Controller delivers industry's best proximity sensing range

According to the mcu specialist, a longer sensing range enables a system to wake up as an object or finger approaches the system, which then turns on the backlight or boots up when the operation commences. Potential applications include automotive, computing, consumer, industrial and medical. The touch controller incorporates the QTouchADC sensing algorithm which is designed to eliminate the need for external components. The architecture is also said to deliver a faster scan time and lower current consumption for applications that perform proximity scanning in standby mode. "With the consumer, industrial and automotive markets growing at a five year CAGR of 5% from 2010, manufacturers are looking for features that differentiate their products from their competition," said Randy Lawson, principal analyst and manager of Consumer Electronics and Display Electronics research with IHS. "Proximity sensing can provide a key differentiating feature in these markets. With the Atmel launch of the QT2120, the company has enhanced its position in the capacitive touch controller market for buttons, sliders, wheels - and now, the proximity sensing market."