at higher resolution while maintaining the same optical format and form factor, resulting in a less-expensive bill-of-materials and lower cost of ownership.

The CYIWOSC1300AA 1.3-megapixel image sensor and CYIWCSC1300AA 1.3-megapixel SoC image sensor are the first camera phone image sensors manufactured on Cypress's 0.13-micron CMOS process optimized specifically for image sensors. The image sensors take advantage of Cypress's high fill-factor pixel architecture to dramatically improve light sensitivity without sacrificing image quality. The pixel architecture also eliminates the need for microlenses.

"We recognize that mobile device users are demanding improved image quality on smaller and smaller form factors," said Luc De Mey, vice president of Cypress's image sensor business unit. "Our 1.3-megapixel image sensor solutions directly address this requirement by delivering economical camera-enabled products with improved image quality and resolution within existing form factors."

Cypress's 1.3-megapixel image sensor features a 1/4-inch optical format, a frame rate of more than 15 frames-per-second (fps) at full resolution and image windowing to any size, while sustaining smooth, continuous video preview at reduced power consumption. The sensor acts as a master in a system, accepting commands from a two-wire serial interface and delivering Bayer-patterned RGB images or video-like streams through a 10-bit parallel data interface.

The 1.3-megapixel System-on-a-Chip (SoC) image sensor is an SXGA 1/4-inch format camera that produces high-quality color still pictures, even under very poor lighting conditions. The 1.3-megapixel SoC combines CMOS imaging technology for high-quality, CCD-like image performance with CMOS-derived high integration, ease of design, low cost, and low power consumption required by high-performance camera phone applications and low-cost, high-volume applications. The SoC integrates a state-of-the-art image sensor core with an advanced, on-chip image signal processor capable of defect interpolation, black level calibration, lens de-shading, crosstalk compensation, color mosaic interpolation, color correction, auto white balancing with illuminant estimation, auto exposure and gain control, sharpening, noise reduction, special effects and gamma correction.

This new suite of devices expands Cypress's image sensor portfolio and complements a stable of Cypress products for the mobile phone market, including pseudo-SRAM and dual-port memories, timing chips, USB controllers for hard-drive enabled phones and PSoC(TM) mixed-signal arrays with CapSense(TM) technology for capacitive-touch sensing applications such as volume and backlighting control.

The image sensor and SoC feature a pixel size of 2.8-micron x 2.8-micron and an image array format of 1280 x 1024 active pixels. Both devices offer progressive scan and an electronic rolling shutter.

Price and Availability

Cypress is currently sampling the CYIWOSC1300AA with production volumes expected to be available in December of 2005. Cypress expects to sample the CYIWCSC1300AA in the fourth quarter of 2005 with production quantities available in the second quarter of 2006. Pricing for both devices is expected to be below $3.00 each, in quantity. High-resolution photos of the devices and data sheets are available at www.cypress.com/1.3Mp_Imager.

Cypress Image Sensors

Cypress's broad CMOS image sensor portfolio spans both the high-end and consumer mass markets. Cypress delivers high-performance sensors for custom and high-end digital photography; ultra high-speed imaging solutions for automotive safety, machine vision and motion analysis; and consumer-oriented solutions for ultra-slim digital still cameras, single-use cameras and camera-enabled mobile devices. CMOS image sensors complement Cypress's technology and market strengths. The sensors expand Cypress's existing presence in digital still cameras, where it sells a broad array of timing solutions; in the automotive sector, where it sells configurable microcontrollers and memories; and in mobile phones where it is a leader in low-power memories.

About Cypress

Cypress solutions are at the heart of any system that is built to perform: consumer, computation, data communications, automotive, industrial, and solar power. Leveraging a strong commitment to customer service and performance-based process and manufacturing expertise, Cypress's product portfolio includes a broad selection of wired and wireless USB devices, CMOS image sensors, timing solutions, network search engines, specialty memories, high-bandwidth synchronous and micropower memory products, optical solutions, and reconfigurable mixed-signal arrays. Cypress stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CY. More information about the company is available online at www.cypress.com.

Cypress and the Cypress logo and PSoC are registered trademarks and CapSense is a trademark of Cypress Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.