Integrated e-Field Sensing Chip offers 12-channel capacity.
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Press Release Summary:
Designed for sensing presence or absence of motion, Model AD7103 40-pin ASIC achieves 16-bit resolution, which enables measurement down to 4 af/rtHz. Configuration features 3 discreet channels with 4 selectable inputs, allowing for 12 independent inputs. In full operational mode, device typically consumes 8.5 mA from 2.6-5.5V power supply. Single chip capacitive sensor includes onboard oscillator, ADC conversion, and serial peripheral interface.
Original Press Release:
New Ethertouch ASIC is the First Highly-Integrated, Low Power e-Field Sensing Chip With12-Channel Capacity
-- Innovative Capacitive Sensor Offers Significant Design and Manufacturing Benefits in 2-D/3-D Applications, Process Control and Other e-field Sensor Products --
CRANFORD, NJ, January 24, 2005 - Ethertouch Ltd., a fabless semiconductor company focused on next generation capacitance sensing chip technology, is introducing the first highly-integrated ASIC with 12-channel capability.
The Ethertouch AD7103 40-pin ASIC is designed specifically for sensing presence or absence of motion - especially human motion. Ethertouch is targeting several large consumer markets for the initial launch, although the 40-pin ASIC offers many features that are compelling for a wide range of industrial products and process control applications.
The AD7103 e-field (capacitance) sensing technology features specifications and design advantages that, depending on the application, will significantly enhance functionality, lower manufacturing costs and facilitate applications that are not currently possible in a small footprint device (LFCSP) (Lead Frame Chip Scale Package).
Key Specs:
Unique Multi-Channel Capacity - The AD7103 is the only 12-channel ASIC available today (3 independent channels with 4 inputs per channel). The configuration features three discreet channels with four selectable inputs, allowing for 12 independent inputs. This allows the use of multiple high bandwidth sensors of various functions to be integrated with a single chip.
16-Bit Resolution - The AD7103 achieves 16-bit resolution, which enables measurement down to 4af/rtHz. This enables the measurement of very small movements and/or changes even in the presence of large background signals.
Low Power - The AD7103 was designed specifically for mobile devices and consists of three independent channels, each of which can be powered down separately. Power management modes are available that reduce current consumption to below 10 micro amps. In full operational mode, the device typically consumes 8.5mA from a power supply between 2.6 and 5.5V. This enables the measurement of very small movements and/or changes even in the presence of large background signals.
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High Level of Integration - The AD7103 is a single chip, capacitive sensor complete with on-board oscillator, analog-to-digital (ADC) conversion and industry standard serial peripheral interface (SPI), all packaged in a 40-pin LFCSP (Lead Frame Chip Scale Package) ASIC. Such integration addresses a shortcoming in competitor products, which typically do not include ADC's or oscillators on board.
Virtual Ground Inputs - All inputs are at virtual ground, which eliminates the cross coupling (signal bleeding) between channels and enables the use of shielding without reducing signal strength.
Flexible, Easily Programmable Device - The AD7103 is highly adjustable in frequency, amplitude, phase and gain. This makes the device ideally suited to a wide range of complex applications.
Simplified Sensor Manufacturing - Sensors can be attached to the AD7103 that require a far lower level of manufacturing precision with the ASIC's superior measurement capabilities. Expensive sensors can be replaced with those of literally any low-cost, conductive material, including sprayed on conductors, wire, tape or filaments.
According to David Leis, V.P. of Sales and Marketing for Ethertouch, "The impact of our technology is far-reaching. We're able to ship a chip today that demonstrates a myriad of 3-D opportunities that companies have yet to be able to achieve in human interaction. As well, our chip will now improve touchpad, display and process control applications currently on the market.
The chip will drive down manufacturing costs in displays, touch pads and other applications using simpler sensors, and reduce sourcing costs for those components. Indeed, the technology is highly reliable, precise and easy to implement, providing unparalleled flexibility, versatility and quality in capacitive sensing applications."
Product designers will appreciate the inherent design flexibility this technology provides because the chip's high level of integration reduces component count and the simplicity of the sensors drastically cuts space requirements.
Wide-Ranging Applications
While new and exciting 3-D applications have already been demonstrated using the chip, Ethertouch is already working with major consumer electronic and cellular companies to provide immediate cost savings and superior functionality in 2-D designs.
Ethertouch is currently focusing on markets that can uniquely benefit from the low cost, low power and high-resolution advantages of its chip capacitance technology. These include cellular/mobile, PDA as well as sensor process control applications such as proximity, dielectric measurements, level, flow, pressure and instrumentation.
Ethertouch Samples and Application Evaluation Kit Now Available
Ethertouch has developed an Evaluation Kit to demonstrate the capabilities of the ASIC in the desired configuration for linear, 2-D or 3-D applications. The $495 kit contains the ASIC evaluation board, software tools, instructions and hardware to develop a prototype of specific applications. The kit may also be ordered from the web site or by calling 908-272-0114.
Ethertouch is also shipping quantities of the new AD7103 in quantities of 1,000 for $7.60 each. Minimum sample orders are 100 chips at $18.00 per unit.
About Ethertouch Ltd.
Ethertouch Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbus Nova Technology Group, which is headquartered in Cranford, N.J., and has offices in New York and South Africa. The parent company, Columbus Nova Technology Group, is a subsidiary of Columbus Nova L.L.C, the international venture capital and private investment firm that specializes in high technology early stage companies with unusual growth potential. For more information visit: www.ethertouch.com
