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Capacitive Touchscreen Controller Family for the Home Appliance Market Dedicated to Work in Harsh and Noisy Environments

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Microchip Technology has expanded its functional-safety-certified capacitive maXTouch® touchscreen controller family with the launch of the MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA. These new devices cater to touchscreens larger than 10 inches, supporting home appliances while ensuring high noise immunity and reliability in harsh environments. With simultaneous SPI and I²C serial interfaces, they enhance design safety and reduce development costs. Starting at $2.40 in bulk, these devices are now available for volume production, offering critical improvements for manufacturers and consumers alike.

Positive
  • Launch of MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA enhances product portfolio for touchscreens over 10 inches.
  • Supports IEC/UL 60730 Class B certification, ensuring safety for appliance manufacturers.
  • Improved noise immunity allows for reliable operation in industrial environments.
  • Offers simultaneous SPI and I²C interfaces for enhanced safety and reduced development costs.
Negative
  • None.

Microchip extends its functional-safety-certified family of capacitive maXTouch® touchscreen controllers with the MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA to address screen sizes beyond 10 inches

CHANDLER, Ariz., Oct. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Networked and connected home appliances enable both users and manufacturers to communicate with them via the internet. For example, the user of a kitchen oven might look up a new recipe online or a manufacturer might perform remote diagnostics or over-the-air firmware updates. Displays and touch sensors are essential for enabling this functionality in modern appliances. Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) is adding two new members to its family of IEC/UL 60730 Class B certified touchscreen controllers. The new MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA extend the Class B portfolio of devices beyond 10 inches, thus providing dedicated solutions for larger screen sizes as well as scalability to customers.

In addition to Class B, these new devices are also compliant with the IEC61000-4-6 Class A specification for conducted noise immunity up to 10 Vrms (level three for industrial use). This enables products with a touch screen interface to function in very harsh factory environments where electromagnetic interference can be caused by conveyer belts, power rails or assembly machinery. Manufacturers of home appliances will benefit from an increased reliability and production yield. This is a big improvement for consumers using unprotected touchscreens on an oven or washing machine that may result in concern for false or missed touches caused by electromagnetic interference from unshielded power transmission, electric motors, and neighboring electrical equipment.  

These new touchscreen controllers also come with two serial interfaces (SPI and I²C) that operate simultaneously allowing redundancy in a design through the integration of safety features, such as individual communication between the touchscreen controller to the host microprocessor (MPU) in addition to a safety microcontroller (MCU). Touch events are provided to both processors at the same time. This unique architecture shortens time to market and reduces development cost by allowing all safety-critical firmware to be developed on a dedicated safety-certified MCU (with mandatory source code review by an IEC/UL test lab) separate from the main processor running the appliance’s Graphical User Interface (GUI).

“As products add more controls via a touch screen, the interface must work reliably to both satisfy and protect users,” said Clayton Pillion, director of Microchip’s human machine interface business unit. “maXTouch® technology delivers outstanding noise immunity performance allowing for safe and robust operation throughout its lifetime. We have worked closely with customers to deliver the first functional safety touch controller families and are seeing high adoption where noise immunity is critical to a successful product.”

In addition to the IEC compliances, the MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA family supports an operating temperature up to 105°C, which is a key requirement for cooktops and ovens where the Human Machine Interface (HMI) system is near heating elements.

Development Tools
Microchip offers software to supplement these new controllers, including maXTouch Studio (development tool) and maXTouch Analyzer (production end-of-line test/inspection tool). 

In addition, the general-purpose ATEVK-MXT640UD-A Evaluation Kit (EVK) is available. Customers specifically needing the home appliance functional safety version of this evaluation kit can contact Microchip to request it.

Pricing and Availability
The two new devices (ATMXT448UD-CCUHA1, ATMXT640UD-CCUHA1) for home appliances are available in volume production starting at $2.40 for the ATMXT448UD part in 10,000-unit quantities.

For additional information, contact a Microchip sales representative, authorized worldwide distributor or visit Microchip’s website. To purchase products mentioned here visit our purchasing portal or contact a Microchip authorized distributor.

Resources
High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):
Application image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/51557987536/

About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company’s solutions serve more than 120,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo, and maXTouch are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

Editorial Contact:Reader Inquiries:
Jessica Goble1-888-624-7435
602-341-8743 
Jessica.Goble@microchip.com 


FAQ

What are the features of the MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA touchscreen controllers by Microchip?

The MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA controllers support screens over 10 inches, offer IEC/UL 60730 Class B certification, and feature enhanced noise immunity for reliable operation.

When are the MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA available for purchase?

The MXT448UD-HA and MXT640UD-HA touchscreen controllers are available for volume production as of October 12, 2021.

What is the starting price for the new touchscreen controllers from Microchip?

The starting price for the MXT448UD-HA touchscreen controller is $2.40 when ordered in quantities of 10,000.

How do the new touchscreen controllers improve appliance safety?

The new controllers provide enhanced noise immunity and support simultaneous communication with safety microcontrollers, ensuring reliable operation and user safety.

What markets do the new touchscreen controllers target?

These controllers primarily target the home appliance market, particularly for devices requiring larger touchscreen interfaces.

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