Touchscreen controller targets ultra-wide automotive touch displays

Microchip Technology Inc. has introduced the maXTouch MXT2912TD-UW touchscreen controller for automotive applications where the vehicle’s cluster, center stack, and co-driver displays are consolidated into wide screens. The company claims the MaXTouch MXT2912TD-UW is the industry’s first automotive-qualified, single-chip solution that addresses display sizes up to 45 inches with a very wide aspect ratio, supporting liquid-crystal display (LCD) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) display technologies.

Addressing integration complexity and cost, the MXT2912TD-UW reduces the need for multiple touch controllers in a vehicle’s human machine interface (HMI) display. The single-chip touch controller provides the highest report rate for wide displays and is independent of the display resolution, which helps achieve the same smartphone user experience that consumers have come to expect, said Microchip. Typical report rate for 10 touches is  ³80 Hz (subject to configuration).

The MXT2912TD-UW enables detection and tracking of multi-finger touch through thick gloves and a variety of overlay materials and thicknesses, even in the presence of moisture, thanks to the high signal-to-noise (SNR) inherent in the maXTouch technology. Mutual capacitance and self-capacitance measurements are supported for robust touch detection.

The maXTouch touchscreen controller contains a variety of safety related features, supporting the ISO 26262 specification for functional safety in road vehicles. These include periodic self-test, touch sensor test, internal Flash and RAM tests, full signal data path integrity checks and additional microprocessor (MPU) core testing. The embedded firmware is developed to Automotive SPICE processes. The device is AEC-Q100 qualified (Grade 2) with an operating temperature range of -40°C to 105°C.

The MXT2912TD-UW is available in volume production. Products can be purchased at Microchip’s website and via the company’s authorized distributor network. Development tools include Microchip’s maXTouch Studio development tool and maXTouch Analyzer inspection tool for production line testing.

Last year, Microchip expanded its maXTouch portfolio with the release of its smallest automotive touch controller aimed at secondary displays with advanced features. The MXT288UD touch controller family can fit secondary touch surfaces that are found 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, and in an armrest.