Toshiba Electronics Europe announces the TC35893XBG and TC35894XBG flexible I/O expander devices. They allow the addition of I/O peripheral ports so keypads, LEDs, and switches can interface seamlessly within a mobile handset or other portable consumer electronics device. Additionally, they providing full flexibility to accommodate various keypad layouts from 2x2 to 8x12 with up to 96 keys. Safe detection of single keys (20 in TC35893XBG, 26 in TC35894XBG) is available in both devices. All I/O can act as interrupt inputs.

The TC35893XBG provides up to 20 configurable general purpose I/O ports at needed locations. It has built-in functionality for managing a keypad and PWM signal generation for LED and vibrator control. The TC35893XBG also has a 3mm x 3mm footprint that is well suited for space-constrained handhelds. Low-power features include operation from a low frequency 32 kHz clock source and the ability for peripherals connected to the TC35893XBG to operate independently of the application processor for increased battery life. It comes in a 25-ball plastic BGA package.

Other features include

• 1.6V to 2.7V power supply range
• Two operating modes for power saving. Auto-sleep feature detects activity at the IO and switches dynamically between the power modes.
• Three cascadable 32-bit timers
• Watchdog functionality
• Failsafe operation for I2C, interrupt, reset and clock
• Timer architecture that allows 32 pattern generations per timer, programmable into one register .

The TC35894XBG provides up to 24 configurable general purpose I/O ports at needed locations. Like the TC35893XBG, the device offers built-in functionality for managing a keypad and PWM signal generation for LED and vibrator control. Additionally, the TC35894XBG features support for up to 26 direct keys. The TC35894XBG also has a 3.5mm x 3.5mm footprint and uses an internal clock generator to deliver a small form factor. The TC35894XBG includes the same low power features as the TC35893XBG and comes in a 36-ball plastic BGA package.