Live Cypress Online Seminar June 6: Implementing Capacitive Sensing Interfaces.

Presented in Conjunction With EE Times, Free Webinar Will Focus on Functional Integration With PSoC([R])-based CapSensePLUS Technologies

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:CY) today announced that it will host a free online seminar that explores integration of capacitive sensing interfaces with additional functionality. The 60-minute seminar entitled "CapSensePLUS: A Designer's Guide to Functional Integration," will be presented in conjunction with CMP Media's Electronic Engineering Times on Wednesday, June 6 at 9:00 a.m. PDT.

A new generation of products, ranging from MP3 players, to cell phones, to blenders, uses capacitive sensing in an effort to replace buttons and other mechanical interfaces and modernize designs. The Webinar will explore how to reduce system cost by integrating additional functionality, such as LED driver, motor control, power management, etc., simultaneously with capacitive sensing, into Cypress's widely-used PSoC[R] (Programmable System-on-Chip[TM]) architecture. The presenters will introduce easy-to-use design tools that enable the PSoC architecture to integrate a capacitive sensing interface into a product quickly and cost-efficiently. Interested parties can find additional information and register for the seminar at: www.techonline.com/learning/livewebinar/199400247.

About CapSense

A single CapSense device can replace dozens of mechanical switches and controls with a simple, touch-sensitive interface. CapSense-based "button" and "slider" controls are more reliable than their mechanical counterparts because they are not prone to the environmental wear-and-tear that affects exposed buttons and switches. Cypress has garnered well over 100 CapSense design wins worldwide in applications that include mobile handsets, portable media players, white goods, computers, printers and automotive, among others.

Capacitive sensing is fast becoming the solution of choice for front-panel display and media control applications. Increased durability, decreased bill of materials (BOM) and a clean, minimalist appearance make this elegant interface attractive to a wide range of designs. With Cypress's CapSense interface, a finger on the interface forms an electrical connection with embedded sensors, which work with the PSoC device to translate data about the finger's presence into various system control functions. The sensor itself is only a copper pad on the PCB, not an actual component. All of the circuitry for controlling the sensor is inside the PSoC device.

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 trackpad (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" within Cypress's PSoC Designer[TM] 4.4 Integrated Design Environment (IDE). Learn more about CapSense online at www.cypress.com/capsense.

About the PSoC Family

PSoC devices are configurable mixed signal arrays that integrate a fast 8-bit microcontroller with many peripheral functions typically found in an embedded design. PSoC devices provide the advantages of an ASIC without the ASIC NRE or turn-around time. A single PSoC device can integrate as many as 100 peripheral functions with a microcontroller, saving customers design time, board space and power consumption. Customers can save from 5 cents to as much as $10 in system costs. Easy to use development tools enable designers to select configurable library elements to provide analog functions such as amplifiers, ADCs, DACs, filters and comparators and digital functions such as timers, counters, PWMs, SPI and UARTs. The PSoC family's analog features include rail-to-rail inputs, programmable gain amplifiers and up to 14-bit ADCs with exceptionally low noise, input leakage and voltage offset. PSoC devices include up to 32KB of Flash memory, 2KB of SRAM, an 8x8 multiplier with 32-bit accumulator, power and sleep monitoring circuits, and hardware I2C communications.

All PSoC devices are dynamically reconfigurable, enabling designers to create new system functions on-the-fly. Designers can achieve far greater than 100 percent utilization of the die, in many cases, by reconfiguring the same silicon for different functions at different times. Learn more about PSoC products at www.cypress.com/psoc and receive free online training at www.cypress.com/psoctraining.

About Cypress

Cypress delivers high-performance, mixed-signal, programmable solutions that provide customers with rapid time-to-market and exceptional system value. Cypress offerings include the PSoC[R] Programmable System-on-Chip[TM], USB controllers, general-purpose programmable clocks and memories. Cypress also offers wired and wireless connectivity solutions ranging from its WirelessUSB[TM] radio system-on-chip, to West Bridge[TM] and EZ-USB[R] FX2LP controllers that enhance connectivity and performance in multimedia handsets. Cypress serves numerous markets including consumer, computation, data communications, automotive, industrial, and solar power. Cypress trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol CY. Visit Cypress online at www.cypress.com.

Cypress, the Cypress logo, PSoC and EZ-USB are registered trademarks, and Programmable System-on-Chip, PSoC Designer, WirelessUSB and West Bridge are trademarks of Cypress Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.