Projected capacitive touch sensing extends resistive and existing capacitive touch sensing technology to include multi-touch and gesture sensing, enabling users to implement robust glass-front user interfaces that simplify user interaction. Typical applications include global positioning systems, thermostats, mobile handheld units and other devices that use smaller displays with a finger input. The technology is available via a royalty free source code license from Microchip’s online Touch Sensing Design Center (http://www.microchip.com/get/AX10).
The mTouch Projected Capacitive Development Kit (part No DM160211, $119.99) includes a 3.5” sensor mounted on a sensor board, a projected capacitive board with the PIC16F707 MCU and fully functional firmware. The open source code supports sensors with up to 32 channels and the kit includes a Graphical User Interface tool that enables easy parameter adjustment.
The PIC16F707 features two 16-channel Capacitive Sensing Modules (CSMs) that can run in parallel for increased sampling speed, and operates from a wide input voltage range of 1.8 – 5.5V, with a typical projected capacitive sensor application operating current of 1.5mA at 5V. The PIC16F707 is available in volume today.