Atmel and NVIDIA Collaborate to Enable Large Format Touchscreens for Tablet PCs

Available now, the joint reference design includes Tegra 2, Atmel's maXTouch solution and runs on the Android operating system. With Tegra 2, NVIDIA is unleashing the next wave of super phones and tablets that deliver unprecedented multimedia experiences. Tegra 2 brings extreme multi-tasking with the first mobile dual-core CPU, the best web experience with up to two times faster browsing, hardware accelerated Flash, and console-quality gaming with a GeForce(TM) GPU. The Atmel maXTouch touchscreen chipset enables an industry-best touch user experience by enabling up to 16-simultaneous touches, industry's fastest response times, better power consumption and rejection of unintended touches. These features offer a consumer the ability to have a more intuitive touchscreen experience for applications ranging from gaming to making calls, drawing, gesturing and more.

With device entrants from across the PC, mobile, and entertainment space, 2011 is shaping up as the year of the tablet, said Rhoda Alexander, analyst at IHS iSuppli. Processing speed and touch performance are key elements of successful design in this highly competitive market. Joint reference designs, such as that provided by the collaboration between Atmel and NVIDIA, can provide a significant design benefit to vendors as they strive to provide faster tablets with improved touch performance and longer battery life.

Glenn Schuster, director of partner programs at NVIDIA said, We're excited that Atmel has recognized the power of Tegra and the new wave of mobile devices it's unleashing. Atmel provides leading touchscreen technology, and teaming their maXTouch solution with Tegra 2 helps our partners create tablets with a great touch experience.

Atmel and NVIDIA have made many performance and accuracy improvements to make this solution ideal for tablet PC applications, said Jon Kiachian, sr. director of touch marketing, Atmel Corporation. The Atmel maXTouch solution offers improved resolution, better linearity, faster response, and complete software and design support that will enable users of this reference design to bring their products faster-to-market.