Product category:
Analogue and Mixed Signal ICs
News Release from: Quantum Research Group | Subject: QT401 QSlide
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 22 March 2005
Touch slider chip is electronic pot
replacement
Quantum Research Group describes its QT401 QSlide chip as the world's first capacitive touch slider integrated circuit.
Quantum Research Group describes its QT401 QSlide chip as the world's first capacitive touch slider integrated circuit The device replaces electromechanical controls by mimicking a potentiometer
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 13 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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A touch control based on QSlide offers cost savings and greater reliability over electromechanical alternatives as there are no moving parts to wear out, and the control can be fully sealed to make it environmentally impervious.
QSlide also creates design flexibility and enables a wider choice of materials to be used for system packaging because the slider sensing is highly reliable, even to the point of detecting a gloved hand through solid glass or plastic panels.
Furthermore, the slider strip does not need to be a straight line; it can be formed into an arc or other shape to suit the application.
Further reading
Touch sensor creates frugal keypad for handhelds
Quantum Research Group has developed a novel eight-key touch sensor IC that consumes just 40uA at 3V in low power mode.
Touch sensors are on the button for HMIs
Novel charge-transfer digital sensor chips facilitate the manufacture of man-machine interfaces at a cost comparable to using electromechanical switches.
System aesthetics can therefore be tailored to the end product.
QSlide offers 7bit resolution, with position data sent via a standard serial SPI interface to a host controller.
QSlide is aimed at high-volume consumer applications but is equally suitable for use in medical, industrial, automotive and computer peripheral devices.
Specific uses range from speed, temperature and volume controls to lighting, display brightness and mechanical position sensing.
The use of Quantum's spread-spectrum modulation minimises emissions and enhances noise immunity.
QSlide uses two patented charge-transfer sensing channels working across a simple linear resistive element.
A mathematical technique is used to determine the touch position independent of signal strength, making detection both accurate and reliable.
The resistive element can consist of discrete resistors connected in series, a resistive thick-film layer, or an optically clear indium tin oxide (ITO) film for use over liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
LCDs can gain touch screen capabilities by mounting ITO slider strips behind the cover lens - a technique that is less expensive than using a resistive touch screen with the added reliability benefit that the sensor strip is protected by the cover lens.
The QT401 QSlide chip can be assessed using Quantum's E401 evaluation board.
The E401 includes an interface convertor to connect it to a PC, plus display software.
The E401 PCB comes fully assembled and tested ready for adhering to the supplied plastic demo panel or to the inside of the user's end product, and costs US $95.00 via distribution.
The QT401 QSlide chip is available now priced at US $1.97 each in 100,000-unit quantities.
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