AR1100BRD

Overview

The Microchip Technology AR1100BRD is the mTouch™ AR1100 Analog Resistive USB and RS-232 Touch Screen Controller Board. It provides a fully integrated solution for resistive touch screens, automatically detecting and switching between USB 2.0 (HID-MOUSE or HID-DIGITIZER) and RS-232 (9600 baud) communication protocols. The board supports 4, 5, and 8-wire analog resistive sensors with jumper-selectable configurations. Electrical specifications include a supply voltage range of 3.3V to 5.0V, typical idle current of 17mA for USB and 16mA for RS-232, and operating temperatures from -25°C to +85°C for the board. It features 10-bit measurement resolution (1024x1024 pixels) and 12-bit reporting capability.

Feature Summary

• Automatic detection and configuration of USB 2.0 HID or RS-232 communication protocols at power-up.
• Support for 4, 5, and 8-wire analog resistive touch screens via jumper selection and dedicated headers.
• 12-bit coordinate reporting (4096x4096) with a typical report rate of 150 rps and 8 ms response time.
• Integrated ESD protection rated at 24 kVA static protection for both communication and touch screen connections.

Applications

• Industrial control panels and self-service kiosks requiring robust resistive touch interfaces.
• POS terminals and handheld consumer devices utilizing USB plug-and-play connectivity.
• Medical devices and smaller tablet displays needing low-cost, high-performance touch sensing.
• Monitor applications where users may switch between USB and RS-232 communication modes.

Procurement Notes

Verify that the specific order corresponds to the AR1100BRD development kit rather than the standalone AR1100-I/SS IC. Confirm compatibility with the intended touch screen wire configuration (4, 5, or 8-wire) as the board requires manual jumper settings for sensor type selection. Ensure access to the official Microchip documentation DS41604A for proper installation and driver integration.

Selection Notes

Select this board for prototyping and evaluation of the AR1100 controller in systems supporting either USB or RS-232 interfaces. It is suitable for designs requiring automatic protocol detection without external microcontroller intervention for communication handling. Consider the mechanical dimensions (approx. 69mm x 26mm) and the need for conductive stand-offs to ensure proper grounding and ESD protection during integration.

Part Context

The AR1100BRD serves as the hardware evaluation platform for the AR1100 analog resistive touch screen controller IC. It is part of the mTouch™ product family, building upon the previous AR1000 series by offering enhanced USB compliance and dynamic rise-time sampling. This board allows developers to test firmware updates and calibration utilities before implementing the controller in final production designs.

Replacement Considerations

For direct component replacement, verify if the application requires the full development board functionality or just the controller IC. The standalone AR1100-I/SS IC is the core component used on this board. If the board itself is obsolete, check for newer Microchip touch controller solutions, though no direct single-board substitute is listed in the provided documentation.

FAQ

How does the AR1100BRD handle communication protocol selection?

The board automatically detects the active communication protocol at power-up. It defaults to RS-232 until USB activity is detected, at which point it switches to USB HID mode. The inactive mode is decommissioned to minimize power consumption.

What touch screen types are supported by the AR1100BRD?

The board supports 4-wire, 5-wire, and 8-wire analog resistive touch screens. A mechanical jumper selects between 5-wire (jumper on) and 4/8-wire (jumper off) modes, and specific headers or FFC connectors are used for sensor attachment.

What is the power consumption in sleep modes?

In USB suspend mode, the typical current draw is less than 500 uA. In RS-232 sleep mode, the typical current draw is less than 10 uA.