Quantum Research Group, the charge-transfer (QT) capacitive touch company, has developed a 10-key touch sensor chip that it claims will enable reliable and rugged touch control panels to be produced at lower cost than using mechanical switches.
The QT1100A-ISG is the latest in the QTouch series of charge-transfer sensing devices comprising digital controllers capable of detecting near proximity or touch. Each key is operated through a channel that projects an independent sense field through over 10 mm thickness of glass or plastic. The channels can be individually tuned for sensitivity via its serial interface. They can also be user-configured to suit the application. Cost is minimised because only a few low-cost passive components are needed for each channel. A control panel using the technology can be easily sealed, making it very rugged. The company says it is more reliable in operation than those using traditional capacitive sensors due to a number of patented features within the integrated circuit design. Reliable operation is ensured through automatic calibration for life, adjacent key suppression (AKS) and burst-mode spread-spectrum modulation.
The QT1100A-ISG recalibrates each channel automatically every time it is powered up, compensating for gradual environmental changes and product ageing. AKS compares the signal received from each channel to ensure that only the dominant touch registers as a key touch, thereby eliminating false multiple key presses, especially on tightly-packed key panels such as those found on small mobile devices. Spread-spectrum modulation provides effective noise rejection to eliminate false triggering while also reducing RF emissions. An external synchronisation pin can be used to suppress mains-frequency noise.
The device has SPI and UART serial interfaces along with a scanport output that simulates a membrane keyboard. It self-detects faults for FMEA compliance, making it suited to applications in domestic appliances, television controls, instrument panels, pointing devices and gaming machines.
The QT1100A-ISG operates from a single 3,3 V to 5,0 V supply and is housed in a 48-pin SSOP, lead-free package. An evaluation board is also available.
Microchip enhances TrustMANAGER platform Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
Firmware over-the-air updates and remote cryptographic key management provide scalable solutions for addressing IoT security challenges.
Read more...MCU for low-power, IoT applications NuVision Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
Silicon Labs recently announced the PG26, a general-purpose microcontroller with a dedicated matrix vector processor to enhance AI/ML hardware accelerator speeds.
Read more...EEPROMs for industrial and military markets Vepac Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
Designed to ensure the data retention and the secure and safe boot of digital systems, the memory product line includes small and medium density EEPROMs from 16 kb to 1 Mb.
Read more...PLCnext – Open, IIoT-ready industrial platform IOT Electronics
DSP, Micros & Memory
PLCnext can be used alongside an existing PLC system, collecting control system data via EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, or MODBUS, and can push this information to a cloud instance.
Read more...ICs vs modules: Understanding the technical trade-offs for IoT applications NuVision Electronics
Editor's Choice DSP, Micros & Memory
As the IoT continues to transform industries, design decisions around wireless connectivity components become increasingly complex with engineers often facing the dilemma of choosing between ICs and wireless modules for their IoT applications.
Read more...Hardware quantum resistance to embedded controllers Avnet Silica
DSP, Micros & Memory
To help system architects meet evolving security demands, Microchip Technology has developed its MEC175xB embedded controllers with embedded immutable post-quantum cryptography support.
Read more...High-performance processor for edge-AI Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
The STM32MP23 microprocessor from STMicroelectronics is the latest addition to the STM32MP2 series, designed to meet the demands of industrial, IoT, and edge AI applications.
Read more...Integrated STM32WBA6 wireless microcontrollers Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
Cost-efficient and highly integrated embedded controllers for emerging 2,4 GHz wireless applications in smart home, health, factory, and agriculture.
Read more...Ultra-low-power MCU with FPU Arm Cortex-M33 Altron Arrow
DSP, Micros & Memory
STMicroelectronics has expanded its STM32 ultra-low-power family with the launch of the STM32U3 for cost-sensitive applications in industrial, medical, and consumer electronics devices.
printer friendly version