Next-generation PCT™ controller from Zytronic offers designers even greater flexibility for integrated touchscreen solutions

The new controller is implemented in a microcontroller unit from STMicroelectronics, and provides a wide range of flexible features including on-chip or two-wire serial communications, flash program memory, and 16 programmable logic cells.

The microcontroller is built around an 8051-class CPU core, which delivers proven performance and enables Zytronic to quickly introduce future software enhancements. The on-chip communication ports not only enable Zytronic to offer a number of configurations to ease integration in to customer system architectures but also offer the option to remotely apply updates to the firmware in the future. This allows units in the field to be updated cost-effectively, as often as necessary, without requiring a site visit by maintenance staff.

Zytronic’s family of PCT-based touch sensors - which includes ZYTOUCH®, ZYBRID™ and ZYPOS® - use an array of sensing wires embedded within a glass or plastic layered laminated screen. ZYPOS touch sensors have fewer assembly processes than ZYTOUCH but offer all the inherent benefits such as drift-free operation, vandal-resistance, and operation with a gloved hand. Performance will remain unaffected by surface contaminants, harsh cleaning agents and extreme weather conditions.

ZYPOS, unlike ZYTOUCH sensors, are therefore particularly well-suited to higher volume, cost-critical touchscreen-based applications, such as retail and gaming.