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Microchip Introduces High-Voltage Capacitive Touchscreen Line Driver for Advanced Touch Performance
[October 08, 2014]

Microchip Introduces High-Voltage Capacitive Touchscreen Line Driver for Advanced Touch Performance


CHANDLER, Ariz. --(Business Wire)--

Microchip Technology (News - Alert) Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced a new addition to its Human Interface Input Sensing Solutions portfolio with a standalone integrated high-voltage line driver to increase Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for advanced projected-capacitive touch performance-the MTCH65X.

The MTCH652 features an integrated boost converter and can interface to any touch controller via SPI to drive up to 19 Transmit (Tx) channels at selectable voltages up to 18V to increase the SNR in projected capacitive touch systems. The improved SNR increases the robustness of the system in noisy environments, allows thicker cover lenses, and reduces the number of samples and time required by the touch controller to scan large displays. These capabilities are especially important in demanding environments such as white goods (e.g., washing machines, refrigerators and security panels), automotive (e.g., dashboard infotainment and navigation controls), PC Peripherals (e.g. touch pads, displays) and industrial controls (e.g., machine interface) markets, among others.

Also announced today, Microchip's new 3DTouchPad DM160225 incorporates the new MTCH652 and demonstrates its advantages including advanced touch performance in a noise robust design. The MTCH652's higher SNR enables Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC (News - Alert)) resistance and is a versatile companion chip to advance multi-touch performance.

"Microchip's new high-voltage driver MTCH652 provides the industry with a simple high-voltage boost solution that can improve robustness and increase the sensor sizes for today's touch controllers," said Fanie Duvenhage, director of Microchip's Human-Machine Interface Division. "The wide range of input and output voltages supported combined with the ability to daisy chain the MTCH65X devices give our customers more flexibility in their designs."

"The addition of Microchip's MTCH652 to our projected-capacitive electronics solution resulted in a more robust design that supports larger size displays up to 24" and facilitated passing 10V/m for Radiated Susceptibility (RS) testing and 10Vrms for Conducted Susceptibility (CS) testing (per IEC61000-4-3 Level 3 and IEC61000-4-6 Level 3)," said Lillian Chao, president of Apex Material Technology Corp. (AMT). "In addition, using the MTCH652 helped AMT achieve advanced features such as water immunity and gloved input. Also, AMT was able to easily integrate multiple MTCH652 chips to support larger designs."

Development Support

The MTCH652 is supported by Microchip's new 3DTouchPad (part # DM160225, $99.00), which is available to order today with free downloadable software under the Documentation & Software section at http://www.microchip.com/get/G1WH. The 3DTouchPad incorporates the MTCH652 high-voltage driver.

Pricing & Availability

The MTCH652 is available today in 28-pin QFN, SOIC and SSOP packages. Pricing starts at $1.04 each, in 10,000-unit quantities and is available for production orders today.

The MTCH650 is also available as a variant that uses an external voltage boost for design flexibility and allows for up to 21 high-voltage drivers. The MTCH650 is available today in 28-pin QFN, SOIC and SSOP packages. Pricing starts at $0.9 each in 10,000-unit quantities and is available for production orders today.



For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/T1U7. To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip's authorized distribution partners.

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About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com/get/UJ0B.

About Apex Material Technologies

Apex Material Technology Corp. (AMT) is a premier designer and manufacturer of high-performance, high-durability touch products. AMT was established in 1998 and is headquartered in Keelung, Taiwan, with a subsidiary in North America and a worldwide distribution network. AMT has extensive experience in the design, development, and production of quality touch products for complete projected capacitive touch solutions that integrate the touch panel, controller, and firmware with full support of various operating systems. AMT works with Microchip's touch electronics to provide advanced projected capacitive touch solutions for the industrial, medical, commercial, and other challenging markets. For more information, visit AMT's website at http://www.microchip.com/get/E289

Note: The Microchip name and logo is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A., and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

Tags / Keywords: Touchpads, Touchscreens, Projected Capacitive, PCap, XY Touch, Low Power, Human Interface, Boost, High Voltage, Line Driver


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