Sharp Selects Cypress's 2.4 GHz Wireless Solution To Power Internet Remote Control

San Jose, CA -- Cypress Semiconductor Corp. announced that Sharp Corporation has chosen Cypress's WirelessUSB LP 2.4 GHz transceiver and enCoRe III 8-bit reprogrammable flash microcontroller (MCU) for the remote control used with its Internet AQUOS line of LCD television and PC systems. The Internet AQUOS remote control serves as TV remote, mouse, and keyboard thanks to alpha-numeric keys, a trackpad, and RF connectivity. The remote uses Cypress's WirelessUSB LP radio to maintain RF performance in the home, avoiding interference from other 2.4 GHz sources. Cypress's wireless solution overcomes infrared's line of sight limitations, and it also preserves battery life with best-in-class power consumption.

The Sharp Internet AQUOS PC-TV combination lets users watch broadband broadcasting on a high-resolution screen with a home entertainment PC running Windows Vista. The accompanying remote control allows users to conveniently control the Internet AQUOS system even if the media server is tucked away for aesthetic reasons. The new remote leverages the interference immunity of Cypress's WirelessUSB protocol for uninterrupted operation in the home environment, where the 2.4-GHz spectrum is crowded with signals from common appliances such as Wi-Fi, microwaves, and cordless phones.

"The Internet AQUOS PC-TV combination brings rich Internet content to Sharp's leading LCD-HDTV products; the creative remote control design places the power of both at the fingertips of consumers," said Shingo Fueta, department general manager of New Business Development Center, Wireless Convergence Division, Information and Communication Systems Group, Sharp Corporation. "Controlling a television and PC functionality goes beyond the capabilities of traditional infrared remotes, but Cypress's technology enables the reliable communication link our system demands and allows consumers to experience true wireless freedom and mobility."

"We are pleased to have an industry leader such as Sharp select our 2.4-GHz WirelessUSB technology for their innovative Internet AQUOS line of home entertainment products," said Matt Branda, senior product marketing manager of Cypress's Wireless Solutions. "WirelessUSB LP is making strong inroads into the remote control market as RF technology begins to displace infrared due to its inherent limitations."

SOURCE: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.