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PRODUCT SHOWCASE The smallest automotive maXTouch controllers from Microchip To help enhance today’s driving experience, automotive manufacturers are adding multiple touch displays. Supporting these secondary displays with advanced features, Microchip Technology announced the extension of its market-leading maXTouch portfolio with the new MXT288UD touch controller family – the industry’s smallest automotive grade packaged touch screen controllers. The MXT288UD-AM & MXT144UDAM devices offer a low-power mode, weatherproof operation and glove touch detection in multi-function displays, touch pad and smart surfaces for vehicles, motorcycles, e-bikes and car-sharing services. These touch surfaces can be placed in both the interior and exterior of a motor vehicle, such as handlebars, doors, electronic mirrors, steering wheel, between seats etc. With the MXT288UD’s small 7x7mm VQFN56 package, tier one suppliers can now reduce board space by 75% and greatly minimise the overall Bill of Materials (BoM) – all while exceeding the requirements for excellent and reliable touch performance. The family’s low-power wait-for- touch mode consumes less than 50µA, remaining responsive for the user, even if the display switches off to save power or to avoid disturbing the driver at night – a touch event anywhere on the touch surface will wake the system up. In addition, the MXT288UD-AM & MXT144UD-AM enable detection and tracking of gloves through a wide variety of overlay materials and thicknesses, like leather, wood or across uneven surfaces – even in the presence of moisture. For example, in car sharing applications, this functionality helps users access a car from the outside by tracking touch coordinates on an exterior display in any environment, from rain to snow or extreme heat. As a turnkey solution, the MXT288UD family provides proven firmware, developed according to Automotive SPICE processes and is AECQ100 qualified. This makes it easy for automotive manufacturers to integrate into existing systems at a lower risk and faster time to market. Microchip Technology Inc. Unit 32, 41 Rawson Street Epping 2121 NSW Tel: (02) 9868 6733 www.microchip.com Staying safe in the workplace using FLIR Thermal Imagers Thermal imaging cameras cannot detect or diagnose an infection. However, FLIR thermal cameras are an effective tool to measure skin temperature and identify individuals with Elevated Body Temperature (EBT). FLIR thermal cameras enable the screening of people with EBT that might indicate illness. People who are suspected of an EBT must then be screened by professionals for diagnosis of any medical condition. FLIR thermal cameras detect heat radiation and can be used to identify the surface temperature of objects and people. With this capability, FLIR thermal cameras are commonly used as a non-contact screening tool to detect differences in skin surface temperatures and pattern changes. The IEC states that the inner eye is the best area for body temperature siliconchip.com.au readings due to it being over an important artery. FLIR’s cameras “see” or detect the temperature differences with temperature measurements between -20°C to +2000°C across their range of Thermal Imaging Cameras. Some FLIR cameras include a screening mode (below) that provides an alarm when a person is detected to have an elevated temperature. Activating the screening mode will turn on a measurement box and screening data on the camera’s screen: 1) Sampled average temperature 2) Alarm temperature 3) Measured temperature The alarm will trigger when the measurement box measures a temperature higher than the provided alarm temperature. In order to obtain a good temperature reading, it is recommended that the intended target be as close to the camera as possible. Therefore, distance to the target is an important consideration, as is focus. Rapid Tech Equipment is a FLIR Premium Sales Channel Partner. Rapid-Tech Equipment Pty Ltd Tel: 1800 358 531 Website: www.rapid-tech.com.au/flir/ Australia’s electronics magazine September 2020  85