Development Modules support HMIs with capacitive touch.
Press Release Summary:
Measuring 106.7 x 68.6 mm, Model VM801B offers choice of 5 or 4.3 in. display, plus integrated projected capacitive touchscreen and fitted, plastic bezel. Module also includes audio power amplifier, micro speaker unit, and real-time clock. With same features and size format, Model VM801P adds built-in ATMEGA328P Flash-based microcontroller, which operates at 16 MHz and enables module to act as fully integrated, stand-alone display system. Both modules' touchscreens support 1–5 touch points.
Original Press Release:
FTDI Chip Introduces EVE Platforms Supporting Development of HMIs with Capacitive Touch
FTDI Chip has further enlarged the portfolio of development modules accompanying its award-winning Embedded Video Engine (EVE) technology - which has helped revolutionise how human machine interfaces (HMIs) are implemented thanks to its innovative object-oriented approach. These latest EVE platforms are targeted at the creation of intelligent display systems using capacitive touch and are based on the FT801 EVE chip released earlier this year. Both of the new modules’ touchscreens are able support from 1 to 5 independent touch points (thus allowing determination of a wide variety of different gestures; rotations, swipes, pinches, zooms, etc.). They can source power at 5V via their 2.1mm power jack, USB Micro-B port or SPI master connector. Alternatively they can be linked to a 3.3V supply via their I2C interface.
The VM801B (where B refers to Basic) is a compact (106.7mm x 68.6mm) development module with a choice of a 5” or 4.3” display, plus an integrated projected capacitive touchscreen and a fitted, plastic bezel (in a choice of black or pearl finishes). Also included in this module are an audio power amplifier, a micro speaker unit and a real time clock (RTC).
The VM801P (where P signifies Plus) has exactly the same size format and all the same features as the VM801B, but on top of that boasts a built-in ATMEGA328P Flash-based microcontroller. This microcontroller (which operates at 16MHz) allows all the necessary data processing to be taken care of and means the module acts as a fully integrated, stand-alone display system which is compatible with the Arduino open source ecosystem. The module is backed by a comprehensive set of Arduino libraries. Its Micro-SD socket can be used for storing application data. A 4GByte SD card packed with useful application examples comes with the module, enabling engineers to get started on their HMI designs straight away. The recently announced Plus board daughter cards can also be made use of - thereby expanding the scope of what engineers can achieve.
The pioneering EVE technology incorporated into the two new modules addresses the display, audio and touch functions. Since it treats images, fonts, sounds, etc. as objects, it dispenses with the large Flash memories, frame buffers and separate audio/touch controllers required by conventional intelligent display solutions, thus lowering bill of materials costs, reducing the board real estate that needs to be allocated and shortening development times.
“Our EVE platforms are already proving very attractive to engineers, allowing them to quickly prototype sophisticated HMI implementations with the minimum of additional resources. With these two new offerings, it is now possible to make use of capacitive touchscreens - benefiting from their greater robustness and the multi-touch operation they deliver,” says Fred Dart, CEO and Founder of FTDI Chip. “The VM801B Basic board is complemented by the VM801P Plus board through which they can tap into the extraordinary popularity of Arduino.”
For more information on these products visit:
www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_VM801B.pdf
www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_VM801PXXA.pdfÂ
About FTDI Chip
FTDI Chip develops innovative silicon solutions that enhance interaction with today’s technology. Through application of its “Design Made Easy” ethos, the company is able to support engineers with highly sophisticated, feature-rich, robust and simple-to-use product platforms. These enable creation of electronic designs with higher performance, fewer peripheral components, lower power budgets and diminished board real estate.
FTDI Chip’s long-established, continuously expanding Universal Serial Bus (USB) product line boasts such universally recognized product brands as the ubiquitous R-Chip, X-Chip, Vinculum, and H-series. As well as host and bridge chips, it includes highly-integrated system solutions with built-in microcontroller functionality. The company’s Embedded Video Engine (EVE) graphic controllers each pack display, audio and touch functionality onto a single chip. The unique, more streamlined approach utilised by these ICs allows dramatic reductions in the development time and bill-of-materials costs involved in next generation Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) implementation. FTDI Chip also provides families of highly differentiated, speed-optimised microcontrollers with augmented connectivity features. These application oriented controllers (AOCs) are targeted at key areas where they add value via their elevated processing performance and increased operational efficiency.
FTDI Chip is a fab-less semiconductor company, partnered with the world’s leading foundries. The company is headquartered in Glasgow, UK, with research and development facilities located in Glasgow, Singapore and Taipei (Taiwan), plus regional sales and technical support sites in Glasgow, Taipei, Tigard (Oregon, USA) and Shanghai (China).
For more information go to http://www.ftdichip.com
For further information and reader enquiries:
Susan Glasgow - FTDI Chip
Unit 1, 2 Seaward Place
Centurion Business Park
Glasgow, G41 1HH, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 141 429 2777Â Â
Fax: +44 (0) 141 429 2758
E-mail: marketing@ftdichip.com
