Cypress' MCUs tailored for HIDs

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. introduced a suite of new additions to its family of USB microcontrollers (MCUs). The new enCoRe III (enhanced component reduction) MCUs extend the enCoRe family's performance and flexibility to full-speed applications, and the enhanced low-speed enCoRe II devices have added Flash memory and reduce overall system costs while increasing performance. Cypress added that the enCoRe family's flexible mix of speeds and configurations serves a broad range of human interface devices (HIDs) such as mice, keyboards, wireless dongles and gaming controllers, as well as Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) handsets.

The enCoRe III device has 16K of Flash memory and a digital system that allows for true flexibility when choosing peripheral configurations. This device provides users with 16-channel/10 bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) for demanding, full-speed USB applications. In addition, the enCoRe III provides a Pulse Width Modulator for force feedback gaming capability. Based on the flexible Programmable-System-on-Chip (PSoC) architecture, the enCoRe III can be used in virtually any full speed application ranging from USB-Serial applications to VoIP Handsets to USB gamepads.

The new enCoRe II MCUs are targeted at feature-rich, low-cost USB mice, including trackball, optical and laser models. The enCoRe II architecture provides many performance and cost options to build the right mouse for multiple markets, said Cypress. Users can choose from 3K to 8K of Flash memory to find the appropriate performance and cost combination. Additionally, the enCoRe II provides a 3.3V regulator that can power external devices such as an optical sensor.

"Cypress's USB technology has earned an industry-leading position by offering the best value across a broad performance range, and the enCoRe family of USB MCUs is a prime-example of this architectural flexibility," said Steven Larky, managing director of Cypress's USB product line. "Portable consumer devices, mice, keyboards and other HID devices are becoming more and more complex and powerful, increasing demands on connectivity. Our enCoRe products empower application designers to select the ideal combination of performance and price."

All of the new enCoRe products are already available. The full-speed enCoRe III (CY7C64215) is housed in 56-pin QFN and 28-pin SSOP packages and pricing starts under $1.30 in high volumes. Meanwhile, the low-speed enCoRe II suite of devices is available in multiple configurations and packages, with pricing starting under 96 cents in high volume orders.