TouchNetix AX24A Combines Touch and Force Sensing in 40-Pin Package
The dual-sensing controller supports up to 22 touch/force buttons with force-sensing capabilities behind conductive materials, targeting industrial, automotive, and consumer button applications.
TouchNetix has released the AX24A, a touch-and-force-sensing controller designed to address false activation issues in button-based interfaces. The controller is positioned for use in automotive dashboards and controls, industrial machinery interfaces, medical equipment panels, consumer appliances, and gaming controls.
The AX24A joins the company’s Axiom product family and comes in a 40-pin QFN package.
TouchNetix’s AX24A touch-and-force-sensing controller comes in a 40-pin QFN package. Image used courtesy of TouchNetix
AX24A Sensing Controller
The AX24A touch-and-force sensing controller supports up to 22 configurable buttons that can operate in touch-only, force-only, or combined touch/force modes. The controller’s force-sensing technology allows designers to set a specific press for activation, helping prevent unintended button presses that have become more common as capacitive touch buttons replace mechanical switches.
Individual buttons can be configured with independent logic or linked together for functions such as guard channels or one-hot groups. The device supports haptic and LED feedback mechanisms triggered through macro-driven I²C or GPIO sequences.
Touch and Force Sensing
The AX24A can detect force changes from 20 g to 20 kg with micron-level precision and linear response characteristics. A notable feature of the controller is its ability to implement force-only buttons behind conductive materials, including metal panels. This capability enables button placement in environments where traditional capacitive touch sensing would not function while also providing water- and fluid-tolerance.
For joystick implementations, the force-sensing approach offers longer operational life compared to mechanical switches or variable resistors. The controller includes Pilot ID support for user differentiation and safety features.
TouchNetix has designed the AX24A for touch and force buttons in industrial, automotive, and consumer applications. Image used courtesy of TouchNetix
Multi-Button Applications
The AX24A addresses a specific challenge in modern interface design: maintaining the reliability and deliberate activation characteristics of mechanical buttons while leveraging the benefits of solid-state touch technology. The force-sensing requirement acts as a confirmation mechanism, distinguishing between inadvertent contact and intentional button presses. Combined with haptic feedback and the ability to operate across various surface materials, the controller provides engineers with options for implementing robust button interfaces in demanding environments where both reliability and user experience are essential.
