Microchip Technology Introduces mTouch(TM) Projected Capacitive Touch-Screen Sensing Technology, Development Kit and 8-bit MCU

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Technology & Kit Provide Flexible, Royalty-Free Solution With GUI-Based Tools; Projected-Cap 8-bit MCU Available for Just $0.99 Each, In Volume

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller, analog, and Flash-IP solutions, today announced from the SID Display Week show in Seattle the availability of mTouch(TM) Projected Capacitive Touch-Screen Sensing Technology, the first in a series of patent-pending releases supporting projected capacitive touch-screen solutions across the Company's portfolio of 8-, 16- and 32-bit PIC(R) MCUs. Microchip also announced the mTouch Projected Capacitive Development Kit today, as well as the PIC16F707 8-bit microcontroller (MCU), featuring two 16-channel Capacitive Sensing Modules (CSMs) that can run in parallel for increased sampling speed. The MCU is available today for just $0.99 each in volume and, along with the mTouch projected-capacitive technology and development kit, enables designers to easily integrate projected capacitive touch-sensing functionality into their application with a single MCU, thus reducing total system costs and increasing design flexibility.

Touch sensing continues to gain traction as an alternative to traditional push-button user interfaces, because it enables a more flexible, intuitive interface with a modern-looking design. mTouch projected capacitive touch-screen technology enables customers to quickly develop and implement robust glass-front user interfaces that simplify user interaction via features such as gestures. Typical applications include global positioning systems, thermostats, mobile handheld units and other devices that use smaller displays with a finger input. The technology is available via a royalty-free source code license from Microchip's online Touch Sensing Design Center (http://www.microchip.com/get/AX10).

"Microchip continues to make it easy for designers to integrate touch-sensing interfaces, with inexpensive, no-hassle solutions," said Steve Drehobl, vice president of Microchip's Security, Microcontroller and Technology Development Division. "Our projected-capacitive offering gives customers access to this exciting technology with a minimal learning curve, for fast time to market. The technology and development kit are easily accessible, highly flexible and user-oriented, to enable low-cost and fast implementations of projected-capacitive touch."

mTouch(TM) Projected Capacitive Development Kit

The mTouch Projected Capacitive Development Kit (part # DM160211, $119.99) includes a 3.5" sensor mounted on a sensor board, a projected-capacitive board with the PIC16F707 MCU and fully functional firmware. The kit enables users to connect sensors to up to 24 channels, without modifying the firmware. The open source code supports sensors with up to 32 channels, and the kit includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI) tool that enables customers to easily adjust key parameters that are important to their design. The kit can be purchased today, at microchipDIRECT (http://www.microchip.com/get/746C).

PIC16F707 Microcontroller

In addition to two CSMs, the low-power PIC16F707 8-bit MCU has a wide operating voltage range of 1.8 - 5.5V, with a typical projected-capacitive sensor application operating current of approximately 1.5 mA at 5V. A 40-pin, 5 mm x 5 mm micro QFN ( QFN) package option is expected to be available in Calendar Q3 2010. The MCU is available now, in 44-pin, 8 mm x 8 mm QFN and TQFP packages, for $0.99 each in volume. Samples of the MCU in the QFN and TQFP packages can be ordered today, at http://www.microchip.com/get/PSJ9. Volume-production quantities of the MCU in these package options can be purchased today, at microchipDIRECT (http://www.microchip.com/get/746C). For further information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/AX10.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com/get/JK8B.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, and PIC are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A., and other countries. mTouch is a trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A., and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

High-res Photo and Block Diagram available through editorial contact or Flickr (feel free to publish):

Photo

http://www.microchip.com/get/JE39

Block Diagram

http://www.microchip.com/get/CCB6

Photo of Dev. Kit

http://www.microchip.com/get/5R42

Tags / Keywords: Microchip, MCHP, PIC, microcontroller, MCU, mTouch, touch sensing, projected capacitive, PIC16F707, human interface, DM160211

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    Source: Microchip Technology Inc.

Released May 25, 2010