Atmel has announced the AT42QT1060, a touch control chip that integrates six channels of touch sensing with the ability to drive up to seven low-current LEDs directly through a pulse width modulated (PWM) output function. The device operates from 5,5 V down to 1,8 V d.c. and consumes less than 1 μA in standby mode to ensure long battery life.
The chip is designed for use in portable electronics products. An inbuilt capacitive guard channel feature helps prevent false triggering, for example where moisture is an issue. This feature also prevents against erroneous commands that can occur when devices are carried in a pocket, or in the case of a cellular phone, when it is held against the ear.
The sensor chip is based on Quantum’s patented QTouch charge-transfer sensing method. This robust technology uses spread-spectrum modulation to achieve high immunity to electrical noise and a patented technique – adjacent key suppression (AKS) – ensures that only the intended key is activated by the touch of a finger. The guard channel feature uses AKS to eliminate false triggering of nearby keys. Long-term reliability is ensured because the device automatically re-calibrates on power-up, compensating for build-up of moisture or other contaminants on the touch surface. Individual key sensitivity is host-selectable.
A host wake-up function allows the host to sleep and be woken up when a user triggers the corresponding input, providing another power-saving feature. Additional GPIO expansion can be achieved through the use of spare IC pins.
The AT42QT1060 functions through any insulating panel including glass or plastic up to 3 mm thick. Electrodes can be made from copper, silver, carbon, indium tin oxide (ITO) or Orgacon conductive ink and must be 6 x 6 mm or larger. Widely different electrode sizes and shapes are possible, giving product designers great flexibility in tailoring the user interface.
For more information contact Arrow Altech Distribution, +27 (0)11 923 9600, [email protected], www.arrow.altech.co.za, EBV Electrolink, +27 (0)21 402 1940, [email protected], www.ebv.com
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