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new products
Highly Integrated Capacitive-Digital
Converter Delivers Superior Gesture Sensing
and Enhanced Touch Performance to
Automotive and Industrial Systems
ON Semiconductor (Nasdaq: ON), driving energy
efficient innovations, has introduced a new touch/
proximity sensing solution that combines industry-
leading
performance,
cost-effectiveness
and
convenience in a single chip. The LC717A30UJ high
dynamic range capacitance-to-digital converter uses
mutual capacitance to detect changes in capacitance
down to femtofarad (fF) levels. Parasitic capacitance
cancellation raises the detector sensitivity, while its
built-in noise rejection mechanism combats the effects
of electromagnetic interference (EMI).
The eight capacitance-sensing input channels make the
LC717A30UJ highly optimized for use in systems where
an array of switches is required. The device includes
an integrated multiplexer for input channel selection,
analog-to-digital converter, dual-stage amplifier that
determines capacitance changes plus outputs analog
amplitude values, system clock, power-on reset circuit,
and all the necessary control logic to create a total
solution. Both I2C and SPI interfaces are selectable
based on the system application needs.
As the device’s sensitivity has a range of 150
millimeters (mm) – beyond the scope of any competing
device on the market – its higher sensitivity enables
gesture motions as well as offering conventional touch
functionality, thereby enhancing users’ control options
to address a wide range of application scenarios.
In addition, it is capable of operating with an airgap
between the sensor/PCB and the protective cover – so
engineers can eliminate the inclusion of a light guide
from the assembly and reduce overall complexity. This
device also includes an integrated automatic calibration
function which optimizes and self-calibrates total
capacitance according to electrode, line capacitance,
and surrounding environment, thus significantly
accelerating system development cycle time as well as
robustness in the field.
The LC717A30UJ delivers rapid responsiveness,
with a measurement time of 16 milliseconds (ms) for
its 8 sensing channels and runs off a +2.6 volt (V) to
+5.5 V supply with a low-power standby mode of one
microampere (µA). The high degree of integration
means that minimal external components are required,
thereby further reducing the bill of materials. To support
the needs of automotive applications such as vehicle
entry systems and dashboard controls, the device is
AEC-Q100 compliant. With its high integration level
and wide dynamic range, it can also be employed in a
range of touch or gesture human interfaces in industrial
and consumer end products such as induction cookers,
refrigerators, home entertainment systems, building
automation equipment, industrial equipment, and
lighting controls.
“As we all know, touch technology has witnessed
widespread uptake within the consumer electronics
sector over the course of the last decade. Now there
are an ever-increasing number of opportunities for its
utilization in various non consumer sectors,” said Ikuya
Kawasaki, General Manager of the Intelligent Power
Solutions Group at ON Semiconductor. “This new
device possesses the key attributes needed to address
these demands, by providing a robust, simple to deploy
solution that successfully combines low price and
superior performance.”
Packaging and Pricing The LC717A30UJ is offered
in a SSOP-30 package and priced at $1.05 per unit
in 10,000 unit quantities. The LC717A30UJGEVK
capacitance touch sensor operation evaluation boards
are available to evaluate the operation of various switch
patterns. For more detailed product information, read
the LC717A30UJ blog or visit the website.
Renesas Electronics Unveils Automotive
Radar Solution to Bolster ADAS and
Autonomous Driving Vehicles
Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), a premier
supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today
announced its first RH850-based, 32-bit, automotive
radar microcontroller (MCU) series, the RH850/V1R,
New-Tech Magazine Europe l 69