STMicroelectronics Launches First Product in QST Family

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), among the world leaders in 8- and 32-bit microcontrollers for embedded applications, today announced that it has signed a license agreement with Quantum Research Group (QRG Ltd., UK) - the world's leading supplier of capacitive touch-sensing technology. The agreement will enable ST to extend its broad 8-bit and 32-bit microcontroller families by embedding QRG's QProx™ sensing technologies, to provide intelligent single-chip control interfaces that respond to users' touch. ST is the first MCU manufacturer to license QProx technology and the Company will call its microcontrollers using the touch-sensing technology 'QST.'

Touch-sensitive controls are widely and increasingly replacing electromechanical switches in home appliances, consumer and mobile electronics, and in computers and peripherals. Capacitive touch controls allow designers to create stylish, functional, and economical designs which are highly valued by consumers, often at lower cost points than the electromechanical solutions they replace. This technology also allows the easy creation of sealed, backlit sensing surfaces.

Integrating the sensing technology into an MCU enables manufacturers to dramatically reduce touch-panel costs by allowing designers to incorporate multiple secondary functions, such as LCD display or specific communication interfaces into the MCU, in addition to the touch function. In many cases the MCU is powerful enough to control the complete application as well as handling the touch sensing. ST expects to announce a range of touch-sensing QST MCUs over the coming months, operating from a range of supply voltages.

Quantum's patented and field-proven charge-transfer ("QProx") capacitive technology is more stable and more tolerant of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) over temperature and humidity variations than any other form of capacitive sensing. The technologies have been tested to 125 degrees C and over 200V/m immunity at mobile-phone frequencies.

ST has licensed both types of QProx technology: QTouch and QMatrix. Both approaches suit the broad range of applications using buttons, touch wheels and sliders. The QTouch method allows users to create simple touch panels of up to 12 keys, by using a single capacitor connected to two pins of the MCU for each key. In contrast, QMatrix allows for high key counts in small packages, such as using only 14 pins to sense up to 24 keys, because of the underlying X-Y capacitive scanning matrix, the only commercial matrix sensor in existence, today; Both technologies can create button-based touch screens using clear films over LCD screens. Using spare processing capacity, QST chips can drive LEDs, drive touch-feedback devices and switch mechanical signals.

QST-enabled control panels can range from 0.2mm to over 10mm thick, making them ideal for space-constrained applications. The QST technology also incorporates advanced processing techniques such as drift compensation, auto-calibration, noise filtering, and Quantum's patented Adjacent Key Suppression (AKS) to ensure maximum useability and control integrity. QST users can also enjoy the benefit of a range of panel construction methods pioneered and patented by Quantum.

"QProx is ideally suited to straightforward integration into a broad selection of ST's MCUs, from the robust and low-cost 8-bit devices up to the high-performance 32-bit ARM-based products," said Jim Nicholas, General Manager of ST's Microcontroller Division. "The multifunction capability of MCU-based touch interfaces is a major advantage compared to ASIC and dedicated solutions."

Hal Philipp, founder and CEO of Quantum stated, "We are certainly delighted to welcome ST as a licensee of our core touch-sensing technologies. This all-digital technology uniquely allows ST to gain a rapid foothold in the emerging touch-control market. This proven technology has been forged over a 10-year period and has gained universal acceptance in all 'tough' applications such as industrial controls, kitchen appliances, aerospace, and automotive systems, with literally thousands of design wins and 10's of millions of chips sold. This robustness has been recognized by all the top mobile phone makers, where Quantum's technology is the sensing method of choice."