Touch Controller Integrates LED Control And GPIO

Embarking as the first member of the company's generation of capacitive touch sense ICs, the AT42QT2160 touch controller combines touch key and touch slider functions in a single device. The chip controls up to 16 individual touch keys with a slider comprising between two and eight of the touch-key channels. In addition, the chip can also control up to 11 LEDs through a PWM output function via host control, thereby eliminating the need for an external LED controller. Operating from a 1.8V to 5.5V supply, the AT42QT2160 employs Quantum Research Group’s patented charge-transfer technology, which ensures high immunity to EMI through spread-spectrum modulation and filtering algorithms. An additional patented function, adjacent key suppression, intelligently suppresses signals from nearby keys so that only target keys register a touch. Also of note, the chip provides three GPIOs with PWM capability. Samples are available now in 28-pin, 4 mm x 4mm QFN packages and pricing starts at $0.98 each/10,000. A demonstration board is also available. ATMEL CORP., San Jose, CA. (408) 441-0311.