Cypress CapSense device is industry’s lowest-power, configurable touch-sensing controller

SAN JOSE, USA: Cypress Semiconductor Corp. has announced a new line of CapSense capacitive touch-sensing devices with low-power 1.8V operation to extend battery life in handheld mobile consumer applications. The CY8C20xx6A devices replace mechanical buttons and sliders, offering attractive, functional interface options for designers.

The new family also offers exceptional response time with the most precise scanning of any CapSense devices. With superior immunity to conducted and radiated noise, as well as robust waterproofing, the new devices also enable reliable touch-sensing operation in applications such as white goods, home appliances, printers, computers and TVs/monitors.

Additionally, the CY8C20xx6A family offers the new patent-pending SmartSense solution, which automatically calibrates capacitive-sensing parameters during the design process, cutting days of development time. Cypress announced the SmartSense solution as well.

The CY8C20xx6A devices have up to 36 general-purpose I/Os (GPIOs) to implement multiple CapSense interfaces. Leveraging the PSoC programmable system-on-chip architecture, a single new CapSense device can also manage functions such as motor control, intelligent sensing, LED control and more – a capability called CapSense Plus.

Additionally, the new devices include a full-speed USB interface. The easy-to-use CapSense devices allow customers to bring products to market quickly. The CY8C20xx6A device line is available in multiple configurations and packages, including a small form factor 3x3x0.6-mm 16-pin QFN.

“Robust immunity to noise and water has helped the CapSense solution build a strong leadership position in mobile consumer and wall-plugged applications,” said Gokul Krishnan, director of marketing for the User Interface Business Unit at Cypress. “The 1.8V operation of the new CY8C20xx6A devices significantly boosts the CapSense advantage for battery-powered electronics as we extend our leadership position in the touch-sensing market.”

The new CY8C20xx6A CapSense devices are supported by the CY3280-20X66 CapSense Development Kit, which includes a development board with ports for the following plug-in modules:

* CY3280-SLM – Linear Slider Module
* CY3280-SRM – Radial Slider Module
* CY3280-TPM – Trackpad Module
* CY3280-BSM – Simple Button Module
* CY3280-BMM – Matrixed Button Module
* CY3280-BBM – Breadboard Module.

Each package option of the new low-power devices is also supported by a CY3250-20xx6 ICE Pod Kit that includes emulator pods and feet, enabling a designer to perform system-level debugging.