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Oscium's iMSO-104 turns iPad, iPhone into mixed signal oscilloscopes

We've seen oscilloscopes repurposed as clocks and MAME machines, but we hardly ever see the pendulum swing in the opposite direction. The iMSO-104, however, actually turns your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch into an oscilloscope display. Using a Cypress Semiconductor system on a chip, the iMSO-104 touts a 5MHz bandwidth and as much as 12 megasamples per second, and connects to your device by way of the dock connector -- according to its maker, it's also the world's smallest and most portable oscilloscope. That's all well and good, but what we really want to know is, does it support Tennis for Two? The iMSO-104 is now available for pre-order for $300, but if you're itching to see the thing in action, you can download the corresponding app today and give it a test drive. Full PR after the break.


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Oscium's New iMSO-104 Oscilloscope Powered By Cypress's PSoC® 3 Device Turns iPod touch, iPhone and iPad into Easy-to-Use Mixed Signal Scopes

PSoC 3 Handles Apple's Proprietary Interface For iOS Devices While Processing Incoming Analog and Digital Signals for Intuitive Scope System That's Both Affordable and Portable

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 6, 2011 – Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (Nasdaq: CY) today announced that Oscium has selected the PSoC® 3 programmable system-on-chip for its revolutionary new iMSO-104 mixed signal oscilloscope for iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. The PSoC 3 device in the iMSO-104 seamlessly manages the two-way communication between the oscilloscope and any iOS device via Apple's proprietary dock connector, and also processes the incoming analog and digital signals.

The iMSO-104 from Oscium is the first mixed-signal oscilloscope that leverages Apple's ubiquitous iOS devices. It is the smallest, most portable scope in the world, making it the ideal solution for hobbyists and students, as well as field sales and application engineers. It boasts a 5 MHz bandwidth and up to 12 MSPS (megasamples per second) sample rate, while simultaneously analyzing up to one analog and four digital signals. In conjunction with the iMSO app (available for download from the Apple App Store) and Apple's intuitive multitouch user interfaces, brilliant displays, and computation power, the iMSO-104 delivers the easiest, most intuitive scope solution on the market. The iMSO-104 sells for US$279.99. More information is available at www.oscium.com.

Oscium engineers were able to quickly and easily interface to iOS devices using Cypress's CY8CKIT-023 PSoC Expansion Board Kit For iPhone & iPod Accessories – a plug-in board to Cypress's CY8CKIT-001 PSoC Development Kit. The kit streamlines design of innovative mobile accessories using the flexible PSoC programmable system-on-chip architecture. It leverages Apple's iOS operating system and its corresponding SDK (Software Development Kit) to provide a two-way communication interface between apps and connected accessories. Details on the new kit and a video demonstration are available at www.cypress.com/go/cy8ckit-023, and for more information on Apple's (MFi) Made for iPod touch, iPhone and iPad program, visit http://developer.apple.com/mfi.

"Our engineers selected the PSoC 3 platform because it delivers the perfect combination of low-power consumption, processing power, and flexible communications interfaces," said Bryan Lee, President of Oscium. "Our focus is on making test equipment more intuitive and easier to use. We call it innovation for inventors. PSoC 3 helps us deliver on that promise."

"We're very pleased to see PSoC 3 adding value to this innovative yet handy product, which taps into Apple's massive iOS installed base," said Leon Tan, marketing manager for Cypress's MFi and mobile accessories solutions. "Oscium is a great example of how Apple's iOS and MFi developer programs open up a whole new realm of opportunities for app developers and accessory manufacturers. This product also showcases the many advantages that make PSoC the perfect solution for designers of iOS-based 'app-cessory' products."