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MicroTouch Micro Touch Capacitive Controller MT3000 Reference Manual

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MT3000
Capacitive Controller
Reference Guide

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Summary of Contents for MicroTouch Micro Touch Capacitive Controller MT3000

  • Page 1 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide...
  • Page 2 The information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of MicroTouch Systems, Inc. MicroTouch may have patents or pending patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents About This Manual MicroTouch Support Services............5 MicroTouch Technical Support ..........5 MicroTouch on the World Wide Web........6 MicroTouch Corporate Headquarters and Worldwide Offices ..7 Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller Overview of the MT3000 Touchscreen Controller ...... 10 Mounting the MT3000 Controller..........
  • Page 4 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Calibrating the Touchscreen ..........22 Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Controller Default Settings ............24 Communication Parameters ........... 24 Data Format................24 Operating Mode ..............25 Communicating with the Controller ..........26 Sending Commands to the Controller........26 Receiving Responses from the Controller......

  • Page 5: About This Manual

    About This Manual This reference manual, directed to developers of touchscreen systems, provides installation and configuration information for the MicroTouch MT3000 capacitive touchscreen controller. This document includes information on integrating the MT3000 controller into your design, communicating with the controller, installing the TouchWare user interface software, and troubleshooting setup problems.

  • Page 6: Microtouch On The World Wide Web

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Whenever you contact Technical Support, please be ready to provide the following information: Part numbers of your controller and sensor Version number of your MicroTouch TouchWare Make and model of your personal computer Name and version number of your operating system Type of mouse connected to your system List of other peripherals connected to your system List of application software installed on your system...

  • Page 7: Microtouch Corporate Headquarters And Worldwide Offices

    About This Manual MicroTouch Corporate Headquarters and Worldwide Offices United States Italy MicroTouch Systems, Inc. MicroTouch Systems srl 300 Griffin Brook Park Drive C.so Milano, 19 Methuen, MA 01844 20052 Monza (MI) Italy United States Phone: +39 (0) 39-230-2230 Phone: 978-659-9000; Fax: 978-659-9100 Email: support@microtouch.it Web Site:...

  • Page 9: Chapter 1 Integrating The Mt3000 Controller

    Integrating the MT3000 Controller The MicroTouch MT3000 controller offers an economical, high performance solution for capacitive touch applications. Its compact design makes for easy integration into flat panel displays and mobile devices. The MT3000 controller works with all the leading operating systems and is backed by the MicroTouch guarantee of worldwide support.

  • Page 10: Overview Of The Mt3000 Touchscreen Controller

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Overview of the MT3000 Touchscreen Controller The MT3000 touchscreen controller and touchscreen are supplied as a matched set. A 25-point linearization procedure has been performed to determine the physical properties of the screen, and the data is stored in the NovRAM of the controller that ships with the screen.
  • Page 11 Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller 2.435" [61.85mm] 0.125" [3.18mm] LED1 0.125" 1.300" [3.18mm] [33.02mm] 0.125" [3.18mm] 0.125" [3.18mm] Figure 2 MT3000 Overall Dimensions To properly integrate and test the MT3000 controller, you need the following items: A MicroTouch capacitive touchscreen and MT3000, mated as a linearized set.

  • Page 12: Mounting The Mt3000 Controller

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Mounting the MT3000 Controller You can easily mount the MT3000 controller using standard 4-40 machine screws and washers through the two existing mounting holes. All the components and the connectors are mounted on the top side of the PC board to reduce the overall profile and to minimize clearance requirements.
  • Page 13 Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller Route the touchscreen flex cable around the display and plug it into the controller connector (JP4). The cable is supplied mated to the controller and taped over with a part number sticker. If you must disconnect the cable during assembly, ensure that the controller is re-mated to the sensor with the same serial number.

  • Page 14: Connecting The Touchscreen Cable

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Connecting the Touchscreen Cable The touchscreen connector (JP4) is a 5-pin AMP 103634-5, locking right angle male connector with pins on 0.1 inch centers. The MT3000 controller supports exiting the flex cable in any direction from the touchscreen–...

  • Page 15: Establishing The Data Connection

    Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller Establishing the Data Connection The MT3000 controller requires that an RS-232 serial communication cable be attached to connector JP1. You can use a standard MicroTouch RS-232 cable (P/N 7310101). You may need a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter if the only available communication (COM) port on your PC has 25 pins.
  • Page 16 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Table 1 COM Cable for MT3000 Controller PC Side Wire Controller Side (9-Pin D) (7-Pin Molex) RS-232 Assigned Jumpered to: Color Description Data Carrier Detect 4 and 6 None (DCD) DTR and DSR Receive Data Brown Transmit Data (RXD)

  • Page 17: Supplying Power To The Controller

    Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller Supplying Power to the Controller You must supply the MT3000 controller with power. You can use internal power (that is, tap power from inside the monitor or PC) or external power. However you supply power, the source must deliver 70 mA typical, Note: with a maximum ripple and noise of 50mV peak-to-peak.

  • Page 18: Using A Custom Serial Cable Design

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Using a Custom Serial Cable Design When creating a custom serial cable connection (refer to "Establishing the Data Connection"), you can provide power to the controller through the mating Molex connector: Obtain a 7-pin Molex connector 51004-0700. Attach power and ground to the connector, (Pin 6: +5V, Pin 7: Ground).

  • Page 19: Mounting The Touchscreen

    Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller Connect the DC plug from the power tap cable to the jack built into the 9-pin D connector. Mounting the Touchscreen There are several methods for mounting the touchscreen depending on your application (CRT displays, LCD modules, flat panel displays, each in a variety of sizes).

  • Page 20: Status Light (Led) Diagnostics

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Status Light (LED) Diagnostics MicroTouch controllers are highly reliable units, however there may be occasions when the controller does not perform exactly as you expect. The MT3000 controller provides diagnostic feedback with an LED as shown in Figure 6.
  • Page 21 Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller Table 2. LED Diagnostic Codes for MT3000 Controller LED Flashes Self-Test Bit Error Description (per 10 seconds) (UV Command) Reserved for future assignment. ROM error. Firmware checksum verification error. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) error. Unable to establish PWM operating range at power-up.

  • Page 22: What's Next

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide What's Next? You have successfully installed the MT3000 controller and connected the touchscreen to your computer. You are now ready to complete the following tasks: Install TouchWare or equivalent software for your touchscreen Use the software to calibrate the touchscreen Installing and Using TouchWare TouchWare includes the software driver that lets your touchscreen work with your computer.
  • Page 23 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller This chapter discusses the fundamentals of communicating with the MT3000 controller. The firmware commands, which are usually issued by a driver or utility program on the host system, control the operation of the touchscreen controller, however developers can enter these commands directly.

  • Page 24: Chapter 2 Communicating With The Mt3000 Controller

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Controller Default Settings This section describes the default settings for the MT3000 controller. Communication Parameters The default operation of the MT3000 controller is N, 7, 2 (no parity, 7 data bits, and 2 stop bits) at 9600 baud. It also can be programmed to work with even/odd parity, 8 data bits, and 1 or 2 stop bits.

  • Page 25: Operating Mode

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Operating Mode The operating mode specifies the conditions under which the controller sends the X/Y touch coordinates (input data packet) to the host system. Mode Stream is the default operating mode for the MT3000 controller. In Mode Stream, the controller sends a continuous stream of data packets when the screen is touched.

  • Page 26: Communicating With The Controller

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Communicating with the Controller This section provides information on sending firmware commands to the controller and interpreting the responses that the controller returns. The commands listed in this section are those that Microtouch currently uses for development. MicroTouch recommends that you use these commands for MT3000 controller development, however if you need additional commands for compatibility with older designs, you can find the complete command set on the TouchWare CD.

  • Page 27: Receiving Responses From The Controller

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller enter a carriage return, ending the command sequence, use Enter or the key combination Ctrl M (^M). This chapter lists each command as a string of ASCII control characters and printable characters consisting of a header, the command, and a terminator as follows: <SOH>Command<CR>...
  • Page 28 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Some possible reasons for a command failure include: The command was not formatted correctly. The system parameters were not set up to allow command execution. The controller does not support the command. The terminator is the last character of each response string and is an ASCII carriage return CR.
  • Page 29 Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Table 3 MT3000 Initialization Command String Sequence # Command Format Reset <SOH>R<CR> AutoBaud Disable <SOH>AD<CR> Parameter Set <SOH>PN812<CR> Format Tablet <SOH>FT<CR> Mode Stream <SOH>MS<CR> Parameter Lock <SOH>PL<CR>...

  • Page 30: Summary Of Firmware Commands

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Summary of Firmware Commands Developers may use this information when writing touch applications, developing custom drivers or touch configurations, or testing their touch systems. Developers can use firmware commands to initialize the controller, select operating modes, specify data formats, and execute diagnostic functions.
  • Page 31 Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Table 4 Firmware Commands for MT3000 Development Command Name Code Description AutoBaud Disable Turns OFF the automatic baud rate detection feature. AutoBaud Enable Turns ON the automatic baud rate detection feature. Calibrate Extended Initiates an interactive, two-point calibration.
  • Page 32 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Table 5 Additional Commands for Prior Design Compatibility Command Name Code Description Calibrate Interactive Initiates an interactive, two-point edge calibration. Calibrate New Initiates an interactive, two-point edge calibration. Filter Number FNnn Sets the number of X/Y values that the controller uses to generate an accurate coordinate after the touchscreen receives an initial touch.
  • Page 33 Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Command Name Code Description Set Parameter Block Sets all power-up and run time parameters used by the controller. Sensitivity Set Changes the sensitivity of the touchscreen.

  • Page 34: Autobaud Disable

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide AutoBaud Disable Syntax: <SOH>AD<CR> Description: Turns off the automatic baud rate detection feature. When you disable AutoBaud, the controller maintains the communication rate currently set in non-volatile RAM (NovRAM). The controller continues to use this communication rate until you change it with either the Parameter Set command or the AutoBaud Enable command.

  • Page 35: Autobaud Enable

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller AutoBaud Enable Syntax: <SOH>AE<CR> Description: Turns on the automatic baud rate detection feature. When you enable AutoBaud, the controller changes its communication rate to that of the next command from the host system. Thereafter, the controller sets its communication rate to the first command received from the host system after powering on the unit.

  • Page 36: Calibrate Extended

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Calibrate Extended Syntax: <SOH>CX<CR> Description: Initiates an interactive, two-point calibration. During the calibration process, you define the active area of the touchscreen by mapping locations to an absolute X/Y coordinate system. You touch two target areas on the screen. Touching the target areas sends the X/Y coordinates for those touch points to the controller.

  • Page 37: Guidelines For Calibrate Extended

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller 1023, 0) (0, 0) Upper Right Calibration Target (895, 96) (560, 420) X = 1023 – (1024 x 1/8) = 1023 – 128 = 895 Y = 0 + (768 x 1/8) = 0 + 96 = 96 (128, 671) (80, 60) (0, 767)

  • Page 38: Calibrate Extended Procedure

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide The controller stores the data in non-volatile memory (NovRAM). Therefore, you do not have to calibrate the screen each time you power on the system. You should, however, recalibrate the touchscreen any time the video display changes or gets repositioned. You can cancel a calibration at any time by issuing a Reset command.

  • Page 39: Calibrate Raw

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Calibrate Raw Syntax: <SOH>CR<CR> Description: Allows the collection of raw (signed) X and Y coordinates prior to the normal scaling, linearization, and filtering processes. The controller sends the coordinates whenever a touch is detected and continues to send a stream of data as long as a finger remains in contact with the touchscreen.
  • Page 40 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide where: = Status byte; first byte of data. Refer to Table 6. Xx = X (horizontal) coordinate data; second and third bytes of data Yy = Y (vertical) coordinate data; fourth and fifth bytes of data. MSB* Bits LSB*...

  • Page 41: Format Decimal

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Format Decimal Note: MicroTouch provides this command for compatibility with older touchscreen controllers. To ensure compatibility with all existing and future MicroTouch controllers, do not use this command when developing your touch drivers and applications. Syntax: <SOH>FD<CR>...
  • Page 42 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide After the controller is in Format Decimal mode, touching the screen causes the controller to return a response in the following format: <HDR>Xxx,Yyy<CR> where: <HDR> = Start-of-header (Hex 01). If you send a Mode Status command after a Format Decimal command, this first byte becomes a status byte.

  • Page 43: Format Raw

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Format Raw Syntax: <SOH>FR<CR> Description: Returns the signal level (amount of touch) of each of the four touchscreen corners in digital format. The returned values are not corrected for offset and stray values. However, you can obtain the offset and stray values using the Get Parameter Block command.
  • Page 44 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Response: <SOH>0<CR> Positive response. After the controller is in Format Raw mode, the controller returns a response in the following format: <7-byte-packet><7-byte-packet>...<7-byte-packet>... Byte Bits 0 – 7 b0 – b3: Drive level (amount of signal sent from controller) b4 –...

  • Page 45: Format Tablet

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Format Tablet Syntax: <SOH>FT<CR> Description: Outputs the X/Y touch coordinate data in a 5-byte packet. The packet includes 1 status byte and 4 bytes of binary X/Y coordinate data. The protocol also establishes the X and Y coordinate output as 14 binary bits providing a range of 0 to 16,383.
  • Page 46 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide MSB* Bits LSB* Data Sequence S - Byte 1 X - Byte 2 x - Byte 3 Y - Byte 4 y - Byte 5 * MSB = Most Significant Bit, LSB = Least Significant Bit Table 7 defines the status bits (Byte 1) for the Format Tablet data.

  • Page 47: Mode Status

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Mode Status Syntax: <SOH>MT<CR> Description: Sends a touch status byte preceding the X, Y coordinate data sent in response to a Format Decimal or Format Hexadecimal command. The format of the data depends on the last format command received by the controller.
  • Page 48 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Response: <SOH>0<CR> Positive response. If the controller is in Format Decimal or Format Hexadecimal mode and you receive a positive response to Mode Status, touching the screen causes the controller to return the following response: <Status>Xxx,Yyy<CR>...

  • Page 49: Mode Stream

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Mode Stream Syntax: <SOH>MS<CR> Description: Sends a continuous stream of X/Y coordinate data when you touch the screen. The controller continues to send data as long as you touch the screen. The controller sends the data even if the touch is stationary and unchanging.

  • Page 50: Null Command

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Null Command Syntax: <SOH>Z<CR> Description: Queries the controller and waits for a response. Use Z to determine that you are communicating with the controller or to make sure that a utility is communicating with the controller. Using this command does not affect the controller’s current operating parameters.

  • Page 51: Output Identity

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Output Identity Syntax: <SOH>OI<CR> Description: Returns a 6-character identifier, which describes the controller type and the firmware version number. The output identity for the MT3000 controller is A30630 or A30670 for APAC. Response: <SOH>CcXxxx<CR>...

  • Page 52: Parameter Lock

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Parameter Lock Syntax: <SOH>PL<CR> Description: Writes and stores the data format and operating mode of the controller into non-volatile memory (NovRAM). Any time you make changes to the data format or the operating mode, you should issue a Parameter Lock command to store the new settings to the NovRAM.

  • Page 53: Parameter Set

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Parameter Set Syntax: <SOH>Ppds[b]<CR> where: = Parity type. N = No parity O = Odd parity E = Even parity = Number of data bits (7 or 8). = Number of stop bits (1 or 2). = Communication rate.
  • Page 54 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Examples: <Ctrl A>PN813<CR> Sets the serial line to no parity, eight data bits, one stop bit, and 4800 baud. <Ctrl A>PN81<CR> Sets the parity, data bits, and stop bits; leaves the baud at its previous value. The settings are immediately written to NovRAM, and all future Caution: communication must occur at the new values.

  • Page 55: Reset

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Reset Syntax: <SOH>R<CR> Description: Initializes the hardware and the firmware, causes the controller to stop sending data, and recalculates the environmental conditions (for example, stray and offset values). The Reset command also cancels the Format Raw and Calibrate Raw commands and returns the controller to normal operation.

  • Page 56: Restore Defaults

    MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide Restore Defaults Syntax: <SOH>RD<CR> Description: Returns to the factory default operating parameters. The Restore Defaults command copies the MicroTouch factory default parameters from ROM to the non-volatile memory (NovRAM) and then executes a Reset command. Table 8 lists the factory defaults for the MT3000 controller.

  • Page 57: Unit Type Verify

    Chapter 2 Communicating with the MT3000 Controller Unit Type Verify Syntax: <SOH>UV<CR> Description: Responds with an 8-character identity string. This string identifies the type of controller currently attached to the system, lists the features supported by the controller, and outputs the status of the controller hardware (a self-test code).
  • Page 59 MT3000 Controller Specifications MT3000 Controller: Programmable CMOS small format-size controller Circuit Board Dimensions: 1.3 in. x 2.4 in. (33 mm x 61 mm) Power Requirements: +5 VDC (70 mA typical), 50 mV peak- to-peak maximum ripple and noise Operating Temperature: 0 to 60 degrees C Storage Temperature: -40 to +85 degrees C...
  • Page 61 Index guidelines 37 targets 36 carriage return <CR> character 26 acknowledgments to a command 27 clearance 12 AD (AutoBaud Disable) command 34 command syntax 26 adapter, 9-pin to 25-pin 15 commands receiving responses to 27 AE (AutoBaud Enable) command 35 sending 26 AutoBaud Disable command 34 communication parameters 24...
  • Page 62 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide corporate headquarters 7 firmware version, identifying 51 CR (Calibrate Raw) command 39 flat panel displays 9, 19 CR (carriage return) character 26 Format Raw command 43 CX (Calibrate Extended) command 36 Format Tablet command 45 formats, data 24 FR (Format Raw) command 43 FT (Format Tablet) command 45...
  • Page 63 Index operating modes locking 52 LCD modules 19 orientation 12, 14 LED 19, 20, 21 Output Identity command 51 linearization 10, 14, 21, 31, 39 locking parameters 52 packet, data See data format Parameter Lock command 52 MicroTouch Internet address 6 Parameter Set command 53 Mode Status command 47 parameters...
  • Page 64 MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide screws 12, 13, 19 version, identifying firmware 51 sending firmware commands 26 sensor drive signal, adjusting 32 serial number 10, 13 wall-mount power supply 18 settings See parameters World Wide Web site 6 SOH (start-of-header) character 26 worldwide offices 7 specifications 59 standoffs 13...

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