Introduction

The AT42QT1010 (QT1010) 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.

Features

● 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

● 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)