Multi-finger touch and thick cover lens support
Controllers that meet automotive functional safety requirements
Supports ISO 26262 ASIL classification index

Drivers expect the touch sensitivity of in-car touchscreen displays to be identical to that of smartphones. However, in-car touchscreens require thick cover lenses to pass rigorous head impact and vibration tests, which has a potential impact on touch interface performance.

Furthermore, as screen size increases, the likelihood of interfering with other frequencies, such as AM radio and vehicle approach systems, increases, and all these factors pose major challenges to the design of modern automotive capacitive touch systems.

Accordingly, Microchip Technology has launched a new single-chip maXTouch touchscreen controller family that supports touchscreens up to 20 inches.
The MXT2912TD-A, supporting approximately 3,000 touch sensing nodes, and the MXT2113TD-A, supporting over 2,000 nodes, can deliver the touchscreen experience customers expect. The new products are based on Microchip's existing maXTouch touchscreen technology. Microchip's latest solutions have a high signal-to-noise ratio to meet the requirements of thick lenses and support multi-finger touch even when wearing thick gloves or in humid conditions.

As automotive manufacturers replace mechanical switches on dashboards with screens for sophisticated and sleek interior designs, the importance of safe and reliable operation is growing. The two new products incorporate self-sensor diagnostic capabilities that continuously monitor the integrity of the touch system. These smart diagnostic functions support the Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) classification index defined in the ISO 26262 passenger car functional safety standard.

The new products are equipped with Adaptive Touch implementation technology that utilizes self-capacitance and mutual capacitance measurements to recognize all touches and prevent false touch detection.

In addition, large touchscreens using the maXTouch controller are equipped with Microchip’s proprietary new signal conversion technology that significantly reduces electromagnetic emissions so that they can meet CISPR-25 level 5 requirements for in-vehicle electromagnetic interference.

These new touch controllers meet automotive temperature class 3 (-40 to 85°C) and class 2 (-40 to 105°C) operating ranges and have obtained AEC-Q100 certification.

With the launch of the new maXTouch touchscreen controller, Microchip provides customers with the best scalability based on an automotive-certified touchscreen controller portfolio that continues to expand to support various screen sizes. Developers can design for various platforms, ranging from small touchpads to large displays, within the same development environment that provides the same host software interface and excellent user touch sensitivity. This ultimately reduces system and development costs while shortening development time.

Microchip supports its customers and partners in rapidly bringing maXTouch technology designs to market through eight dedicated applications and sensor design centers worldwide. Microchip's maXTouch technology experts collaborate with all major sensor, display, and touch module manufacturers.

The evaluation kit is available for each component of the new maXTouch touchscreen controller family. The kit includes a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) with an embedded maXTouch touchscreen controller, a touch sensor with a clear glass lens, a Flat Printed Circuit (FPC) for connecting to a sensor display, a converter PCB for connecting the kit to a host computer via USB, cables, software, and documentation. All components are also compatible with maXTouch Studio, a complete software development environment that supports the evaluation of maXTouch touchscreen controllers.

The MXT2912TD-A and MXT2113TD-A devices are currently available for sample purchase and mass production in LQFP176 and LQFP144 packages, respectively. Costs can be confirmed through inquiry. For more detailed information, you can contact a Microchip distributor or authorized reseller, or check the Microchip website.

Fanie Duvenhage, Vice President of Microchip’s Human-Machine Interface business unit, said, “The new products align perfectly with today’s in-car touch product trends, which feature larger screen sizes and reduced finger touch segmentation.”