Atmel looks back at Q1 2014 wins and launches

Yesterday, Atmel execs detailed the company’s Q1 2014 highlights. Key launches, collaborative projects and product wins spanned multiple markets, including:

Winning with maXTouch (smartphones) – LG’s G Pro 2, G2 Mini and L Series 3 L90; Verizon’s Lucid 3, Xiaomi’s RedRice 5.5″, Gionee’s Elife S5.5 and ZTE’s Grand S Lite.

Winning with maXTouch (Android and Windows 8 tablets) – Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 4 10.1,” Galaxy Tab 12.2,” Galaxy Note 12.2″ and HP’s EliteBook 1000 G2.

Collaborating with Corning – Developing ultra-thin, next-generation capacitive touchscreens using Gorilla Glass and XSense.

Working with Mentor Graphics – Accelerating development of next-gen IoT devices using Atmel’s ARM-based Cortex M3 and M4 based microcontrollers under the auspices of the Embedded Nucleus Innovate Program.

Launching maXTouch 1066T and 1068T – Extending product leadership in the large screen capacitive touch market with devices targeted at 7″ – 8.9″ high performance tablets.

Introducing the new automotive maXTouch S lineup – Targeting touchscreens up to 14″ in center consoles, navigation systems, radio interfaces and rear-seat entertainment systems.

Debuting the SmartConnect platform – Integrating Atmel’s ultra-low power microcontrollers (MCUs) and wireless connectivity solutions into turnkey solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Introducing new low-power ARM Cortex M0+ microcontrollers (SAM D21, D10 and D11) – Offering Atmel’s peripheral event system, support for capacitive touch button, slider and wheel user interfaces, multiple serial communications modules, along with a full-speed USB interface, as well as additional pin and memory combinations.

Unveiling new $79 SAMA5D3 Xplained evaluation kit – Providing a low-cost, fast prototyping and evaluation platform for microprocessor-based design built around Atmel’s SAMA5D3 ARM Cortex-A5 processor-based MPU.

Xplaining 8-bit development– Offering a development board for Makers and engineers based on Atmel’s 8-bit AVR technology.

Launching the ATPL230A – Introducing a Power Line Communications (PLC) modem designed to implement the physical layer of the PRIME standard (Power Line Intelligent Metrology Evolution).

Rolling out Atmel Studio 6.2 – Upgrading the popular integrated development environment for Atmel AVR and ARM based microcontrollers.

Ramping up with LIN – Extending Atmel’s automotive in-vehicle networking leadership position with the launch of next-generation, low-power local interconnect networking (LIN) systems.

125 new core 32-bit MCU products in 2013

Did you know that Atmel introduced over 125 new core 32-bit microcontroller products during 2013? 

Specifically, we launched a new family of ARM Cortex-M4-based ultra-low power microcontrollers for sensor hub and battery-operated consumer applications.

In addition, the company expanded its family of ARM Cortex-A5 microprocessors with smaller packaging and extended temperature range for wearables, industrial, automotive and medical applications.

Meanwhile, Windows 8.1 designs featuring Atmel’s flagship maXTouch included the ASUS Vivo Tab Note 8, Toshiba Encore WT8, Nokia’s Lumia 2520, HP Omni 10 5600us tablet, HP EliteBook Revolve 810 G2, Lenovo ThinkPad 8, LG Electronics Tab-Book H160 and Z160.

Additional milestones?

• Turtle Beach selected Atmel’s ultra-low power Wi-Fi system-on-chip solution for the i60 and Z300 EarForce media headset products.
• maXTouch chosen for Sony’s new PlayStation 4.
• New Samsung Smart TV remote control touch powered by maXTouch.
• Atmel’s AvantCar concept, a futuristic automotive center console featuring maXTouch, XSense, LIN transceivers and 8-bit AVR microcontrollers, showcased at CES 2014.

Plus, Atmel’s next-gen XSense is currently shipping in both the HP Omni 10 5600us tablet and HP EliteBook Revolve 810 G2. As we’ve previously reported on Bits & Pieces, touch screen developer Carclo recently told the Yorkshire Post it is well positioned to meet the requirements for the expected ramp up in XSense.

This week, Carclo confirmed “Atmel’s growth expectations and increase in customer design activity in its XSense business” was positive news for its Inkjet Technology business, which provides the coated film technology.

Atmel’s XSense can perhaps best be described as a high-performance, highly flexible touch sensor which allows engineers to design devices with curved surfaces and functionality along product edges. Based on a proprietary roll-to-roll metal mesh technology, XSense touch sensors provide a clear alternative to existing touch sensors. Simply put, manufacturers can now build light-weight, sleek, edgeless smartphones, tablets and other touch-enabled devices with extremely versatile form factors.

Additional key XSense specs include:

• Highly accurate stylus performance (active or passive)
• Support for larger touchscreens
• Flexibility – for curved surfaces
• Narrow border – for larger active screen areas
• Narrow bond area – for optimized device reliability
• Low sheet resistance for better noise immunity and lower power

Interested in learning more? You can find additional information about Atmel’s XSense technology here.

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.

2013 CES, Here We Come!

Ultra HD TVs. Windows 8 tablets. Large-screen smartphones. Bendable screens. These are just a few of the new gadgets that promise to fill the booths at the Las Vegas Convention Center next week. It’s time for the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

This is an exciting period not just for the OEMs that are producing these gadgets, but also for the companies behind many of the underlying technologies that are making these gadgets possible. Take microcontrollers (MCUs), for example. Microcontrollers are powering many of the world’s smart, connected devices. Some studies have revealed that on a given day–at work, home and play–we’re likely to interact with as many as 150 MCUs in the digital devices and systems that we use. It’s the spread of The Internet of Things, and MCUs are right at the core.

At CES, Atmel will host a meeting room where customers can see demos of MCUs and other products and meet with Atmel Technology Experts and executives. To schedule a meeting, contact your local sales rep or email events@atmel.com. In addition, CES attendees can see our ZigBee Light Link and Wireless Composer/Sniffer solutions in the ZigBee Pavilion; our meeting room will feature a selection of other wireless solutions.

From our microcontroller portfolio, we’ll be showcasing demos including:

• Ultra-low power SAM4L MCUs, our newest ARM Cortex-M4 processor-based devices
• AVR XMEGA E MCUs, using its asynchronous event system on a 6-string LED board
• An ARM processor-based embedded microprocessor that powers an in-home health monitor

With the dazzling array of touch-based products that typically fill the CES show floor, Atmel is excited to be behind many of the technologies that give these products their distinct capabilities. The newest touchscreen controllers in our maXTouch S Series are Windows 8 certified, feature integrated sensor hub technology and support screen sizes up to 17.3″. At CES, we’ll demo sensor hub technology on a Windows 8 tablet.

We are also excited to share the newest demos of our XSense flexible touch sensors. These demos highlight some key features of XSense for smartphones, tablets and other industrial designs: narrow borders, support for curved surfaces, support for larger touchscreens.

We look forward to meeting many of you at 2013 CES!