Freescale Semiconductor Ltd : Freescale Expands Xtrinsic Touch-Sensing Software Portfolio for Next-Generation Human-Machine Interfaces

Capacitive touch-sensing software 3.0 provides feature-rich updates and robust microcontroller functionality without incremental cost

Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL) is extending its Xtrinsic touch-sensing software (TSS) portfolio with a robust, flexible solution that provides added microcontroller (MCU) functionality without increasing system cost. New features include water tolerance, noise detection* and a touch-detection algorithm for reduced false touches under electrical noise.

TSS 3.0 is the latest addition to Freescale's growing portfolio of touch-sensing software for button replacement in industrial, medical, consumer and auto infotainment applications. Building on the successful TSS library, it offers a comprehensive solution with complementary licensed software and cost-effective development tools. Simplified user interfaces mean customers are able to develop an application within minutes using a broad range of tools and demonstration software, with minimal cost and effort.

"The latest release of our touch-sensing software comes with feature-rich updates that provide robust functionality for more of Freescale's microcontrollers," said Geoff Lees, vice president and general manager of Freescale's Industrial & Multi-Market MCU business. "Cost-effective integration allows customers to use TSS 3.0 to transform their designs with next-generation human-machine interfaces, without increasing system cost."

Reliable touch detection provides extremely high sensitivity with very low capacitance measurement resolution, offering a highly accurate and robust solution. With TSS 3.0, the user can define the sensitivity level, or auto-sensitivity calibration (ASC) will do it based on noise level analysis. TSS 3.0 is immune to droplets of water and able to distinguish touch on the electrodes even when the electrodes are covered with a water film.

In addition, TSS 3.0 works with Freescale's touch-sensing input (TSI) module, which is embedded into several hardware platforms, to provide better touch detection. The library provides commonly used touch-sensing decoding structures, such as keypad, rotary and slider, to allow upgrades from mechanical to touch-activated interfaces.

Since introducing the first version of Xtrinsic touch-sensing software in 2009, Freescale continues to build its TSS portfolio, which now supports hundreds of Freescale MCUs including TSI-enabled HCS08 devices, ColdFire+ MCUs and Kinetis MCU families built on the ARM^® Cortex?-M4 processor.

Xtrinsic touch-sensing software transforms any standard MCU into a touch sensor with the ability to manage multiple configurations of touch pads, sliders, rotary positions and mechanical keys, all while maintaining standard MCU functionality. Touch sensing helps increase product lifetimes by eliminating mechanical wear and tear associated with buttons and switches, while minimizing system cost by saving an extra IC in the design.

Availability

For more information about Freescale's touch-sensing software library and tools and to download TSS 3.0, visit www.freescale.com/touchsensing.

The TWRPITSS-SLIDERS kit is available for a suggested resale price of $79 (USD) and the TWRPITSS-SHIELD kit is available for a suggested resale price of $69 (USD) as well as development kits for Kinetis and ColdFire+ MCUs using Freescale's proprietary FreeMASTER real-time debug monitor and data visualization tool. TSS directly supports the FreeMASTER GUI, which enables customers to see what is inside their MCU and debug, adjust or calibrate the TSS algorithm accordingly.

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A proven leader in sensing solutions

Expanding on its more than 30-year heritage of sensor innovation, Freescale's Xtrinsic sensing solutions are designed with the right combination of high-performance sensing capability, processing capacity and customizable software to help deliver smart, differentiated sensing applications. With Xtrinsic sensing solutions, Freescale's vision is to offer a diverse and differentiated product portfolio to meet the expanding needs of the automotive, consumer and industrial segments. Xtrinsic solutions offer distinct blends of functionality and intelligence designed to help customers differentiate and win in highly competitive markets.

About the Freescale Technology Forum

Created to drive innovation and collaboration, the Freescale Technology Forum (FTF) has become one of the developer events of the year for the embedded systems industry. The Forum has drawn more than 48,000 attendees at FTF events worldwide since its inception in 2005. The 2012 FTF India event takes place Aug. 23-24 in Bengaluru.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) is a global leader in embedded processing solutions, providing industry-leading products that are advancing the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. From microprocessors and microcontrollers to sensors, analog integrated circuits and connectivity - our technologies are the foundation for the innovations that make our world greener, safer, healthier and more connected. Some of our key applications and end-markets include automotive safety, hybrid and all-electric vehicles, next generation wireless infrastructure, smart energy management, portable medical devices, consumer appliances and smart mobile devices.

The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing and sales operations around the world. www.freescale.com

*Noise detection is scheduled to be available later this year.

Freescale, the Freescale logo and Kinetis are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. ColdFire+ and Xtrinsic are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. ARM is the registered trademark of ARM Limited. Cortex is the trademark of ARM Limited. © 2012 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

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