Cypress Samples Next-Generation USB Embedded Host Family

EZ-Host and EZ-OTG Enable Cameras, PDAs, Cell Phones, Set-Top Boxes to Communicate Directly

SAN JOSE, Calif., February 24, 2003 â€“Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: CY)—the industry leader in USB—today announced a new family of next-generation USB embedded host controllers. Featuring 16-Bit RISC controllers, large memory and low power, the devices make it possible to develop embedded applications—including cell phones, PDAs, printers, cameras and music players—that can connect to each other without the need for a host computer.

EZ-HostTM (CY7C67300) is a multi-port embedded host/peripheral controller targeted at the non-handheld market—including set-top boxes, DVD players, Internet appliances, wireless access points, print servers and KVM switches. EZ-Host contains a high-performance 16-bit RISC microcontroller; two USB serial interface engines (SIEs), each individually configurable, with two ports per SIE; and a configurable I/O block that can connect to numerous standard interfaces.

EZ-OTGTM (CY7C67200) contains most of the functionality of EZ-Host but is customized for mobile devices—including cell phones, PDAs, video and still cameras, MP3 players and mass storage devices. Supporting the USB On-the-Go (OTG) protocol, EZ-OTG enables true “plug-and-play” connectivity between portable devices. EZ-OTG contains two USB SIEs, with one port per SIE, and a power-boost circuit that operates down to 2.7V.

Both EZ-Host and EZ-OTG can operate as either hosts or peripherals, depending on the application. Both contain 16 kbytes of RAM, making possible custom applications; multiple CPU interfaces; and on-board BIOS to handle a portion of the USB processing. The embedded processor eliminates the need for an external CPU in many applications.  Cypress has leveraged its industry leading SRAM technology to provide a device with added functionality while remaining cost competitive with other solutions in the marketplace.

To enable the advanced capabilities the devices, Cypress provides all of the necessary support, including a complete development kit with programming tools, Linux drivers, frame work firmware, and functional examples.   Real Time Operating System (RTOS) support, including availability of a USB stack and class drivers, simplifies the total solution development effort. 

“EZ-Host and EZ-OTG give designers a new level of flexibility and control,” said Cathal Phelan, vice president of Cypress’s Personal Communications Division. “They enable new applications in systems without an existing CPU, and act as a co-processor in applications with a CPU, enabling additional functionality and enhanced system performance. Their large on-board memory space lets designers embed custom code to produce tailored applications without incurring the cost of an ASIC. They’re the most flexible USB host/peripheral solutions on the market, and at a very attractive price.”

“Cypress is taking the right approach,” said Brian O'Rourke, Senior Analyst with Instat/MDR. “The high-growth opportunities for USB in the future will be the ones that move USB away from the PC. This includes portable applications such as cell phones and PDAs as well as non-PC form factors like set-top boxes.”

These dual-role devices comply with the USB 2.0 specification, support both full- and low-speed traffic and are fully compatible with the USB On-the-Go Supplement. Both devices give OEM customers the ability to create a true USB mobile and/or embedded host device that can perform select host functions independent of a PC but that can also operate as a peripheral to a PC.

USB On-The-Go (OTG): The new USB Standard for Embedded Devices
OTG is a new supplement to the USB 2.0 specification aimed at the portable market.  Cypress Semiconductor has extended its position as industry leader in USB peripheral technology by taking a leading role in the OTG working group and in defining the specification. 

Price and Availability
Development Kits and devices are currently sampling to qualified beta customers. EZ-Host (CY7C67300) is available in a 100-pin TQFP package for $4.99 in quantities of 10K units. EZ-OTG (CY7C67200) is available in a 48-ball FBGA for $3.99 in quantities of 10K units.

About Cypress’ USB Products
Cypress offers the industry’s broadest portfolio of low-, full- and high-speed USB devices, including integrated microcontrollers for hosts, hubs and peripherals, as well as individual devices such as transceivers, serial interface engines and bridges. This broad portfolio enables designers to choose between the benefits of using an integrated solution or supplementing their own designs with key Cypress devices.

About Cypress
Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: CY) is Connecting from Last Mile to First Mileâ„¢ with high-performance solutions for personal, network access, enterprise, metro switch, and core communications-system applications. Cypress Connectsâ„¢ using wireless, wireline, digital, and optical transmission standards, including Bluetooth, USB, Fibre Channel, SONET/SDH, Gigabit Ethernet, and DWDM. Leveraging its process and system-level expertise, Cypress makes industry-leading physical layer devices, framers, and network search engines, along with a broad portfolio of high-bandwidth memories, timing technology solutions, and programmable microcontrollers. More information about Cypress is accessible online at www.cypress.com.

# # #

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements herein that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” involving risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the effect of global economic conditions, shifts in supply and demand, market acceptance, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and capacity and supply constraints. Please refer to Cypress's Securities and Exchange Commission filings for a discussion of such risks.

Cypress, the Cypress logo and EZ-USB are registered trademarks of Cypress Semiconductor Corporation. “Connectivity from Last Mile to First Mile”,  “Cypress Connects”,  EZ-Host and EZ-OTG are trademarks of Cypress. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.