Cypress MicroSystems Unveils Programmable System-on-a-Chip For Embedded Internet, Communications and Consumer Systems.Business Editors & High-Tech Writers WOODINVILLE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2000 PSoC(TM) Devices Integrate Programmable Analog and Digital Functions To Simplify Design Of Wireless, Handheld, Data Communications data communications, application of telecommunications technology to the problem of transmitting data, especially to, from, or between computers. In popular usage, it is said that data communications make it possible for one computer to "talk" with another. , and Industrial Systems Cypress MicroSystems Cypress MicroSystems (CMS) markets high-performance, field Programmable System-on-a-Chip (PSoC) integrated M8 micro-based solutions. CMS is based in Lynnwood, near Seattle, Washington and was established as a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corporation in the fourth quarter of , a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Cypress Semiconductor is a semiconductor design and manufacturing company. It began operations in 1982 and listed publicly in 1986. Two years later, the company shifted over to the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol, (NYSE: CY). (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :CY), today introduced a family of programmable system-on-a-chip (PSoC(TM)) devices, designed to implement a single, configurable device on MCU-based system boards. As general purpose solutions, PSoC devices are targeted for implementation in embedded applications, including audio, wireless, handheld, data communications, Internet control, industrial, and consumer systems. PSoC devices integrate a fast microcontroller, SONOS SONOS Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (semiconductor memory technology) SONOS Semiconductor Oxide Nitride Oxide Semiconductor (memory) (TM)-based (Silicon Oxide Nitride Oxide Silicon) Flash memory and SRAM See static RAM. SRAM - static random-access memory , and programmable arrays of analog and digital system functions - known as PSoC blocks - in low-cost, small-footprint packages. To save designers time, Cypress MicroSystems also offers User Modules - pre-designed peripherals comprised of PSoC blocks. By selecting a PSoC with the needed resource combination of memory, PSoC blocks and pins, designers have a device that reduces costs by eliminating external chips and simplifying system design. "Today there are thousands of different 8-bit microcontrollers on the market, and designers still have trouble finding one that is a perfect fit for their application. In addition, embedded applications require analog peripherals that usually call for additional external devices," said Mike Polen, Cypress MicroSystems's vice president of marketing. "Engineers know that the perfect solution is a custom-designed system-on-a-chip, but custom microcontrollers, ASICs and PLDs are expensive, require very large volumes or call for specialized design skills." "In contrast, the Cypress MicroSystems PSoC solution offers custom configurations, takes no time or special expertise to create, incurs no NRE (Non-Recurring Engineering) Refers to the cost of creating a new product, which is paid up front. Contrast with "production cost," which is ongoing and based on the quantity of material produced. , and integrates both analog and digital functions," continued Polen. "These factors make the cost of the PSoC solution competitive with standard microcontrollers." SONOS -- a proprietary Cypress process technology -- is key to Cypress MicroSystems's system-on-a-chip. SONOS is a cost-effective, electrically-erasable, programmable, non-volatile memory Refers to memory chips that hold their content without power being applied. It may refer to chips that are not changeable, such as ROMs and PROMs, or to chips that can be rewritten many times such as flash memory. structure that speeds time-to-market at a cost that is comparable with commodity devices. SONOS is also being implemented in Cypress Semiconductor's frequency timing generators, USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. controllers and intelligent control network devices. About PSoC blocks and User Modules After a review of the peripherals found in microcontrollers and the analog ICs used in typical designs, Cypress MicroSystems engineers selected a variety of digital and analog peripherals, then created PSoC blocks, or system-on-a-chip blocks, and integrated them into each PSoC device. Users select the functions they need and configure the PSoC blocks on the PSoC device accordingly. Digital PSoC blocks are 8-bit peripherals that can be programmed to perform a variety of functions by changing the contents of a few registers. They can be configured as timers, controllers, serial communications See serial transmission and serial. ports, CRC (Cyclical Redundancy Checking) An error checking technique used to ensure the accuracy of transmitting digital data. The transmitted messages are divided into predetermined lengths which, used as dividends, are divided by a fixed divisor. generators, or pseudo-random number generators. They can be connected in series to handle more complex functions - for example, a 24-bit timer is three connected 8-bit PSoC blocks acting as timers. Analog PSoC blocks consist of programmable operational amplifier operational amplifier, amplifier whose output voltage is proportional to the negative of its input voltage and that boosts the amplitude of an input signal many times, i.e., has a very high gain. circuits that can be configured to perform a set of typical analog peripheral functions. Analog PSoC blocks can be programmed by setting a few registers to internconnect and trim the appropriate operational amplifier circuit to creat the desired result. Among the typical peripherals that can be created are amplifiers, DACs, ADCs, analog drivers, and high-, low- and band-pass filters. To eliminate the need for customers to understand PSoC blocks in-depth and further shorten development time, Cypress MicroSystems developed User Modules, preconfigured Set up ahead of time. It implies that the device or software application has been modified to suit the customer or situation. See ghosting server. peripherals created from PSoC blocks. User Modules allow customers to select the functions they need and automatically integrate the necessary PSoC blocks into their PSoC device. Software Support Cypress MicroSystems will offer PSoC Designer(TM), a complete development system to support the PSoC device. The system will include a C compiler Noun 1. C compiler - a compiler for programs written in C compiling program, compiler - (computer science) a program that decodes instructions written in a higher order language and produces an assembly language program and assembler, a linking and debugging tool, an in-circuit emulator See ICE. , and the Device Editor(TM). Designers can use the Device Editor and its graphical interface See GUI. to configure a PSoC device by dragging the desired peripherals or functions -- from a library of User Modules -- into the part. The selected User Modules are then automatically mapped onto the available PSoC blocks. On-chip Flash program memory stores each PSoC device's parameters, allowing the user to reprogram re·pro·gram tr.v. re·pro·grammed or re·pro·gramed, re·pro·gram·ming or re·pro·gram·ing, re·pro·grams To program again. re the device during production, during system test or in the field. PSoC devices may even be self-reprogrammed remotely. "PSoC devices are like a screwdriver with replaceable bits," stated Nathan John, Cypress MicroSystems's director of marketing. "They can be configured and reconfigured as the design progresses and functional requirements change. They provide a core set of analog and digital functions that eliminate the need for additional devices. And they can be programmed to custom-fit any application." Availability and Pricing Cypress MicroSystems will initially offer the following PSoC devices:
Part Number Max. Speed Package Samples Production Price
(Q 1,000)
CY8C25122 24 MHz 8-pin DIP Q1 2001 Q1 2001 $ 1.76
CY8C26233 24 MHz 20-pin DIP Q1 2001 Q1 2001 2.21
20-pin SOIC
20-pin SSOP
CY8C26443 24 MHz 28-pin DIP Q4 2000 Q1 2001 2.79
28-pin SOIC
28-pin SSOP
CY8C26643 24 MHz 48-pin DIP Q1 2001 Q1 2001 3.53
48-pin SSOP
48-pin TQFP
About Cypress MicroSystems Cypress MicroSystems designs, develops, manufactures and markets high-performance, field programmable integrated micro-based solutions for high-volume embedded control functions in computer, communications, consumer and control applications. Established as a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corporation in the fourth quarter of 1999, Cypress MicroSystems's stockholders are its employees and Cypress Semiconductor. The close association with Cypress Semiconductor allows access to their process and design technology, and field sales and applications forces. Cypress MicroSystems is based near Seattle in Woodinville, Washington. The Cypress MicroSystems PsoC(TM) family of programmable system-on-a-chip devices will replace many MCU-based system boards with one single-chip, programmable PSoC. A single PSoC device provides a fast microcontroller, SONOS(TM) FLASH and SRAM memory, and configurable analog and digital peripheral blocks in a range of convenient pin outs and memory sizes. This new product family will bring the cost and time-to-market advantages of programmable technologies, such as CPLDs and FPGAs, to the emerging system-on-a-chip marketplace. More information about Cypress MicroSystems and its products can be accessed through its Web site at www.cypressmicro.com. "Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. " Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Cypress Semiconductor's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" involving risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the effect of global economic conditions, shifts in supply and demand, market acceptance, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and capacity and supply constraints. Please refer to Cypress Semiconductor's Securities and Exchange Commission filings for a discussion of such risks. PSoC, PSoC Designer, and Device Editor are trademarks of Cypress MicroSystems. SONOS is a trademark of Cypress Semiconductor. |
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