Features - Storage Innovations:

CYPRESS ADDS LOW-POWER MASS-STORAGE TO ITS USB 2.0 PORTFOLIO

Cypress Semiconductor Corporation -- an industry leader in USB -- has announced the addition of a low-power mass-storage bridge solution to its broad portfolio of USB 2.0 products, a fixed-function ATA/ATAPI mass-storage controller that supports hi-speed USB bus-powered applications.

Cypress is sampling the ISD-300LP (CY7C68310) low-power mass-storage controller. Compatible with all industry-standard ATA/ATAPI devices, the ISD-300LP enables portable computer users to take their mass-storage subsystems with them without the need to plug into wall outlets.

USB 2.0 devices can be either "self-powered" -- drawing current from an external power supply -- or "bus-powered," drawing power from a computer's internal USB bus. With the introduction of bus-powered devices, consumers are able to get rid of external power supplies and cables, enabling truly portable applications and making devices such as flash card readers or portable audio players even more manageable.

"The ISD-300LP is a major enabling technology for portable storage devices," said Cedric van Rossum, USB Product Manager for Cypress's Personal Communications Division. "Using the computer's own internal bus for its power source, the ISD-300LP will free mobile computer users from the wall plug, making it possible for them to carry along large amounts of data, all accessible at high speed. We expect the latest addition to our USB portfolio to find widespread and enthusiastic acceptance in the mobile computing community."

The CY4617 reference design kit is also available with the ISD-300LP. This kit includes an evaluation board, hardware, software, windows driver and manufacturing utilities that developers need to implement the high-speed USB 2.0 interface in mass-storage peripherals.

Availability

The CY7C68310 is sampling now in an 80-pin TQFP package, with full production expected in May. The CY7C68310 pricing starts at $4.95 for 1,000 units. The reference design kit (CY4617) is available now through Cypress distributors and is priced at $199.

About Cypress' USB Products

Cypress offers a broad 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.