CapSense Technology
AN64846 - Getting Started with CapSense
®
Doc. No. 001-64846 Rev. *X
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Ideal topology for curved, sloping, or otherwise irregular front panels
Ideal for designs where touch sensor surface is physically separated from silicon or mother board
Ideal for designs where CapSense and mechanical button combination is desired
2.7.3 Field Coupled Via Printed Ink
Features of a design based on printed ink:
Electric field coupled with printed patterns on a flexible substrate using conductive ink
High series resistance due to higher sheet resistance (ohms-per-square) of printed ink compared to copper.
However, the series resistance of the materials such as silver loaded inks, ITO, and PEDOT depend on the
thickness variation as their sheet resistance is relatively low.
High parasitic capacitance due to thin PCB substrate
No mechanical moving parts, but substrate is flexible
Coupled to the touch sensor surface with a nonconductive overlay
Ideal topology for flexible front panels
Flexible PCB can be one-layer or two-layer film
2.7.4 Field Coupled via ITO Film on Glass
Features of a design based on ITO film:
Electric field coupled with printed or deposited patterns on glass
Higher series resistance of ITO films compared to copper
No mechanical moving parts
Ideal topology for graphical front panels
2.8 Liquid Tolerance
CapSense is used in a variety of applications such as home appliances, automotive, and industrial applications. These
applications require robust CapSense operation even in the presence of mist, moisture, water, ice, and humidity
changes. In a CapSense design, false sensing of touch may happen due to the presence of a film of liquid or liquid
droplets on the touch surface.
Cypress’s CapSense sensing method can compensate for variation in raw count due to
mist, moisture, water, ice, and humidity changes and provide a robust, reliable, CapSense operation.
Figure 2-31. CapSense-based Touch User Interface in a Washing Machine with Liquid Tolerance
To compensate for changes in raw count due to mist, moisture, and humidity changes, the CapSense sensing method
continuously adjusts the baseline of the sensor to prevent sensor false triggers. To compensate for changes in raw
count due to a liquid droplet or liquid flow, you should implement a
shows. All sensor pins can optionally have a 560-
Ω series resistor for improved
noise immunity.