Microchip Brings Forth Single-chip maXTouch Touchscreen Controllers For 20-inch Automotive Touchscreens

The need for capacitive touch systems in automotives has forever been challenged by the tendency of interfering with car access systems and features. The innovative single-chip maXTouch touchscreen controllers family by Microchip Technologies addresses this challenge very well and will allow expansion of screen size up to 20-inches.

Fig. 1: Representational Image Showing Single-Chip maXTouch touchscreen Contollers by Microchip

The need for larger touchscreen in automotives is not a new one, however, unlike normal screens these need to cater stringent requirements like vibration tests, head impact, and very thick cover lenses that affect the touch capacity of touchscreens. The new MXT2912TD-A and MXT2113TD-A by Microchip comes with approx. 2000-3000 sensing nodes ensuring the user gets expected user experience in vehicles. All these new devices take root in Microchip’s maXTouch touchscreen technology that has already been appreciated by makers across the world.

All solutions offered by Microchip provide unmatched signal-to-noise capability for catering thick lenses requirements as well as multiple finger touches even through moisture and thick gloves. Since these screens are replacing buttons, it is crucial to take care of safety reliability. The new MXT2113TD and MXT2912TD devices have been embedded with several safety ensuring systems like self-diagnostic and sensor-diagnostic features that keep a constant check on touch system integrity. Such smart features can back ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) classification index defined by ISO 26262 Functional Safety Specifications for Passenger Vehicles.

Applications

These new devices come embedded with technology enabling adaptive touch with mutual-capacitance and self-capacitance measurements, this helps in recognition of all touches and keep any false touches at bat. These new devices will permit full scalability to their customers providing the most rapidly expanding portfolio of automotive-qualified touchscreen controllers for all screen sizes. Developers can now also develop multiple platforms from small to large displays in a even development environment with same hot software interface. It will bring down design time as well as overall development costs.