Chip Decodes Resistive Touch-Screen Signals

Circuitry for controlling the operation of analog resistive touch-screens is provided by the TSHARC-XXSC, a microcontroller that is also equipped with an on-chip 10- or 12-bit a/d converter for delivering 1,024 x 1,024 or 4,096 x 4,096 resolution, respectively. The new µC allows for dynamic selection of 4-, 5-, 7- and 8-wire resistive touch-screens, regardless of manufacturer or construction and it also supports RS-232, PS/2, ISA-Bus and 3-wire serial communications. Proprietary algorithms are provided for decoding, filtering, averaging and debouncing activities and for supplying an after-process sample rate of 140 points/s. The TSHARC-XXSC comes in 18- or 20-pin DIP, SSOP or SOIC packages and costs less than $10 and includes standard device drivers and engineering support. HAMPSHIRE CO., Milwaukee, WI. (414) 873-4675, ext. 112.