4D Proximity Sensors will Bring Better User Experience

Published:2011/9/13 1:07:00 Author:Li xiao na From:SeekIC

The 4D-Touch touchscreen controller family can sense in all four dimensions with proximity sensing. Now, the Semtech is in volume production of it. With this technique, the users do not need to initiate the user experience any more. This product is designed for the applications of smart phones, tablets, handheld GPS, automotive consoles, and POS terminals. The devices have a detection feature that gives OEMs the ability to introduce a sensing experience to their products before a user even touches the device.

Semtech implement this high resolution capacitive proximity sensing by its proprietary analogue front-end design, thus the detection from a long distance as well as sensing through thick overlays and materials with low permittivity can be done. Both resistive and capacitive sensing platforms are included in Semtech’s 4D-Touc family.

With any standard 4/5-wire analogue resistive panel, the first resistive touch screen products support a proximity detection distance of 5 cm. They have a 12-bit A-D for coordinates and touch pressure measurement with current consumption of 30uA at 8kSPS rate. Furthermore, Typical enhanced user experiences enabled by this type of technology includes waking up the system as the user moves within sensing range, adjusting the backlight brighter/dimmer as the user approaches the panel or even displaying hidden/key menus as the user’s hand gets close to the display.

Some products also can drive LRA or ERM motors directly for haptic feedback emulating the mechanical tactile feedback users are accustomed to. The capacitive touch-button solutions of Semtech is so sensitive that a hand approaching within 10cm can automatically turn on the LEDs behind the control buttons and offer visual feedback to the user. For the hidden buttons, the LCD TV monitor is a suitable application. The power consumption is very low. Embedded in the portable devices, it only consumers 0.4uA in standby mode.

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