As the adoption of capacitive touch interfaces expands rapidly, the use of conventional mechanical keys with limited functions are effectively being replaced. Panels with user-friendly designs can be operated using actions such as finger touches and swipe motions. Capacitive touch technology allows even devices designed for complex and highly skilled operations to be controlled with intuitive finger movements.

As the capacitive touch operation scene expands, panel sensitivity and high-noise resistance have become key requirements in achieving accurate switching movements and sophisticated operational performance. There is also a demand for features involving environmental tolerance to water, dirt or temperature variations. In addition to these requirements, development periods and costs are also hurdles that need to be considered and overcome.

Renesas offers revolutionary design to switching devices and equipment with our 2nd generation capacitive touch solution that enables a user-friendly environment to support manufacturing processes and lowers hurdles in capacitive touch sensor development.

Introduction Guide

Capacitive Sensor Microcontrollers CTSU Capacitive Touch Introduction Guide

This application note is an introduction guide for customers who are using capacitive touch sensors for the first time. It introduces the principles and features of capacitive touch detection, MCU lineup, hardware, software, development environment, and evaluation kits (Capacitive Touch Evaluation System).

Development Environment

Capacitive Touch Evaluation Systems

Capacitive touch evaluation systems make it easy for users to evaluate touch solutions offered by Renesas. You can start evaluating immediately out of the box using the board and software included in each kit.

Capacitive Touch Development Tool: QE for Capacitive Touch

QE for Capacitive Touch makes it easy to adjust the sensitivity of the touch buttons that are necessary for embedded system development that uses capacitive touch technology, shortening time to market. This tool supports the RX Family of 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs).

Product Functions & Features

  • Easily incorporate touch button drivers into a program via a graphical user interface (GUI)
  • Easily adjust touch buttons in sequence using workflows
  • Graphical display of the touch interface configuration enables easy visualization
  • Even a large number of touch buttons can be automatically tuned quickly, improving development efficiency
  • Apply program modifications with the push of a single button
  • Monitoring function makes it easy to check and fine tune touch button operation
  • e2 studio integrated development environment integration* allows all work to be done from e2 studio

QE for Capacitive Touch is a plug-in for e2 studio. The plug-in must be downloaded from the website and installed.

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Main/Sensor Tuner View

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Board Monitor View

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Status Chart View

Capacitive Touch MCU Lineup

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Capacitive Touch MCU Lineup

For details on each product, please see the MCU Selection Table.

Reference Designs

Smart Wake Up Solution

This solution performs low power consumption standby by using the automatic judgment function of CTSU2SL and the multi-electrode connection function.  

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Smart Wake Up Solution

Self-Capacitance Waterproof Button Solution

We prepared a demonstration of self-capacitance waterproof button. The solution can compare the Waterproof of GND shields and Active shields for self-capacitance button.

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Self-Capacitance Waterproof Button Solution

Touchless Button Reference Design

The touchless button reference design applies Renesas capacitive solutions to detect approaching fingers and hands without physical contact. Two types of reference design, Demo solution and electrode boards are available.

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capacitive sensor application reference design touchless button solution reference design

Touch-Free User Interface Reference Design

The 3D gesture demo applies Renesas' capacitive touch solution to realize an HMI that detects gesture motions (up and down, left and right, and forward and back) of a hand in a three-dimensional space. A standard version (160mm sq.) and small version (80mm sq.) are available.

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3D Gesture Demo

Capacitive Sensor Application Reference Design

As a capacitive sensor application, we prepared a demonstration of water level measurement using the Renesas capacitive touch solution.

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静電容量センサ応用リファレンスデザイン

 

Partners

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Noritake Itron Logo

Noritake Itron corp.

Sales and development of glass capacitive touch switch modules

TEL: +81-3-6205-4424
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.noritake-itron.jp/

Itron Capacitive Touch Switch

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Hokuto Denshi Logo

Hokuto Denshi Co., Ltd.

Evaluation board developer and computer programmer supplier

TEL: +81-11-640-8800
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.hokutodenshi.co.jp/

RX113 Touch Key Evaluation Kit R

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Yokoyama Shokai Logo

Yokoyama Shokai Co., Ltd.

Touch module supplier

TEL: +81-76-267-5624
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.yokoyama-gr.co.jp/


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Toyo Label Co. Logo

Toyo Label Co., Ltd.

Sales and development of transparent electrodes for capacitive switches

TEL: +81-75-314-2117
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.toyolabel.co.jp/

Capacitive Switches

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Takaya Corporation Logo

Takaya Corporation

Developer of intelligent capacitive touch sensors with customized functions and pricing

TEL: +81-866-62-2015
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.takaya.co.jp/product/ems/

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CapExtロゴ

CapExt

Easy to use, accurate, and fast capacitance extractor/simulator for PCBs and touch screens

TEL: +47 977 08 997
e-mail: [email protected]
https://capext.com/

CapExt Simulation Software

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WT Logo

WT Microelectronics

HMI hardware solution provides an excellent demonstration for embedded GUI applications

TEL: +886-2-82269088
e-mail: [email protected]
https://www.wtmec.com/

WT 7” TFT-LCD HMI Solution

 
 

Videos

Capacitive Touch Solutions

Modernize controls into touch button HMIs from security and entry-systems, to elevators and smart home appliances, and so much more with Renesas’ capacitive touch solutions.