Controller accelerates handset-PC interfacing

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Nov 28, 2006

Controller provides the highest-performance handset-to-PC connection for rapid transfers of music files, photos and videos.

Cypress Semiconductor Corp has introduced the world's first dedicated peripheral controller for multimedia handsets.

The new West Bridge Antioch controller provides the highest-performance handset-to-PC connection for rapid transfers of music files, photos and videos.

The Antioch controller, the first member of the West Bridge family, offers a direct path from high-speed USB 2.0 to the latest handset storage devices such as Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia Card (MMC), hard disk drive (HDD) and NAND Flash.

By fully offloading management of USB and storage from the main baseband processor, the controller saves critical processor resources and allows a mobile handset to maintain full functionality while simultaneously uploading or downloading multimedia files, synchronising PIM data, or even using the phone as a PC modem.

The West Bridge Antioch device marks the debut of Cypress's Simultaneous Link to Independent Multimedia (SLIM) architecture, which manages dedicated paths to allow the processor host (P-port), mass storage (S-port) and High-Speed USB (U-port) interfaces to connect independently.

This innovative architecture, combined with 16 USB endpoints, creates new simultaneous usage models when the phone is connected to a PC, and a better overall user experience.

"Working closely with the leading mobile handset companies, we developed the West Bridge Antioch controller to achieve a new level of performance and connectivity", said Alakesh Chetia, Director of the West Bridge Business Unit at Cypress.

"The Antioch controller opens up high-speed data transfer of multimedia files without hindering the primary communication function of the phone".

"The number of phones with music capability will see tremendous growth over the next few years", said Alan Brown, Research Director at market research firm Gartner Dataquest.

"Higher transfer speeds of music and other media to and from the phone will make the phone easier to use and more attractive to consumers".

The Cypress West Bridge Antioch controller addresses these needs by enabling faster transfer of music and other media to and from the phone, giving a better consumer experience.

The West Bridge Antioch controller is a dedicated mobile handset solution that features a low-power 1.8V core to support an I/O voltage range of 1.8 to 3.3V seamlessly interfacing with several generations of handset processors.

The device comes in a small 100-ball fpBGA (fine pitch ball grid array) package that measures only 6 x 6mm and 0.5-mm pitch.

Antioch leverages Cypress's 0.13um C8 low power process technology to slash dynamic and standby current.

Additionally, Antioch supports standard cellphone frequencies such as 19.2 and 26MHz for clock input, removing the need for an additional crystal.

The new CYWB0124AB West Bridge Antioch controller meets all USB 2.0 certification criteria and is sampling today with full production expected in first quarter of 2007.

Pricing in 500,000-unit quantities is under US $4.