Software turns programmable chip to card reader

Cypress MicroSystems has developed a reference design that uses a portion of the PSoC mixed-signal array to implement a two-channel magnetic card reader.

Cypress MicroSystems has developed a reference design that uses a portion of the PSoC mixed-signal array to implement a two-channel magnetic card reader.

This reference design will streamline the development of applications that include magnetic card reader capabilities, such as security systems, credit card verification machines and point-of-sale terminals.

Electronics engineers can now leverage the flexible PSoC architecture and predeveloped magnetic card subsystem to cut development time and reduce the bill-of-materials cost with the integration of the analogue front end and associated ADCs while leaving plenty of processing power and other PSoC resources for further system integration.

PSoC products are based on a configurable mixed signal array with onboard controller, offering significant advantages for applications that include a magnetic card reader.

Using a PSoC device, designers can reconfigure blocks of analogue and digital logic to perform multiple functions for greater than 100% utilisation of available resources.

Therefore, a single PSoC device can collect data from a card's magnetic stripe then dynamically reconfigure itself to process the data, and switch back to the data collection configuration.

This dynamic reconfiguration eliminates the need for dedicated chips to perform each operation.

The PSoC array reduces component count by providing sufficient analogue and digital resources to convert the small magnetic signals from the magnetic heads into data that can be used in other parts of the application.

In contrast, traditional microcontroller-based solutions require additional chips and passive components to read the data from a magnetic card stripe.

This reduction in component count can dramatically increase the profitability of these cost-sensitive applications.

"Magnetic card readers are now a ubiquitous form of information exchange in thousands of everyday applications that range from retail credit card terminals to ATMs to access control systems", said Nathan John, Director of Strategic Marketing for Cypress MicroSystems.

"The flexibility and power of the PSoC architecture allow embedded designers to include a two-channel magnetic card reader into their applications for virtually no cost, while the new reference design provides this subsystem in a complete and tested form to simplify the development process".

"Think of the number of places and the number of times each day that you use a magnetic card, and you can understand the level of impact this technological breakthrough will have".

Cypress MicroSystems' magnetic card reader design software is now available for free download at from the download area of the company's website.

The company also offers a magnetic card reader design kit (CY3220MAGCRD-RD), which includes a reference board and documentation for US $199.

The first family of PSoC mixed signal arrays (CY8C25x/26x) is currently available for 1000-unit pricing ranging from $2.80 to $5.50.

A software integrated development environment toolset, called PSoC Designer, supports development of all devices in the PSoC family.

Customers may also purchase the basic development kit, including a full speed emulator (PSoC ICE-4000), for $248.

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