Atmel’s maXTouch T controllers power Asus touchscreens

Asus has selected Atmel’s recently launched mXT2952T and mXT1664T controllers to power the touchscreens of multiple new tablets and Ultrabooks – including the Zenbook Infinity which is based on Intel’s Haswell processor.

Part of Atmel’s latest generation maXTouchT Series, the mXT2952T is the world’s first ultra low-power single chip touchscreen controller for 15.6” displays, while the mXT1664T targets displays up to 12.5”.

“Our new maXTouch T Series controllers feature adaptive sensing architecture designed to combine processor intelligence, along with mutual and self capacitance,” a senior Atmel marketing manager told Bits & Pieces.

“This architecture seamlessly transitions into the best mode in real-time to enable superior touch and active stylus performance in adverse environmental conditions, while minimizing overall power consumption.”

The marketing manager also noted that Atmel’s maXTouch T Series supports the active maXStylus, which offers users a more precise handwriting experience on their touchscreens. Meanwhile, additional features such as sensor hub management, smaller package size and native fine-line metal mesh support enable OEMs to develop sleeker form factors.

As previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, Atmel has been the world’s leading provider of mobile touch solutions for the last three years – positively impacting the way people use and interact with electronic products.

“If you think about the most common electronic device today, a cell phone or smartphone, people use touch technology to interact with it. Today, touch is generally considered to be the preferred way for people to interface or interact with electronic devices,” Atmel President and CEO Steve Laub told the Wall Street Transcript during a recent interview.

“A key goal for us is to enhance our leading position in the capacitive touch market. In 2012, for the third year in a row, we were the leader in the mobile capacitive touch marketplace. We are powering millions of tablets and smartphones, and we want to continue our leadership position [in a] very rapidly changing, dynamic marketplace.”

Atmel’s maXTouch S series heads outdoors with Ocular

Atmel’s maXTouch S is heading to the great outdoors with Ocular LCD’s PCAP touch panels. Designed specifically for outdoor and marine applications, these Crystal Touch panels are non-birefringent and immune to false touches caused by water spray and droplets.

Water droplets, especially saltwater, can cause false touches on projected capacitive touch panels, which may be dangerous in certain situations. However, Ocular’s rugged PCAP design, powered by Atmel’s maXTouch S technology, enables touch panels to identify and disregard unintended touches caused by water droplets and spray, all while maintaining accurate touch functionality.

It should probably be noted that birefringence is also an issue when it comes to using devices outdoors. Known as the “rainbow effect,” birefringence occurs most often with polarized sunglasses. As such, Ocular designs projected capacitive touch panels that are non-birefringent, enabling optimized optical qualities with polarized sunglasses or cover glass.

“Atmel’s maXTouch S series controllers deliver better linearity, increased signal-to-noise ratio and excellent noise immunity for Ocular’s PCAP line of touch panels,” said Jon Kiachian, vice president of touch marketing, Atmel Corporation. “Users experience better touch performance and responsiveness for Ocular’s large touchscreen displays for outdoor and marine applications.”

As previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, Atmel’s maXTouch S lineup features intelligent touch processing algorithms, noise suppression, high responsiveness, pinpoint precision and sensor hub technology that fuses together input from motion-processing sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers.

The technology can also be used to build a highly responsive, high-fidelity touch experience in mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and Windows 8 Ultrabooks – even in the most punishing noise environments.

Atmel clinches Best Partner Award from Asus

Atmel has received the Asus 2012 Best Partner Award from the industry heavyweight for its extensive product lineup and comprehensive technical support.

“We are pleased to award Atmel with one of our 2012 Best Partner Awards,” said Ricky Tzeng, Purchasing Vice President, Asus. “Atmel has continued to provide outstanding products, along with excellent customer and technical support to ensure we meet our specific new product design requirements for touch controller products.”

According to Tzeng, Atmel’s commitment to Asus is “widely evident,” with Atmel’s end-to-end support helping the company launch a variety of Microsoft Windows 8 mobile products without any delays.

Meanwhile, Richard Lin, Vice President of Asia Pacific, Atmel, said the corporation was honored to receive such a prestigious award from Asus.

“Atmel has a long history of providing some of the most innovative products on the market and to providing exceptional customer support,” he stated. “We look forward to collaborating with Asus on future designs.”

It should be noted that Asus recently selected Atmel’s XSense touch sensor and MaXTouch technology for a number of its flagship tablets.

As of February 2013, Windows 8 tablets and Ultrabooks featuring maXTouch technology included the Asus Vivo Tab, Vivo Tab RT, X202E, S400, and S56, Bluebird’s Pidion BP80 tablet, Dell’s XPS10, XPS 12 Convertible Touch Ultrabook and Inspiron 15z, Fujitsu’s Arrows Tab QH55, HP’s Envy, Envy X2, and Spectre XT TouchSmart Ultrabook, Lenovo’s Think Pad Tablet 2 and X230, LG’s H160 and Z160 Tab-Books, Samsung’s ATIV Tab RT, Series 5 Slate, and Series 7 Slate, and Toshiba’s 925t.

Recent smartphone introductions with maXTouch inside include Samsung’s I9105 Galaxy S II Plus, SCH-W889, and GT-B9388, Nokia’s Lumia 510 and 620, Kyocera’s Digno S, Sharp’s Aquos SH930W, Fujitsu’s F-03E Arrows Kiss, Gionee’s GN700W, Meizu’s MX2 and Xiaomi’s MI2.