Microchip announces a new family of maXTouch® single-chip touchscreen controllers designed to address the design challenges of modern in-car capacitive touch systems with displays up to 20 inches.The MXT2912TD-A, incorporating approximately 3,000 touch-sensing nodes, and the MXT2113TD-A, with over 2,000 nodes, offer consumers the touchscreen convenience they expect from vehicles. These new devices are based on Microchip's existing maXTouch touchscreen technology, which is widely adopted by manufacturers worldwide. Microchip's latest solutions offer a higher signal-to-noise ratio to meet the requirements of thick glass and are compatible even with multiple fingers through thick gloves and in the presence of moisture.
Automakers are replacing mechanical switches with dashboard displays to create a more stylish interior, making their safe and reliable operation even more critical. The MXT2912TD-A and MXT2113TD-A devices incorporate self-diagnostic functions and sensors that continuously monitor the integrity of the touchscreen system.
These intelligent diagnostic functions are compatible with the ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) classification system as defined by ISO 26262 for functional safety systems in vehicles.
The new devices incorporate a technology that allows adaptive touch detection using self-capacity and mutual-capacity measurements, so all touches are recognized and false touch detections are avoided.
They also incorporate Microchip's new proprietary signal shaping technology, which significantly reduces emissions, enabling large touchscreens to use maXTouch controllers that meet CISPR-25 Level 5 requirements for electromagnetic interference in automobiles. The new touch controllers also cover automotive operating temperature ranges of Grade 3 (-40 to +85°C) and Grade 2 (-40 to +105°C) and are AEC-Q100 approved.
The addition of the new maXTouch touchscreen controllers allows Microchip to offer customers complete scalability, providing the only comprehensive and growing portfolio of automotive-approved touchscreen controllers suitable for various screen sizes. Developers can design diverse platforms, from small touchpads to large displays, within the same development environment, using the same software interface and delivering a high-quality user experience. Ultimately, this shortens design time and reduces system and development costs.
Eight design centers specializing in application and sensor design around the world help Microchip customers and partners accelerate the process of bringing designs based on maXTouch technology to market, with experts working with the largest manufacturers of sensors, displays, and touch modules.
An evaluation kit is available for each maXTouch touchscreen controller. The kit includes a printed circuit board with the maXTouch touchscreen controller, a touch sensor on a transparent glass surface, a flat printed circuit board for connecting the sensor to the display, a card for connecting the kit to the host 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.
The MXT2912TD-A and MXT2113TD-A devices are now available for sampling and volume production in LQFP176 and LQFP144 packages, respectively.
