Designers can achieve a mechanical button replacement without having to write firmware or learn to use new software tools, claims Cypress Semiconductor of its CapSense Express capacitive touch sensing controller. The hardware-configurable CY8CMBR2044 controller uses the company's SmartSense auto-tuning algorithm which dynamically optimises the baseline and detection threshold adn adjusts for optimaal capacitance sensing range at power up and during runtime as environmental conditions change. Its design toolbox provides resources for interfacing. The controller delivers touch-sensing with ultra-low power consumption to extend battery life in handheld products for consumer, communication, white goods, lighting, industrial and medical applications. The controlleroperates from 1.7 to 5.5V and offers low overall power consumption with supply current in run mode as low as 15µA/button and has a deep sleep current of 100nA, which is an industry best, claims the company. The company's CapSense Sigma Delta sensing provides immunity to conducted and radiated noise. The auto-tuning can eliminate the need for additional test steps to address the vendor-to-vendor variations in PCBs and overlays. The controller integrates a voltage regulator to address power supply noise as well as filters for any spurious noise.
