Freescale Semiconductor
today announced the industry's first solution that combines gesture recognition
on resistive screen technology and capacitive touch sensing in a single
integrated circuit. This addition to the Xtrinsic
sensing portfolio is ideal for applications involving control panels, human
machine interface (HMI), keyboard replacement, automotive, point of sale
terminals, signature capture devices and kiosks.
In addition to providing capacitive touch capability, the
new Xtrinsic touch sensing platform
adds gesture recognition to resistive screens for markets and situations in
which capacitive screens are not a viable option. Resistive touch screens are inexpensive
to implement and therefore an excellent option to upgrade the user experience for
many applications. Its proven capability allows the detection of different
gestures, such as slide, touch rotate and two pinch for zooming in and out.
Resistive touch screens are also a good alternative when the use of gloves is
necessary due to medical, weather or security reasons.
The Xtrinsic touch sensing platform also expands Freescale's
Ready Play solutions portfolio.
Freescale Ready Play solutions integrate certified application functionality,
allowing customers to add features while reducing development cost, simplifying
design cycles and enabling scalability in applications and systems. By
implementing capacitive and resistive technologies in a single, turnkey device,
customers can reduce software development costs, board space and time to market
while adding additional features to their products.
"Freescale's Xtrinsic
capacitive and resistive touch sensing platform is the first device to integrate
gesture recognition without the need for complex hardware or screen
modifications," said Geoff Lees, vice president of Freescale's Industrial and
Multi-Market MCU business. "It offers a quick and inexpensive solution for
customers to develop advanced user interfaces for markets that haven't
previously incorporated touch sensing technologies and should have a strong
impact on mobile health care applications, automobiles, netbooks and smart
mobile devices."
The Xtrinsic touch sensing platform enables the addition of
up to four capacitive electrodes to a customer's system - all packaged in a 5x5
mm, 32-pin QFN. The platform includes standard X-Y resistive touch screen
detection with optional calibration and pressure detection on resistive
screens. Gesture detection includes slide, two-touch pinch and expand, and
two-touch rotate with four capacitive electrodes independent from the touch
screen utilizing I2C and UART communications protocols, as well as a
user-configurable screen resolution.
Expanding on its more than 30-year heritage of sensor
innovation, Freescale's Xtrinsic
sensing solutions are designed with the right combination of
high-performance sensing capability, processing capacity and customizable
software to help deliver smart, differentiated sensing applications. With
Xtrinsic sensing solutions, Freescale's vision is to offer a diverse and
differentiated product portfolio to meet the expanding needs of the automotive,
consumer and industrial segments. Xtrinsic solutions offer distinct blends of
functionality and intelligence designed to help customers differentiate and win
in highly competitive markets.
The Xtrinsic capacitive and resistive touch sensing platform
(CRTouch) will be included in the Tower System LCD development board, enabling
advanced capabilities throughout the Freescale portfolio. Sample quantities of
the cost-effective development board are planned for Q1 2012 at $85 (USD). Linux
and Android drivers will be available online, along with a complimentary demo
graphic user interface (GUI) and Freescale's PEG graphic library examples, at http://www.freescale.com/PEG. For more
information, visit www.freescale.com/CRTouch.
Wireless Design & Development
