Semtech Unveils Industry's First USB-Enabled Single-Chip Controller for Any 4-, 5-, or 8-Wire Resistive Touch Screen.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2003

Universal device streamlines integration of CRT or LCD touch

screen interfaces by eliminating complex implementation

schemes and reducing component costs

Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq:SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for communications, portable devices, computers, and industrial equipment, announces the most universal single-chip USB-interface IC available for resistive touch screen applications, a move that extends its lead as a supplier of innovative touch screen controllers. The UR7HCTS2-USB, part of Semtech's ScreenCoder(R) family, is the industry's first single-chip controller that enables integration of any manufacturer's 4-, 5-, or 8-wire resistive touch screen with a USB- (Universal Serial Bus) equipped system.

Applications for the new ScreenCoder(R) device include any system where a touch screen can be used, including point-of-sale terminals, notebook and tablet PCs, personal digital assistants, voting machines, wireless telephones, handheld Internet appliances, ATM machines, and interactive kiosks. The IC provides high resolution of 1000 points per axis, thereby enabling the device to make precise drawing and signature captures as required in many of these systems.

The UR7HCTS2-USB controller's extensive compatibility profile maximizes the system designer's choices when specifying a manufacturer or type of resistive touch screen for a specific use. The universal chip also enables a given design to be used among different platforms or successive generations of the same system.

Unlike standalone digitizer designs, which relegate the entire control workload to the host processor, the UR7HCTS2-USB integrates the digitizer, controller, and both host system and sensor interfaces, greatly reducing design complexity, development, integration effort, and cost. The device performs all touch detection, noise filtering, and error elimination tasks, supplying fully processed, stable position data to the host processor via its USB interface.

The UR7HCTS2-USB device incorporates unique motion-sensing algorithms that filter out unwanted radio frequency and other signal interference to yield smooth and precise cursor movement.

The device is seamlessly compatible with any operating system that supports the USB HID specification. With the UR7HCTS2-USB, the touch screen is recognized as a pointer, thus custom or complex software drivers are not required. Semtech provides a simple calibration routine and driver for the commonly used Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, or XP systems; this driver is all that is required for final system integration. Drivers for other operating systems are available through third party vendors.

"Our newest, most universal ScreenCoder(R) device yet provides system designers that use touch screens with unprecedented flexibility, ease-of-integration, and cost savings," says Eddie Yeow, Director of Semtech's Human Input Device (HID) and System Management Division. "The UR7HCTS2-USB could very well drive deployment of touch screen panels for new and innovative applications in everyday life."

Key Features of the UR7HCTS2-USB

-- Widest compatibility profile of any resistive touch screen controller -- works with any 4-, 5-, or 8-wire touch screen regardless of size, material, or manufacturer

-- Integrated controller and digitizer in a single IC, simplifies system integration, development effort, and lowers complexity and cost

-- Provides high resolution sensing (up to 1000 points per axis), enabling precise capture of drawings or signatures

-- Advanced sampling algorithms provide fast and precise touch response

-- Highly resistant to RF and other interference sources

-- No external A/D converter required

-- Compatible with any USB HID compliant system, screen is recognized as an absolute-mode pointing device

-- Simple implementation with low cost surrounding components

-- Activates system wake-up by touching the screen

-- Compact 36-pin SSOP surface-mount package

Pricing and Availability

The UR7HCTS2-USB is available now from Semtech's network of authorized sales representatives and distributors, at a price of $7.78 each in 1,000-unit quantities. Requests for evaluation kits, price and delivery quotes, or samples should be directed to Semtech's HID and System Management Division at [e-mail]. Product datasheets are available at www.semtech.com.

About Semtech

Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of high-quality analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products. The company is dedicated to providing customers with proprietary solutions and breakthrough technology in power management, protection, advanced communications, human interface, test and measurement, and high-speed clock/logic products. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol SMTC. For more information, contact Semtech Corp. at 200 Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA 93012-8790; phone [phone]; email to [e-mail]; or visit its Web site at www.semtech.com.

Semtech, the Semtech logo, and ScreenCoder are marks of Semtech Corporation. All other marks used are the property of their respective owners.