QTouch Lighting

For Atmel QTouch and QMatrix Technologies

[QT_Lighting_v05_20091129.doc, Paul Russell, Atmel QRG FAE
These are guidelines only. Actual requirements and performance may vary depending on panel construction, items behind panel, connection length, noise sources, etc.
QT Electrodes often require lit indicators or backlighting. Here are shown several techniques that may be used. Some are untested.
It is the customers responsibility to check for any ownership, patent, or other conflicts when using any of these ideas. Atmel only provides the ICs.
In all cases it is recommended that you thoroughly test your design to ensure there are no issues with Touch Detection or other design aspects.

A) LEDs near Electrode Signals may require decoupling capacitors.

It is recommended to place a capacitor footprint on PCB for each LED, and determine
if population is needed by testing effect of LED ON/OFF switching on Touch Detection.

10nF
Drive

Drive

Refer to QRG AppNote: [AN-KD02_103-TOUCH_SECRETS.PDF]

Double Sided PCB:
B) Direct View LED on Touch PCB
Bottom
SMT LED is type Top Down / Reverse Mount
Top

Panel
PCB

Single Sided PCB:

Bottom
Top

Panel
PCB

SMT LED
TM

C) Philipp

Spring

For additional info refer to QRG AppNote

[AN-KD03_101-SPRINGS.PDF]
PhilippTM Spring is patented, but may be used
free of charge with touch in AVR or QT ICs.

D) LEDs behind QT PCB

TM

Philipp
LED

Electrode

PCB

D2) Diffused Light through area of No Resist on PCB

QTouch Electrode Cost Down: No separate
No Resist on PCB
diffusion film or coating
QMatrix Electrode use thin white PCB
such as a thin CEM1
No Resist on PCB

QTouch Electrode
Hole
QMatrix Electrode

LEDPCB

Hole

E)

F)

Topdown/Reverse

PhilippTM Spring
compressed
onto clear Panel

Panel
Spring

D1) Light through hole in Electrode

Panel
Sensor PCB

SMT LED

Topdown/Reverse

Electrode

10nF

QT with Film Electrodes or Electrodes Printed on Inside of Panel

Panel
Panel
Ink
Transparent Electrodes using ITO, PEDOT, etc.
Spring
Film
Spring
PCB
May also be used over displays (LCD, OLED)
PCB
Longer connections should be narrow silver traces, as long resistive traces may suffer crosstalk, and wide traces may detect touch.
To connect to PCB: FPC Tail, Zebra Strip, spring contacts, etc. For flexible inks like Silver and PEDOT the tail may be integral part of film.
QT with LightGuides
- Option: Multicolour Enhancement: Refer to Japan Patent 2005-189722
Graphic Printing and Light Blocking

SMT Sideview LEDs

LightGuide Graphics: White or Colour Matched to LEDs

Panel
LightGuide
PCB (Single or Double Sided)

G) QT Angle Mounting

- For additional info refer to QRG Design Note [QT_AngleMounting_v00a.pdf]

Option: Ground Shield

Air Gap
Not to scale

LEDs
H) QT Edge Mounting
Panel

Mounting Option: Formed Chassis Supports

Option: Conductive Ink (Electrode Extensions)

Panel
PCB (Bend against Panel ensures no air
Electrodes (on Touch Side of PCB)
PCB Supports (push PCB against Panel)

- Option: Refer to Japan Patent 2005-190950

SMT Sideview LEDs
PCB (Single or Double Sided)

Electrode (Single or Double Sided)

Locate non-QT electronics far

behind Electrodes (i.e. LEDs).
PCB as light barrier allows dual
icon on double function electrodes.

(Not to Scale)

Mounting Option: Slide in PCB

with shaped locking springs
(Not to Scale)

Mounting Option: Shaped PCB

Springs push PCB against Panel
(Not to Scale)

Mounting Option: Slide in PCB

with shaped locking springs
(Not to Scale)

I) Cup Reflectors

- Provides diffuse illumination, use with Electrode Patterns as in above item (D)

Reflector clips onto PCB (Requires notches in panel for Reflector Hooks)

Reflector clips behind LEDs allowing smooth Panel
Panel
PCB
Hole
Reflector
SMT TopView LED
J) EL Backlighting

Panel
PCB
Hole
Reflector
SMT TopView LED

- SegmELTM Segmented EL Backlighting by Sekonic www.h-sekonic.co.jp , use with Electrode Patterns as in above item (E)

Panel
Touch Electrode
EL Film

K) Many more options, experiment with new styles and variations of above.

EL Ground (= Touch Shield)

EL Colours
EL Drive Signals

EL provides thin
smooth backlighting