Joystick Module Relies On Contactless Sensing

The EasyPoint joystick module, aimed at portable communications devices, consists of a mechanical stack incorporating a navigation knob with a magnet and the AS5011, a contactless sensing IC. The combination of the module’s simple construction and the contactless sensing technique implemented by the AS5011 lends it very high mechanical reliability. The EasyPoint joystick modules support true 360° range of movement, encompass a “select” function, and can be housed in a variety of form factors with module heights as low as 1.8 mm. At the core of the module is the company’s AS5011, a magnetic encoder IC that monitors knob displacement relative to its center position and provides position information via I2C outputs. The AS5011 offers user-selectable power-saving modes and is available in an ultra-thin QFN package (5x5 mm, 0.55 mm high). Module demonstration units and the AS5011 IC are available for sampling. At present, the modules come in two mechanical versions, either as a complete module with integrated AS5011 IC, or as a mechanical module only. The sizes range from 12.5 mm x 12.6 mm to 18.6 mm x 22.6 mm and support 1-mm and 2-mm knob displacement, respectively. AUSTRIAMICROSYSTEMS AG, Unterpremstaetten, Austria. +43 3136 500-0.