Robust capacitive touch controller ICs senses o.1 pF finger cap and tolerate water

Cypress Semiconductor has introduced the CY8C20xx7/S CapSense and CapSense Plus controllers with Cypress’s new QuietZone technology to combat noise. QuietZone immunity to radiated and conducted noise. Its high sensitivity can determine changes in finger capacitance as low as 0.1 pF. A key component of this technology is Cypress’s patented Capacitive Sigma Delta (CSD) Plus sensing algorithm. The CY8C20xx7S devices feature SmartSense Auto-tuning that automatically sets and monitors the performance of each sensor and dynamically compensates for noise and environmental variations during runtime to deliver optimal sensor performance and uniform button response. This technology also adapts to manufacturing variations in PCBs, overlays, and tunes out noise generators such as LCD inverters, AC lines and switched-mode power supplies. It tunes all design parameters for both proximity detection and water tolerance features, with separate fine tuning for proximity distance. SmartSense desigend to meet demands of the industrial and white goods markets. The CY8C20xx7/S also offers proximity detection of up to 30 cm. Its low power enables proximity designs in battery-powered applications, such as “wake-on-approach” for mice that provides lower system power consumption by allowing the device to sleep until a user’s hand approaches. The family also has driven shield capability, which enha...