Freescale Semiconductor has announced that it adds the
MPR121, a ultra-low-power capacitive sensor and a touch
sensing software (TSS) suite compatible with more than 300
of its 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) to expand its touch
sensing solutions for consumer and industrial applications.
The MPR121 capacitive touch sensor provides high reliable
touch detection through increased electrode count, integration
of automatic calibration and area detection systems, and
also includes a hardware-configurable I2C address, an expanded
filtering system with debounce and independent electrodes
with auto-configuration built in.
The key features of the MPR121 capacitive touch sensor
are,
Support for up to 12 touch electrodes, plus proximity function
1.71 V to 3.6 V operation
Low power, with 29-µA average supply current
All 12 electrodes monitored with 16 ms (62.5Hz) sample rate
Continuous independent auto-calibration for each electrode
Separate touch and release trip thresholds for each electrode
Provides hysteresis and electrode independence
Drives up to eight LEDs or provides up to eight logic I/Os
in any combination
3-µA maximum shutdown current
I²C interface with IRQ output to advise electrode status
changes
Operating temperature range from -40°C to +85°C
The suggested applications for the MPR121 capacitive touch
sensor include portable, low-power consumer electronics
applications, and also selected to enable compelling features
for the new MP3 players from Audiovox.
The TSS suites enabling the integration of touch sensing
functionality into applications based on Freescale 8-bit
MCUs. The TSS suite works with Freescale's S08 MCUs and
the CodeWarrior development environment. The software package
includes an evaluation and demo board, demonstration and
implementation examples, technical documentation, hardware
design guidelines and online training and support.
The key features of the Touch sensing software suite are,
Supports up to 64 electrodes
Offers a keypad, slider, rotary, matrix, touchpad or any
combination
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
Operating input voltage range from 1.8 V to 5.5 V
Fully compatible with more than 300 Freescale S08 MCU devices
Package:
MPR121: 3 x 3 x 0.6 mm 20-lead QFN package
TSS suite: Supports from QFN8 (4x4x1) up to LQFP100 (14X14X1.4)
package
Price:
MPR121: Suggested resale price is 78 cents (USD) for 10k
pieces
Availability:
MPR121: Now, with production quantities planned for November
2009.
TSS Suite: Is available to download now, free of charge,
to Freescale MCU customers.
For more details visit www.freescale.com
Editorial Product Rating: Average
