Date: 17/09/2008

Atmel's 6-channel touch controller with integral LED driver

Atmel Corporation introduced the AT42QT1060, new capacitive touch control chip based on quantum research group's charge-transfer technology, which integrates 6 channels of touch sensing. It can drive up to 7 low current LEDs directly through a pulse width modulated (PWM) output function. The low power consumption and tiny packaging makes it ideally suited for use in mobile phones and other handheld devices.

Some of the features are:

1. Operates from 5.5VDC down to 1.8VDC.
2. Consumes less than 1uA in standby mode.
3. A wake up function is provided.
4. Additional GPIO expansion is possible by the use of spare IC pins.
5. Electrodes can be made from copper, silver, carbon, indium tin oxide (ITO) or Orgacon conductive ink and must be 6 x 6mm or larger.
6. The insulating panel can be glass or plastic up to 3mm thick.
7. The charge-transfer sensing method uses spread-spectrum modulation to achieve high immunity to electrical noise.
8. The Adjacent Key Suppression technique ensures that only the intended key is activated by the touch of a finger.
9. The device automatically re-calibrates on power-up, compensating for build-up of moisture or other contaminants on the touch surface.
10. An inbuilt capacitive guard channel feature helps prevent false triggering, for example, where moisture is an issue.
11. It also prevents against incorrect commands that can occur when devices such as MP3 players are carried in a pocket, or in the case of a cellular phone, when it is held against the ear.
12. Individual key sensitivity is host-selectable.

Packaging: MLF28 package

Size: 4mm x 4mm

Price: $0.89 in quantities of 100 K units

For further details visit: www.atmel.com