Microchip Technology maXTouch MXT288UD touch controller family

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Microchip Technology announced the extension of its maXTouch portfolio with the MXT288UD touch controller family, containing what are claimed to be the industry’s smallest automotive-grade packaged touchscreen controllers. The MXT288UD-AM and MXT144UD-AM devices offer low power mode, weatherproof operation and glove touch detection in multifunction displays, touch pads and smart surfaces for vehicles, motorcycles, e-bikes and car-sharing services.

Secondary touch surfaces can be placed in both the interior of cars and exterior of a motor vehicle, such as handlebars, doors, electronic mirrors, control knobs, the steering wheel, between seats or in an armrest. With the MXT288UD family’s 7 x 7 mm automotive-grade VQFN56 package, tier one suppliers should expect to reduce board space by 75% and minimise the overall bill of materials (BoM) for these compact applications — all while exceeding the requirements for good touch performance. The family’s low-power wait-for-touch mode consumes less than 50 µA, remaining responsive for the user, even if the display switches off to save power or to avoid disturbing the driver at night. The system will wake by a touch event anywhere on the touch surface.

The MXT288UD-AM and MXT144UD-AM devices enable detection and tracking of multifinger-thick gloves through a wide variety of overlay materials and thicknesses, like leather, wood or across uneven surfaces — even in the presence of moisture. In car-sharing applications, this touch functionality helps users access a car from the outside by tracking touch coordinates on an exterior display in any environment, like rain, snow or extreme heat. Motorcycles and other motorbike vehicles also benefit from such weatherproof designs. As a turnkey solution, the MXT288UD family provides firmware developed according to Automotive SPICE processes and is AEC-Q100 qualified — making it easy for today’s automotive manufacturers to integrate into existing systems at a low risk with fast time to market.

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