Cypress PSoC Creator software for PSoC 3 and PSoC 5 architectures

SAN JOSE, USA: Cypress Semiconductor Corp. today introduced the PSoC Creator Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for the new PSoC 3 and PSoC 5 programmable system-on-chip families.Source: Cypress.

The unique new design software enables engineers to design the way they think, using schematic-based design capture along with certified, pre-packaged peripherals to keep system creation independent of the target PSoC device.

Instead of trawling through device documentation and memorizing register maps, users simply layout the design, just as they would on paper or a whiteboard, and let the tool translate it into the PSoC configuration. With PSoC Creator, customers create designs according to application requirements, not the limitations of the target device.

Re-targeting to new devices is as simple as rebuilding an application, so porting designs between PSoC devices becomes a snap, including migrating working designs seamlessly from 8- to 32-bit devices.

PSoC Creator combines a state-of-the-art software development IDE with a revolutionary graphical design editor to form a uniquely powerful hardware/software co-design environment.

It provides a rich library of dozens of pre-configured analog and digital peripherals that can easily be dropped into the schematic design canvas and combined into powerful systems. The tool automatically routes all on-chip signals and can even direct I/O to the optimum pins if desired.

Each peripheral component is carefully parameterized so that the implementation can be optimized to fit the developer’s needs perfectly with no wasted resources. The build process generates a consistent, easily remembered set of APIs for each component that allows the software developer to control the hardware without worrying about the underlying implementation. Customized designs, and their associated APIs, can even be saved in a library for future reuse and easily shared within an organization.

Cypress also offers fully functional, free compilers with no code size limitations for both the PSoC 3 and PSoC 5 device families. The Keil CA51 Compiler for PSoC 3 and the GNU GCC-ARM Compiler for PSoC 5 are both bundled with the PSoC Creator distribution. PSoC Creator also includes a built-in debugger to support the on-chip debug and trace functionality provided in all PSoC 3 and PSoC 5 devices.

Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) supported include Keil RTX51Tiny, Micrium mC/OS-II, and SEGGER emboss. PSoC Creator is expandable so new compilers, editors and Real-Time Operating Systems can be added in the future.

“Embedded designers finally have a tool that works the way they think, allowing them to create solutions without the constraints of specific devices or limitations between software and hardware designs,” said Norm Taffe, executive vice president of the Consumer and Computation Division at Cypress. “Our lead customers are just as enthusiastic about the PSoC Creator design methodology as they are about the PSoC 3 and PSoC 5 families themselves.”

“PSoC Creator is unlike other embedded design tools we have seen,” said Rich Wawrzyniak, Sr. Analyst, ASIC and SoC at Semico Research Corp. “It combines the speed and convenience of pre-built peripheral functions with the flexibility to create and re-use customized IP.”

PSoC Creator is available today at no cost from www.cypress.com/go/psoccreator.

Cypress' CapSense solution powers Midea's microwave oven

SAN JOSE, USA: Cypress Semiconductor Corp. today announced that its PSoC-based CapSense capacitive touch-sensing solution has been selected to power the controls of a new microwave oven from Midea, a leading home appliance manufacturer in China.

The CapSense solution delivers reliable operation for 13 buttons and one slider, employing the industry’s most robust RF noise-immunity and a specialized, adaptive algorithm to filter noise from disruptive microwave radiation.

CapSense’s flexible PSoC architecture enabled Midea’s designers to implement LED control and I2C communication with the same CapSense device -- a capability called CapSense Plus.

Midea’s new TW025LC7-BR microwave also functions as a barbeque and steam-cooker. The appliance’s steam-cooking method minimizes the loss of nutrients. The microwave is easy-to-clean, energy efficient and durable, leveraging the proven water-resistance of CapSense controls. The touch-sensing controls also add to the appliance’s smart looks and efficient operation.

“As the established leader in touch-sensing, Cypress’s capacitive sensing methods are several generations ahead of competing products,” said Gokul Krishnan, Director of Marketing for the User Interface Business Unit at Cypress.

“This technical advantage is manifested in features such as robust immunity to water and radiation and the ability to integrate additional functions. This makes CapSense the ideal solution for leading white goods manufacturers such as Midea.”

“CapSense enabled us to achieve the reliable performance and stylish design we wanted for our new microwave,” said Yao Long, project manager at Midea. “Additionally, Cypress helped speed our time to market with easy-to-use tools, testing firmware and outstanding design support.”

Acer selects Cypress's PSoC CapSense for media console in Aspire notebook PCs

SAN JOSE, USA: Cypress Semiconductor Corp. announced that Acer has selected its PSoC CapSense touch sensing solution for its striking new Aspire 4935G/4937G notebook computers in Asia and Aspire 8935/5935 notebooks in the Americas.

Acer was able to use a single CapSense device in a tiny 32-QFN package to control the complete suite of media functions available on the new laptops. No competitive solutions were able to accommodate all the necessary functions in a single chip.

The programmable CapSense architecture enabled Acer to create the innovative media consoles and then customize them for separate markets and models using the same CapSense device. This saved design time and reduced inventory requirements.

The single device manages seven buttons, a five-segment slider and 14 LEDs, all in a tiny 32-QFN package, allowing Acer to optimize board-space usage. The CapSense solution also allows designers to make last-minute changes, add features and control additional functions beyond the capacitive touch interface — capabilities that are not available from other capacitive sensing products.

“This is another important design win with a premier notebook provider,” said Dhwani Vyas, vice president of Cypress’s User Interface Business Unit. “Acer selected CapSense last year, and with this year’s more aggressive design objectives, CapSense again was the best solution. We continue to gain momentum as the user interface of choice for new computer models.”

“We are pleased that Cypress was able to integrate our aggressive feature list in a single chip with a very small package,” said Johnny Shyy, Director of Notebook Product Management, for Acer. “One of the factors that differentiate the Aspire notebooks from the competition is the intuitive and stylish user interface. Cypress’s CapSense solution is a major part of this success.”

CapSense
Cypress's CapSense Touch-Sensing solution has replaced 2.5 billion mechanical buttons in mobile handsets, laptops, consumer electronics, white goods, automotive applications, and virtually any system that has a mechanical button or switch, making Cypress the industry touch-sensing leader.

The CapSense portfolio, the industry's broadest and most integrated, enhances industrial design and reliability with the most noise-immune and water tolerant capacitive touch-sensing interfaces, including proximity sensing where direct touch is not required. CapSense proximity sensing, with its industry leading detection range up to 25 cm, provides power savings by activating an interface only when needed while further enhancing industrial designs by only exposing interfaces when necessary.

Based on the PSoC programmable system-on-chip architecture and the PSoC Designer Embedded-System Design Tool, users complete CapSense designs quickly and easily using pre-configured and verified "user modules" and real-time sensor tuning and monitoring.