Capacitive sensing MCUs target HMI applications

Silicon Labs (Austin, TX) introduced energy-efficient capacitive sensing microcontrollers (MCUs) for human-machine interfaces (HMI). The new C8051F97x MCU family combines the company’s ultra-low-power technology with fast, accurate capacitive sensing to provide a desirable touch control solution for the Internet of Things, home/building automation, consumer and industrial markets. The F97x MCUs target battery-powered and capacitive touch sensing applications for handheld industrial devices, toys, gaming machines and remote controls, as well as touch-panel switch replacements for white goods such as washers, dryers, ovens and dishwashers. Silicon Labs’ F97x MCUs are said to offer the industry’s lowest energy consumption in active, sleep and deep-sleep modes, enabling the longest battery life of any 8-bit capacitive sensing MCUs. With 200 μA/MHz active current, the F97x MCUs provide a combination of low energy consumption and exceptional system performance. The MCUs’ two-microsecond wake time minimizes energy consumption while transitioning from sleep to active mode. The F97x MCUs offer 55 nA sleep current with brownout detector enabled and 280 nA sleep current with a 16.4 kHz internal oscillator. The MCU’s capacitive sensing technology includes:

• Sub-micro-amp (<1 μA) wake-on-touch average current.
• 16-bit resolution.
• 100:1 dynamic range to support buttons, sliders, wheels, and capacitive proximity sensing with up to 43 channels and multiple scanning modes.

For more information, visit www.silabs.com

Silicon Labs, Inc. is a leading provider of networking, software and system solutions for the Internet of Things, Internet infrastructure, industrial control, consumer electronics and automotive markets. We solve the toughest problems in the electronics industry, providing customers with significant performance advantages, energy savings, connectivity and design simplicity. Backed by our world-class engineering team's expertise in software and mixed-signal design, Silicon Labs helps developers deliver the tools and technologies they need to move quickly and easily from initial ideas to final products.

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