QTouch Sensor IC 48-Pin SSOP

The AT42QT1011 (QT1011) is a digital burst mode charge-transfer (QT) sensor that is capable of detecting near proximity or touch, making it ideal for implementing touch controls. With the proper electrode and circuit design, the self-contained digital IC will project a touch or proximity field to several centimeters through any dielectric like glass, plastic, stone, ceramic, and even most kinds of wood. It can also turn small metal-bearing objects into intrinsic sensors, making them responsive to proximity or touch. This capability, coupled with its ability to self-calibrate, can lead to entirely new product concepts. The QT1011 is designed specifically for human interfaces, like control panels, appliances, toys, lighting controls, or anywhere a mechanical switch or button may be found. It includes all hardware and signal processing functions necessary to provide stable sensing under a wide variety of changing conditions. Only a single low-cost capacitor is required for operation.

• Number of Keys:
  • One – configurable as either a single key or a proximity sensor
• Technology:
  • Patented spread-spectrum charge-transfer (direct mode)
• Key outline sizes:
  • 6 mm × 6 mm or larger (panel thickness dependent); widely different sizes and shapes possible
• Electrode design:
  • Solid or ring electrode shapes
• PCB Layers required:
  • One
• Electrode materials:
  • Etched copper, silver, carbon, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)
• Electrode substrates:
  • PCB, FPCB, plastic films, glass
• Panel materials:
  • Plastic, glass, composites, painted surfaces (low particle density metallic paints possible)
• Panel thickness:
  • Up to 12 mm glass, 6 mm plastic (electrode size and Cs dependent)
• Key sensitivity:
  • Settable via capacitor (Cs)
• Interface:
  • Digital output, active high
• Moisture tolerance:
  • Increased moisture tolerance based on hardware design and firmware tuning
• Operating Voltage:
  • 1.8 V – 5.5 V; 17 µA at 1.8 V typical
• Package:
  • 6-pin SOT23-6 RoHS compliant
  • 8-pin UDFN/USON RoHS compliant
• Signal processing:
  • Self-calibration, auto drift compensation, noise filtering
  • Infinite max on-duration
• Applications:
  • Control panels, consumer appliances, proximity sensor applications, toys, lighting controls, mechanical switch or button,
• Patents:
  • QTouch (patented charge-transfer method)
  • Heartbeat (monitors health of device)