The TD family of touch controllers employs a novel differential mutual signal acquisition method that significantly increases the signal-to-noise ratio. This allows the use of thick glass or protective plastic materials and thick gloves, enabling multi-finger operation with the equivalent of 4.5 mm of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
The MXT1067TD, MXT1189TD, and MXT1665TD devices add several cost-optimized versions for 9- to 13-inch automotive touchscreens to Microchip's portfolio and complement the recently introduced MXT449TD, MXT641TD, MXT2113TD, and MXT2912TD devices, which are compatible with 20-inch touchscreens. Each device addresses the growing demand for functional safety and is designed in accordance with the requirements of SPICE Level 3 for automotive and ISO 26262 ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level).
All devices in the TD family utilize a unique waveform profiling capability to optimize the performance of the touch controller's radiated emissions using an EMI optimization tool. Working with product experts at Microchip's application design centers around the world, this tool allows developers to input user-defined RF limits and fine-tune the waveform of the transmitted burst used for touch sensing acquisition.
Waveform profiling is performed using firmware parameters obtained from the tool and helps designers set the fundamental burst frequency to work with other in-vehicle applications, such as the keyless entry system. The resulting parameters are then simply added to the maXTouch configuration file, which customizes the touch controller's performance according to each customer's design.
This process can save the designer many hours, even weeks, of costly EMC test chamber time by eliminating experiments with different configuration settings to achieve the desired EMI/EMC performance.
Microchip supplies the broadest catalog of automotive touchscreen controllers. These are primarily used in central displays and navigation systems, but are also suitable for industrial applications such as automation and manufacturing.
An evaluation kit is available for each new model in the maXTouch touchscreen controller family. The part numbers are ATEVK-MXT1067TDAT-A (I2C), ATEVK-MXT1189TDAT-A (I2C), ATEVK-MXT1189TDAT-C (SPI), ATEVK-MXT1665TDAT-A (I2C), and ATEVK-MXT1665TDAT-C (SPI). Each kit includes a printed circuit board with the maXTouch touchscreen controller, a touch sensor mounted on a transparent glass surface, a flat PCB for connecting the sensor, and a PCB that connects the kit to the computer via USB, as well as cables, software, and documentation. All devices are compatible with maXTouch Studio, a comprehensive software development environment for evaluating maXTouch touchscreen controllers.
maXTouch's EMI optimization service will be part of the support offered by one of Microchip's application design centers located around the world.
The MXT1067TD, MXT1189TD, and MXT1665TD devices are now available in sample and volume quantities in TQFP128 (MXT1067TD only) and LQFP144 packages.
