The TSS suite works with Freescale’s portfolio of S08 MCUs and allows for hassle-free customer design environments. The software package includes an evaluation and demo board, demonstration and implementation examples, technical documentation, hardware design guidelines and online training and support.

New flexible capacitive sensor and complimentary touch-sensing software enable intuitive, easy-to-use touch panel interfaces

Austin, TX\– Freescale Semiconductor is expanding its broad portfolio of touch sensing solutions with the addition of the MPR121 ultra-low-power capacitive sensor and a touch sensing software (TSS) suite compatible with more than 300 of its 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs).

With these new offerings, Freescale enables customers to choose the best fit for their interface designs across a broad spectrum of consumer and industrial applications.

Manufacturers are rapidly migrating from resistive to capacitive touch technology to answer the demand for intuitive user interfaces that enhance interactivity and improve end-product functionality.

Touch sensing technology boosts reliability by eliminating mechanical wear and tear. In addition, user interface controllers can manage multiple configurations and provide greater flexibility, helping reduce overall system cost.

Freescale’s second-generation MPR121 capacitive touch sensor provides reliable touch detection through increased electrode count. The 12-pad touch sensor is available in a small package and helps OEMs meet aggressive power targets by offering a low power consumption at 29 μA average supply current.

In addition, the MPR121 provides advanced intelligence with a flexible independent calibration feature that simplifies design. These attributes make the MPR121 ideal for touch panels in portable, low-power consumer electronics.

For customers who already use Freescale 8-bit MCUs, the TSS suite provides an alternate solution by allowing them to use the software to manipulate the MCU to act as a touch sensor. The complimentary software package gives designers flexibility by enhancing compatibility and simplifying touch key configuration, providing cost-effective and flexible solutions for many human-machine interface (HMI) applications.

“Freescale’s portfolio of touch sensing solutions allows customers to choose the best option for their designs,” says Glen Burchers, director of consumer segment marketing for Freescale.

“For specialized, low-power designs, the MPR121 provides a simple drop-in module; or by just adding software, customers can transition the MCU in their system into a touch sensing interface.”

Freescale’s touch sensing solutions enable sleek interface designs for a variety of consumer and industrial applications. Freescale’s broad portfolio of touch sensing solutions allows customers to select the option that meets their specific system requirements for power, software integration and quantity of touch points. Customers can choose from a 2-, 3- or 12-pad sensor or the touch-sensing software solution for a variety of applications including: 

• Remote and lighting controls.
• Low-resolution touch screens for photo frames and GPS systems.
• Large and small appliance touch panel interfaces.
• Mobile phones and Multimedia Internet Device touch panels.
• General use button replacements for netbooks.
• Home appliances: cooktops, ovens, refrigerators, washing machines.
• Consumer electronics: media players, audio/video systems, TV sets, PCs, monitors, notebooks, MP3 players, cameras.
• Medical and industrial equipment: control panels, portable medical devices.

Touch Sensing Software Suite

The TSS suite works with Freescale’s portfolio of S08 MCUs and allows for hassle-free customer design environments. The software package includes an evaluation and demo board, demonstration and implementation examples, technical documentation, hardware design guidelines and online training and support. Features include: 

• Up to 64 electrodes.
• Possibility to have different electrode arrays at the same time: keypad, slider, rotary, matrix, touchpad or any combination of them.
• Supports multiple communication protocols: I2C, LIN, CAN , SPI and USB.
• Eliminates the need for an extra IC to provide touch sensing capability.
• Possibility to have other peripherals working at the same time: LCD, LEDs, buzzers, ADC and other sensors.
• 1.8 to 5.5 V operational voltage.
• Fully compatible with more than 300 Freescale S08 MCU devices and CodeWarrior.
• Supports a broad range of packages from QFN8 (4x4x1) up to LQFP100 (14X14X1.4).

For more information visit www.freescale.com