The leading analog, Flash-IP solutions and microcontroller vendor Microchip Technology has recently announced its mTouch brand of projected capacitive touch-screen sensing technology at the SID Display Week show at Seattle. The company also unveiled mTouch Projected Capacitive Development Kit and the low power PIC16F707 8-bit microcontroller (MCU). This technology is the first of its range of patent pending releases that support projective capacitive touch screen systems across Microchip’s 32-,16- and 32-bit PIC MCUs portfolio.
Microchip 32 bit controllers
The PIC16F707 incorporates two sixteen channel type of capacitive sensing modules (CSMs). These CSMs can be operated in parallel to increase the speed of sampling. The MCU, in conjunction with the development kit and mTouch projected-capacitive technology, empowers designers to integrate projected capacitive sensing features easily into their applications using a single MCU that increases flexibility of design and reduces overall system expenses.
Touch sensing continues to attract usage as an option for conventional push-button user interfaces since it facilitates a more intuitive, flexible interface that has a modern looking design. The projected capacitive technology empowers customers to create and implement sturdy glass-front user interfaces quickly for simplifying user interaction through features like gestures. Typical applications include mobile handheld units, global positioning systems, thermostats, and other gadgets which utilize smaller displays that have finger input.
The development kit incorporates a 3.5” sensor that is installed on a sensor board, fully functional firmware, and projected-capacitive board with the PIC16F707 MCU. The kit helps users to connect sensors to a maximum of twenty four channels without having to modify the firmware. The open source code can support sensors up to a maximum of 32 channels. The kit also incorporates a Graphical User Interface (GUI) tool for empowering customers to adjust key design parameters easily.
The PIC16F707 8-bit MCU has a broad operating 1.8 – 5.5V voltage range, with about 1.5 mA at 5V projective capacitive sensor application’s operating current, besides two CSMs.
Steve Drehobl, vice president of Security, Microcontroller and Technology Development Division at Microchip, informed that Microchip continues to focus on helping designers to easily integrate touch-sensing interfaces using no-hassle, inexpensive solutions.
He explained that Microchip’s projected capacitive offering provides access to the technology to customers with minimum learning curve. He added that the user friendly development kit and technology are flexible and easily accessible for enabling fast and low cost projective capacitive touch implementation.