Microchip Technology has introduced the MXT2952TD 2.0 family of secure touchscreen controllers to help EV charger designers protect their payment architectures.
Conventional touchscreen payment systems, which rely on a combination of a human-machine interface (HMI) and RFID (radio frequency identification), are vulnerable to cyberattacks via malicious software updates or man-in-the-middle attacks when a user enters their PIN on the touchscreen. Physical mesh barriers and sensors are often used around these integrated circuits to protect against such attacks. Constant software reprogramming and device reboots are also employed to help safeguard software security. The MXT2952TD 2.0 family is designed to encrypt touch data and cryptographically authenticate software updates to minimize risk and meet PCI certification standards. When the RFID reader and touchscreen controller are located on separate printed circuit boards, constructing physical barriers to protect against attacks becomes particularly difficult and expensive. The MXT2952TD 2.0 embedded firmware provides a simpler implementation solution for EV charger manufacturers to remain compliant with safety standards and avoid the cost of adding a second, expensive payment module to the touchscreen.
The outdoor installation of HMIs for EV chargers requires them to withstand very adverse weather conditions, function accurately in the presence of humidity, and resist vandalism.
Touchscreens based on the MXT2952TD 2.0 touchscreen controller remain effective when designed with 6 mm thick IK10-rated glass, anti-reflective, anti-glare, and anti-fingerprint coatings, and IR/UV filter layers. Microchip's differential touch detection offers exceptional noise immunity for superior touch performance, even when used with thick gloves.
“The maXTouch 2952TD 2.0 family provides EV charger designers with a cost-effective and secure design architecture for implementing credit card payments by entering a PIN on their touchscreens,” said Patrick Johnson, corporate vice president overseeing Microchip’s HMI division. “Together with the rugged outdoor HMI touchscreen technology that characterizes Microchip’s maXTouch portfolio, this new addition to the 2952TD touchscreen controller family offers our customers secure designs and the exceptional touch performance required for outdoor applications.”.
In addition to EV chargers, the MXT2952TD 2.0 family is well-suited for outdoor automated payment terminals, such as parking meters, bus ticket machines, and other point-of-sale systems. The 2952TD 2.0 is specifically optimized for 20” displays, and its sibling, the MXT1664TD, is available for 15.6” displays.
Development tools
Standard development tools for the maXTouch family can be used, such as the maXTouch Studio IDE (Integrated Development Environment) and maXTouch Analyzer, a testing/inspection tool for the end of the production line.
Microchip also has collaborators specializing in touch sensor modules who offer support for custom touch sensor and/or touch screen designs.
