SAN JOSE, CA /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- Cypress Semiconductor Corp. announced it has qualified a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio to integrate with its programmable platforms. Cypress will develop single-chip solutions combining this radio with its PSoC programmable system-on-chip, industry-leading CapSense capacitive sensing and TrueTouch touchscreen technologies. These combinations will enable Cypress to quickly address emerging Bluetooth smart applications, such as PC peripherals, remote controls, wearable electronics, and portable medical devices.
"Adding a BLE radio to our programmable platforms allows Cypress to explore an intriguing variety of new solutions," said Hassane El-Khoury, Executive Vice President of the Programmable Systems Division at Cypress. "For example, pairing this efficient wireless connectivity with the programmable analog of PSoC delivers unparalleled flexibility for designers of wearable electronics and other emerging applications.
"Additionally in the wearable market, BLE is a complementary technology for our TrueTouch products, providing designers with a true single-chip solution that integrates capacitive sensing, an analog frontend for biometrics sensors, and now BLE for power savings and smaller design footprints," said El-Khoury.
Cypress has qualified the BLE radio in its S8 130 nm flash-based Silicon Oxide Nitride Oxide Silicon (SONOS) process technology, which is the primary manufacturing technology for PSoC, CapSense, and TrueTouch products. SONOS is compatible with standard CMOS technologies and offers numerous advantages, including high endurance, low power, and radiation hardness. The technology enables Cypress's BLE radio to operate in the industrial temperature range of –40°C to 85°C.
"BLE is quickly gaining adoption in a broad range of human interface devices," said Badri Kothandaraman, EVP of Data Communications Division. "Its low power consumption extends system battery life and eliminates the need for an external dongle, which has been a requirement in systems based on proprietary 2.4 GHz technology. The integration of this wireless connectivity and touch functionality enables the development of cost-effective, compact and sleek designs."
Cypress expects to sample its first integrated BLE device in the first quarter of 2014.
About Cypress
Cypress Semiconductor Corp. delivers high-performance, mixed-signal, programmable solutions that provide customers with rapid time-to-market and exceptional system value. Cypress offerings include the flagship PSoC 1, PSoC 3, PSoC 4, and PSoC 5 programmable system-on-chip families. Cypress is a world leader in capacitive user interface solutions, including CapSense touch sensing, TrueTouch touch screens, and trackpad solutions for notebook PCs and peripherals. Cypress is a world leader in USB controllers, which enhance connectivity and performance in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. Cypress is also a world leader in SRAM and nonvolatile RAM memories. Cypress serves numerous major markets, including consumer, mobile handsets, computation, data communications, automotive, industrial, and military.
Trademarks
Cypress, the Cypress logo, PSoC, CapSense, and TrueTouch are registered trademarks, and S8 is a trademark of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. All other trademarks are property of their owners.