Cypress unveils PSoC 3 family with integrated low-power programmable digital logic

SAN JOSE, USA: Cypress Semiconductor Corp. has introduced a new family in its PSoC 3 architecture. The family is optimized for applications requiring programmable digital peripherals.

The new CY8C32xxx Programmable Digital PSoC 3 Family enables the integration of digital peripherals including PWMs, Timers, Counters, UARTs, glue logic and state machines. Additionally, the family offers customizable digital functions and interfaces lowering overall system power by migrating traditional CPU functions to programmable digital logic.The CY8C32xxx devices address a broad range of applications including interface bridging, I/O expansion, power-up sequencing and peripheral control. These applications are common in end markets such as communications equipment, servers and motor control. The Programmable Digital Family is now sampling along with the original three PSoC 3 families: the CY8C38xxx Precision Analog Family, the CY8C36xxx Performance Analog Family and the CY8C34xxx Analog Lite Family.

The new CY8C32xxx family is powered by up to 24 Universal Digital Blocks (UDBs) each consisting of a combination of uncommitted logic (PLD), structured logic (8-bit datapath), and flexible routing to other UDBs, I/O or peripherals. The UDBs can be programmed with a large library of pre-characterized digital peripherals, and can also be customized using Verilog code to implement uncommon functions and interfaces that traditionally require a low-power CPLD.

The programming and customization is simplified through the PSoC Creator™ integrated development environment (IDE). PSoC Creator provides fully tested, pre-packaged analog and digital peripherals easily customizable through user-intuitive wizards and APIs to meet specific design requirements.

Additionally, the CY8C32xxx family includes basic analog peripherals such as a 12-bit Delta-Sigma ADC, internal voltage reference, 2 comparators and an 8-bit DAC to enable easy interfacing to analog signals.

The new CY8C32xxx extends the PSoC 3 Architecture, powered by the high performance 8-bit 8051 processor, to a total of four families listed below, which each address different market segments:

• The CY8C38xxx Precision Analog PSoC 3 Family with a 20-bit delta-sigma ADC, 4 DACs, 4 programmable analog blocks and a digital filter block.
• The CY8C36xxx Performance Analog PSoC 3 Family with a 12-bit delta-sigma ADC, 4 DACs, 4 programmable analog blocks and a digital filter block.
• The CY8C34xxx Analog Lite PSoC 3 Family with a 12-bit delta-sigma ADC, 2 DACs and 2 programmable analog blocks.
• The CY8C32xxx Programmable Digital PSoC 3 Family with up to 24 UDBs, a 12-bit delta-sigma ADC, and 2 comparators

”The new CY8C32xxx family and its programmable-logic based digital resources are ideal for various interface and peripheral control applications,” said Jim Davis, product manager for PSoC 3 platform products at Cypress. “The devices highlight the flexibility and integration of our unique, low-power PLD-based Universal Digital Blocks.”

The UDBs can be utilized to implement functions not found in fixed-function MCUs, such as implementing up to 52 PWMs in a single device, as well as less common communication interfaces that traditionally require a low-power CPLD or custom ASIC.

The hardware in UDBs enables distributed processing in the PSoC 3 architecture, offloading the CPU and providing faster response times than traditional MCU solutions. Distributed processing also delivers power and performance advantages in CPU-intensive peripheral control applications such as motor control.

Samples of the four PSoC 3 families are available today, with full production expected in the third quarter of 2010. Package options include 100-pin TQFPs, 48- and 68-pin QFNs and 48-pin SSOPs.