As the adoption of capacitive touch interfaces expands rapidly, the use of conventional mechanical keys with limited functions are effectively being replaced. Panels with user-friendly designs can be operated using actions such as finger touches and swipe motions. Capacitive touch technology allows even devices designed for complex and highly skilled operations to be controlled with intuitive finger movements.
As the capacitive touch operation scene expands, panel sensitivity and high-noise resistance have become key requirements in achieving accurate switching movements and sophisticated operational performance. There is also a demand for features involving environmental tolerance to water, dirt, or temperature variations. In addition to these requirements, development periods and costs are also hurdles that need to be considered and overcome.
Renesas offers revolutionary design to switching devices and equipment with our 2nd generation capacitive touch solution that enables a user-friendly environment to support manufacturing processes and lowers hurdles in capacitive touch sensor development.
Introduction Guide
Capacitive Sensor Microcontrollers CTSU Capacitive Touch Introduction Guide
This application note is an introduction guide for customers who are using capacitive touch sensors for the first time. It introduces the principles and features of capacitive touch detection, MCU lineup, hardware, software, development environment, and evaluation kits (Capacitive Touch Evaluation System).
Development Environment
Capacitive Touch Evaluation Systems
Capacitive touch evaluation systems make it easy for users to evaluate touch solutions offered by Renesas. You can start evaluating immediately out of the box using the board and software included in each kit.
Capacitive Touch Development Tool: QE for Capacitive Touch
QE for Capacitive Touch makes it easy to adjust the sensitivity of the touch buttons that are necessary for embedded system development that uses capacitive touch technology, shortening time to market. This tool supports the RX Family of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs).
Product Functions & Features
- Easily incorporate touch button drivers into a program via a graphical user interface (GUI)
- Easily adjust touch buttons in sequence using workflows
- Graphical display of the touch interface configuration enables easy visualization
- Even a large number of touch buttons can be automatically tuned quickly, improving development efficiency
- Apply program modifications with the push of a single button
- Monitoring function makes it easy to check and fine tune touch button operation
- e2 studio integrated development environment integration* allows all work to be done from e2 studio
QE for Capacitive Touch is a plug-in for e2 studio. The plug-in must be downloaded from the website and installed.
Main/Sensor Tuner View
Board Monitor View
Status Chart View
Capacitive Touch MCU Lineup
For details on each product, please see the MCU Selection Table.
Reference Designs
Metal Touch Solution Reference Design
Renesas’ Metal Touch Solution reference design applies capacitive touch technology and is compatible with traditional non-conductive and metal materials.
Smart Wake Up Solution
This solution performs low power consumption standby by using the automatic judgment function of CTSU2SL and the multi-electrode connection function.
Self-Capacitance Waterproof Button Solution
We prepared a demonstration of self-capacitance waterproof button. The solution can compare the Waterproof of GND shields and Active shields for self-capacitance button.
Touchless Button Reference Design
The touchless button reference design applies Renesas capacitive solutions to detect approaching fingers and hands without physical contact. Two types of reference design, Demo solution and electrode boards are available.
Touch-Free User Interface Reference Design
The 3D gesture demo applies Renesas' capacitive touch solution to realize an HMI that detects gesture motions (up and down, left and right, and forward and back) of a hand in a three-dimensional space. A standard version (160mm sq.) and small version (80mm sq.) are available.
Capacitive Sensor Application Reference Design
As a capacitive sensor application, we prepared a demonstration of water level measurement using the Renesas capacitive touch solution.
Partners
Noritake Itron corp.
Sales and development of glass capacitive touch switch modules
TEL: +81-3-6205-4424
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.noritake-itron.jp/
Hokuto Denshi Co., Ltd.
Evaluation board developer and computer programmer supplier
TEL: +81-11-640-8800
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.hokutodenshi.co.jp/
Yokoyama Shokai Co., Ltd.
Touch module supplier
TEL: +81-76-267-5624
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.yokoyama-gr.co.jp/
Toyo Label Co., Ltd.
Sales and development of transparent electrodes for capacitive switches
TEL: +81-75-314-2117
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.toyolabel.co.jp/
Takaya Corporation
Developer of intelligent capacitive touch sensors with customized functions and pricing
TEL: +81-866-62-2015
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.takaya.co.jp/product/ems/
CapExt
Easy to use, accurate, and fast capacitance extractor/simulator for PCBs and touch screens
TEL: +47 977 08 997
e-mail: [email protected]
https://capext.com/
WT Microelectronics
HMI hardware solution provides an excellent demonstration for embedded GUI applications
TEL: +886-2-82269088
e-mail: [email protected]
https://www.wtmec.com/
