QuickLogic Unveils Smart I/O Connectivity for Smartbook/Netbook and Mobile Developers

QuickLogic announced it has expanded its line of Smart I/O Proven System Blocks (PSBs) for use in Customer Specific Standard Products (CSSPs).

Among the PSBs now available are an I2C master controller, a pulse width modulator (PWM), a PS2 controller, and a low-power matrix keyboard controller.

"Many developers of smartbooks and netbooks are approaching the market from the smartphone point-of-view," said Brian Faith, QuickLogic's VP of worldwide marketing. "They are utilizing ARM processor architectures, which in many cases do not have all of the required I/O that consumers have come to expect from computing products. QuickLogic's CSSPs with Smart I/O PSBs close these gaps quickly, with low BOM cost and PCB space."

QuickLogic said its PSB library already includes highly desirable I/O functions such as USB 2.0 High Speed Host/Client/OTG, various memory card and HDD mass storage interfaces, general-purpose I/O (GPIO), and LCD display controllers featuring QuickLogic's Visual Enhancement Engine (VEE). Now, PS/2 interface, PWM control, matrix keyboard, and I2C host controller functions have been added and, due to their configurable nature, can connect these critical I/O functions to whatever processor architecture the developer chooses. These I/O functions are especially valuable in the smartbook/netbook market:

- PS/2 interfaces are commonly used for controlling touchpad pointing devices.

- I2C master controllers provide efficient control of position and orientation sensors such as electronic compasses and accelerometers, ambient light and proximity sensors, as well as touch-screen controllers.

- PWM controllers provide backlight intensity control as well as on-off and variable brightness control for indicator LEDs, including the new "breathing" functionality.

- A matrix keyboard controller provides a low-power interface for low-cost full-function keyboards, and includes support for features such as 3-key rollover and ghosting detection.

All of these Smart I/O PSBs are available immediately and can be embedded in all CSSPs utilizing the PolarPro, PolarPro II, ArcticLink and ArcticLink II solution platform families.

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