Kits offer low-cost intro to PSoC development

Cypress MicroSystems has released three inexpensive development kits for its PSoC programmable system-on-chip mixed-signal array devices.

Cypress MicroSystems has released three inexpensive development kits for its PSoC programmable system-on-chip mixed-signal array devices.

The low-cost development tools enable designers of embedded control systems to design, emulate, debug and prototype PSoC devices without designing a printed circuit board.

The new kits include the CY3215-DK, a powerful in-system emulator; the CY3210-PSoCEval1, an evaluation board with mini-programmer; and Flex-Pod Kits, which integrate a cable, pod, mask and foot into one component.

They expedite and simplify design with Cypress's PSoC mixed-signal arrays, single-chip devices that integrate a microcontroller and the analogue and digital components that typically surround it.

A single PSoC device can integrate as many as 100 peripheral functions with the microcontroller, saving customers design time, board space, power consumption, and system costs.

"These kits make designing with PSoC devices simpler, faster and less expensive", said Greg Verge, Senior Applications Engineer, Cypress MicroSystems.

"We're confident that when engineers begin to work with these products, they'll realise numerous benefits, including shorter design cycles, reduced part counts and lower cost".

The new CY3215-DK professional-class development kit includes a tiny footprint, high-speed in-circuit USB 2.0-based emulator with a large trace buffer, which seamlessly integrates with PSoC Designer and the user's development board.

The kit also contains all materials for the first four "tele-training" classes offered online by Cypress.

The easy-to-use tools support all the advanced PSoC packages and provide all the features found in tools costing $2500 or more.

Everything a designer needs to get started with PSoC is included in the development kit: ICE-Cube in-circuit emulator; ICE Flex-Pod for CY8C29xxx family; Imagecraft C-compiler (registration required); backward compatibility Cat5 adapter; ISSP cable; Mini-Eval programming board in one; USB 2.0 cable and blue Cat5 cable; 110-240V power supply, Euro-plug adapter; and two CY8C29466-24PXI 28-PDIP chip samples.

The CY3210-PSoCEval1 evaluation kit features an evaluation board and mini-programming unit (MiniProg) that supports all PSoC CY8C2x family members, significantly reducing a designer's learning curve and product development cycle.

analogue and digital board resources include a 28-pin PSoC socket; an In-System Serial Programming (ISSP) connector; a 5V regulator powered from a wall transformer or 9V battery; an RS232 serial port with DB-9 for general use; an LCD; a solderless breadboard; LEDs for diagnostic tests; and a potentiometer.

The MiniProg programming unit is also included with the kit and will program PSoC devices directly on the evaluation board or on other boards via a 5-pin header.

This programming unit is small and compact, and connects to a PC via a provided USB 2.0 cable.

The mini-programmer can be purchased separately with a mini-evaluation PCB board.

The mini-evaluation board includes LEDs, a pushbutton switch and a potentiometer, but no LCD module or breadboard prototyping space.

The new CY3215-DK supports new state-of-the-art Flex-Pod technology.

Flex-Pods improve on what used to be a multiple-component approach to emulation.

The Flex-Pod integrates the cable, pod, mask, and foot into one component.

This integration enhances signal integrity and improves both electrical and mechanical reliability.

The small size facilitates emulation on densely packed PCBs.

All the kits are available today through the "online store" on the Cypress website.

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