Automotive-qualified single-chip solution for large ultrawide touch displays

Microchip Technology has announced its maXTouch MXT2912TD-UW touchscreen controller. This is claimed to be the industry’s first automotive-qualified, single-chip solution that addresses display sizes up to 45" with a really wide aspect ratio, supporting LCD and OLED display technologies.

The device lessens the requirement for multiple touch controllers within a vehicle’s HMI display. This single-chip touch controller gives the highest report rate for wide displays and is independent of the display resolution, helping to deliver the same user experience that has become customary with the smartphone. Also supported by the maXTouch family’s intrinsic SNR, the device allows detection and tracking of multi-finger thick gloves through a wide variety of overlay materials and thicknesses, even in the presence of moisture.

Driven by the ISO 26262 specification for functional safety in road vehicles, the device includes various safety-related features, simplifying the display module system’s path to functional safety certification. These comprise periodic self-test, touch sensor test, internal flash and RAM tests, full signal data path integrity checks and additional MPU core testing. The embedded firmware is developed to automotive SPICE processes.

“The automotive industry is driving new innovations in interior design, including the integration of sleek human-machine interface concepts. Microchip enables these revolutionary designs with our new touch controller, supporting wide aspect ratio touch sensors with our unique and patented technology,” said Fanie Duvenhage, vice president of Microchip’s human-machine interface business unit.

“Our single-chip solution offers display makers and automotive Tier 1 suppliers simple and known touch solutions for modern vehicle HMI systems, reducing cost, risk and time to market.”

To support its touchscreen controllers, the company also provides complementary devices such as LDOs, 8-16- and-32-bit MCUs, CAN and CAN PHY controllers and more.