Capacitive touch sensor (theory)
Input capacitance
The image above explain input capacitance and shows, what items are significant. Overal input capacitance is sum of
touch pad capacitance, connection wire capacitance and optional input capacitor (10pF in the figure).
Static values are automatically compensated and capacitance variations are converted to frequency changes.
Further detection is based on special algorithm that use time division and multiple frequency. There is also
built in automatic compensation, that eliminate temperature and humidity changes. To work properly in RF noise,
sensors have advanced digital filtering stage. This ensures reliable function.
Finger acts as conductor put over touch pad and GND plane, input capacitance significantly arises
When finger is out of touch pad, input capacitance is lower than if finger is near touch pad. This is monitored by
touch sensor and as soon as capacitance change with time match pattern that define „touch”, sensor output is activated.
Sensitivity is adjustable parameter. Simple devices have special control pin, that can be used to set input sensitivity
to low, middle or high level. I2C controlled devices has special registers, where can be set sensitivity as well as
other parameters.
Some sensors can even detect touch intensity. For example TSM12 can detect intensity in three steps. Application then
may respond by small (f.e. volume) change to soft touch and by high volume change to hard touch.
Relative permittivity of some substances
Substance | εr |
Vacuum | 1 |
Air | 1,000 59 |
Expanded polystyrene | 1,03 |
Wood | 2,04 - 7,3 |
Amber | 2,6 - 2,8 |
Plexiglass | 3,4 |
Glass | 3,8 - 19 |
FR-4 | 4,5 |
Ice | 4,8 |
Porcelain | 5,5 - 6,5 |
NaCl (monocrystalline) | 5,9 |
Marble | 7 - 8 |
Silicon | 11,7 |
Germanium | 16 - 16,4 |
Water | 81 |
For more application circuits and component explanation see detail documentation available on our web.
How_to_buy (touchSEMI - Simple way to your favorite devices) Info (touchSEMI - Capacitive touch and proximity sensors) Simple_circuits (Basic wiring diagrams of capacitive touch sensors) Design_rules (Design rules for capacitive touch sensors) Application_fields (Applications of Capacitive Touch Sensors, Modules and Comparators) Theory_of_operation (Principle of capacitive touch sensors) Touch_sensors (Capacitive touch sensors, Capacitive sensor modules, Capacitance comparator)
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