Product category:
Touchscreens and Touch Sensors
News Release from: Cypress Semiconductor | Subject: CapSense
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 02 June 2005
Touch sensor interface runs on
mixed-signal arrays
CapSense is a novel capacitive touch sensor interface based on the award-winning PSoC mixed-signal arrays from Cypress Semiconductor.
CapSense is a novel capacitive touch sensor interface based on the award-winning PSoC mixed-signal arrays from Cypress Semiconductor A single PSoC device can replace dozens of mechanical switches and controls with simple, touch-sensitive controls
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 24 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Notebook PCs aspire to touch sensing
Touch-sensitive buttons, sliders and shuffle controls provide Acer PC users with a stylish, convenient way to access and control a rich array of multimedia capabilities.
Touch sensors enable camcorder shrink
The slimline JVC Everio G Series of camcorders features a touch-sensitive user interface made using Cypress PScC CapSense technology.
CapSense-based "button" and slider controls are more reliable than their mechanical counterparts because they are not prone to the environmental wear and tear that affects exposed buttons and switches.
Cypress's CapSense solution offers system designers numerous advantages over capacitive touch sensor products built around modules and subassemblies, including increased flexibility, reduced board space and lower cost.
Because of the unique PSoC architecture, designers can easily integrate multiple functions (such as LED drivers and LCDs), in addition to touch sensing.
Further reading
Touch sensor replaces buttons and sliders
The CY8C201X0 and CY8C201X2 CapSense Express devices offer up to ten capacitive and/or general purpose I/Os (GPIOs).
Kit covers all touch technology applications
Cypress Semiconductor Corp has introduced a new kit designed for easy development and debugging of any CapSense design.
Pioneering use for touch sensors in home audio
Super Audio CD receiver and speaker systems uses a single PSoC CapSense device to implement six buttons, manage analogue output to the host and control LEDs.
The PSoC CapSense solution also delivers benefits such as easy serial communications using either I2C or SPI interfaces, the ability to implement both trackpad (x-y matrix) and linear slider applications with the same device, and the ability to make quick design changes using the Flash-based PSoC architecture.
Capacitive sensing is fast becoming the solution of choice for front-panel display and media control applications.
Increased durability, reduced bill of materials (BOM) and a clean, minimalist appearance make this elegant interface attractive to a wide range of designs.
With CapSense technology, a finger on the interface forms an electrical connection with embedded sensors, which work with the PSoC device to translate data about the finger's position into various system control functions.
Cellphone users can slide a finger along their screen to change the volume of a call, the brightness of the screen or the loudness of a ring tone without having to end the call and click through complicated menu structures.
In notebook computers, "touchpad" sensors have already replaced external mice for cursor movement.
Applications abound in consumer, industrial, white goods, automotive and medical devices - in short, any area where durability, ease of use and price are major considerations.
"CapSense is a smaller, cleaner, more flexible solution to implement control functions in any sort of electronic device", said Rich Kapusta, PSoC Marketing Director for Cypress.
"In portable consumer devices - particularly cellphones, PDAs, and notebook computers - CapSense provides an attractive interface and product differentiation that adds real value to the system".
"At the same time, CapSense designs are cheaper and easier to manufacture than ones using thumb switches and potentiometers".
"Both the manufacturer and consumer come out ahead".
CapSense is built around Cypress's CY8C21x34 family of PSoC devices.
Cypress's PSoC mixed-signal arrays are programmable SoCs that integrate a microcontroller and the analogue and digital components that typically surround it in an embedded system.
A single PSoC device can integrate as many as 100 peripheral functions and a microcontroller, saving customers design time, board space, power consumption, and system costs.
Future PSoC offerings will also support CapSense.
In addition to PSoC, Cypress provides designers with CapSense application notes (AN2233a and AN2277); source code; example designs; a front-panel display demonstration kit (CY3220-FPD); a slider demonstration kit (CY3220-Slider); design software and support.
The CY8C21x34 comes with 8Kbit of Flash for program storage; 512byte of SRAM for data storage; a maximum speed of 24MHz; and is available in 16-pin SOIC, 32-pin MLF and 20- and 28-pin SSOP packages.
The product is available now for $0.99 in production quantities.
The front panel display demonstration kit (CY3220-FPD) is available for $75 through the Cypress online store.
The CapSense application notes can be downloaded free of charge from the Cypress website.
• Cypress Semiconductor: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
