Connectivity solution enables a multiplayer user experience

13th March 2017

Alice Matthews

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A dual-band 802.11ac combo solution is now in production by Cypress Semiconductor which delivers high-speed WiFi and Bluetooth connections using advanced Bluetooth and WiFi coexistence algorithms. The solution is used in the new Nintendo Switch gaming system to support online gaming and communication to the Joy-Con controllers. The Nintendo Switch system, with its multiple configurations and portable controllers, needed a careful and innovative design to deliver the smooth user experience gamers expect.

Cypress’ 802.11ac solution delivered the robust speed and multi-radio coexistence portion of that design.

Leveraging the power of the IEEE 802.11ac WLAN standard, Cypress' CY4356EC WiFi and Bluetooth combo solution provides up to 837Mbps data rates and up to 2x2 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) support. The high-speed solution enables fast downloads and interactive online multiplayer gaming with low latency, along with enhanced coexistence for play with multiple systems and controller units. The CY4356EC is a low-power system-on-chip, helping to prolong the battery life of the portable system.

“Nintendo Switch is a perfect example of the increasing number of emerging applications that can benefit from the high performance and advanced coexistence our dual-band 802.11ac solutions offer,” said Michael Hogan, Vice President of the IoT Business Unit at Cypress. “High-speed WiFi helps provide low-latency for gaming online, and our enhanced Bluetooth coexistence allows uninterrupted play with up to four pairs of the system’s unique Joy-Con controllers. At the same time, you need low power consumption to add to the system’s portability. Bringing this all together is no small feat, so we’re very pleased that our 802.11ac solution helped Nintendo Switch meet the challenge.”

Cypress is demonstrating its full portfolio of IoT solutions for connected cars, the industrial IoT, smart home appliances, wearables and a wide range of applications, along with its supporting Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) Studio 4 Software Development Kit (SDK), at the embedded world trade show in Nuremberg, Germany in hall 4A, stand 148 of the Nuremberg Exhibition Center from 14^th-16^th March. The portfolio enables developers to combine Cypress’ WiFi and Bluetooth IoT connectivity solutions with its PSoC and general purpose MCUs and CapSense capacitive-sensing solutions, analogue Power Management ICs (PMICs), USB-based connectivity solutions and high-performance memories to get products to market quickly.