Low Power, Small Footprint Touchscreen Controller Platform offers +/- 15kV ESD Protection

Low Power, Small Footprint Touchscreen Controller Platform offers ±15kV ESD Protection

Optimised for power consumption,  size and resistance to electro-static discharge (ESD), a  new ultra-low power 4-wire resistive touchscreen controller is launched by Semtech Corp.

Analog and mixed-signal semiconductor specialist Semtech Corp. has launched an ultra-low power 4-wire resistive touchscreen controller optimised for power consumption (23uA), size (1.46mm x 1.96mm), and resistance to electro-static discharge (ESD). The first in a new platform of touchscreen controllers, the Semtech SX8650 is ideal for applications such as mobile phones, digital still cameras, MP3 players, PDAs, personal navigation devices, and handheld gaming devices.

With a 1.65V to 3.7V operating voltage range, the SX8650 supports the 400 kHz fast-mode I²C serial bus data protocol. It features a highly accurate 12-bit analog-to-digital converter for coordinates and touch pressure measurement and is able to achieve an equivalent throughput output rate of 50 kSPS.  Current consumption is as little as 23uA at 8 kSPS rate.  Also featuring a dedicated hardware / RESET pin; a built-in preprocessing algorithm for data averaging that greatly reduces bus loading and further minimizes the overall system power budget; an on-chip programmable settling time capability that optimises the throughput rates for a vast variety of touch panel designs; and the ability to enter low power states automatically between conversions, the SX8650 is the complete touchscreen solution for portable and battery powered 4-wire resistive touchscreen devices.

ESD Protection
Responding to feedback from customers and end-users, Semtech designers have successfully addressed the field returns issue occasioned by destructive ESD in touchscreen applications. Each analog input of the SX8650 has been specifically designed to robustly withstand ESD events up to ±15kV in both human body model (HBM) and IEC 61000-4-2 standards, eliminating the need for external transient voltage suppression devices while minimising cost and board space.

The SX8650 is available in both a 3mm x 3mm 12-DFN and 1.46mm x 1.96mm 12-WLCSP space-saving packages and is guaranteed to operate over the extended (-40°C to +85°C) temperature range. The device is fully available in production quantities.

Semtech provides comprehensive design assistance in support of its SX8650 resistive touchscreen controller, including field- and factory-based support. Data sheets, volume pricing, and delivery quotes, as well as evaluation kits and samples can be requested below.