MicroTouch Micro Touch Capacitive Controller MT3000 User manual

MT3000
Capacitive Controller
Reference Guide

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
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document. The furnishing of this document does not give you license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or
other intellectual property except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from MicroTouch.
© 1999 MicroTouch Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
Document Title: MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide
Document Number: 19-236, Version 2.0
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KeyPad, Microcal, PicturePad, PrivacyTouch, Prospector, The Public Browser, QuickPoint, ScreenWriter Tablet,
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MicroTouch Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

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................................................12
Connecting the Touchscreen Cable..............................................14
Establishing the Data Connection................................................15
Supplying Power to the Controller...............................................17
Using an Internal Power Supply (+5V) to JP2.......................17
Using a Custom Serial Cable Design.....................................18
Using an External Wall-Mount Power Supply.......................18
Using a Keyboard Power Tap Cable......................................18
Mounting the Touchscreen...........................................................19
Turning On Your System.............................................................19
Status Light (LED) Diagnostics ...................................................20
What's Next? ................................................................................22
Installing and Using TouchWare............................................22

MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide4
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..............................27
Summary of Firmware Commands..............................................30
AutoBaud Disable........................................................................34
AutoBaud Enable.........................................................................35
Calibrate Extended.......................................................................36
Determining Target Areas......................................................36
Guidelines for Calibrate Extended.........................................37
Calibrate Extended Procedure................................................38
Calibrate Raw...............................................................................39
Format Decimal............................................................................ 41
Format Raw..................................................................................43
Format Tablet............................................................................... 45
Mode Status..................................................................................47
Mode Stream................................................................................49
Null Command.............................................................................50
Output Identity.............................................................................51
Parameter Lock ............................................................................52
Parameter Set ...............................................................................53
Reset.............................................................................................55
Restore Defaults...........................................................................56
Unit Type Verify.......................................................................... 57
Appendix A MT3000 Controller Specifications
Index

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. It
also includes a complete description of the firmware commands, a guide to
interpreting status LED conditions, and a table of controller specifications.
MicroTouch Support Services
MicroTouch provides extensive support services through our technical
support organization. You can contact technical support by telephone, fax,
or electronic mail, or obtain updated information and drivers on the World
Wide Web.
MicroTouch Technical Support
Technical Support by telephone is available:
•24 hours a day, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays)
•9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Saturday and Sunday
(excluding holidays)
The Technical Support Hot Line number is: 978-659-9200

MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide6
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
You can also submit a written description of the problem to MicroTouch
Technical Support at any time by sending a fax or electronic mail.
•Technical Support Fax: [phone]
•Technical Support E-Mail: [e-mail]
MicroTouch on the World Wide Web
You can download MicroTouch touchscreen software and drivers, obtain
regularly updated technical information on MicroTouch products, or learn
more about our company at the following web site:
http://www.microtouch.com

About This Manual 7
MicroTouch Corporate Headquarters and Worldwide Offices
United States
MicroTouch Systems, Inc.
300 Griffin Brook Park Drive
Methuen, MA 01844
United States
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
Web Site: http://www.microtouch.com
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Support Hot Line: 978-659-9200
Support Fax: [phone]
Support E-Mail: [e-mail]
Australia
MicroTouch Australia, Pty Ltd.
797 Springvale Road
Mulgrave Victoria 3170 Australia
Phone: [phone]
Web Site: http://www.microtouch.com.au
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Support: [e-mail]
France
MicroTouch Systems SARL
Europarc de Créteil
19, rue Le Corbusier
94042 Créteil Cedex France
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Germany
MicroTouch Systems GmbH
Schiess-Straße 55
40549 Düsseldorf Germany
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Hong Kong
MicroTouch Systems Ltd.
Unit 1, 26/F, Westley Square
48 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong
Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR, PRC
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Italy
MicroTouch Systems srl
C.so Milano, 19
20052 Monza (MI) Italy
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Japan
MicroTouch Systems K.K.
Bellevue Mizonokuchi Building 3F
3-2-3, Hisamoto, Takatsu-ku
Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 213 Japan
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Korea
MicroTouch Systems, Inc.
#402, 4th Floor, Nam-Kyung Building
769-6 Yeoksam-Dong, Kangnam-Gu
Seoul, Korea
Phone: [phone]
Spain
MicroTouch Systems SL
Via Augusta 13-17, Oficina 704
08006 Barcelona Spain
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Taiwan R.O.C.
MicroTouch Systems, Inc. Taiwan
9-3 Floor, No. 33, Sec. 1, Minsheng Road
Panchiao, Taipei County 22046
Taiwan, R.O.C.
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
United Kingdom
MicroTouch Systems, Ltd.
163 Milton Park Abingdon
Oxon OX14 4SD England
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

CHAPTER 1
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.
This chapter covers the following MT3000 controller specifications:
•Mounting requirements
•Power requirements and options
•Cable connections
•Data exchange
•Status LED codes

MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide10
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.
The controller and touchscreen are shipped mated by the flex cable with a
serialized label on the sensor, the controller, and over the connector to
identify them as a matched set. If the connection needs to be broken during
the integration process, the components can be matched again by serial
number.
The MT3000 is a compact controller with a standard RS-232 serial
interface. It measures 1.3 x 2.4 inches with a total height profile of 0.4
inches from the thru hole pins on the trace side of the board to the top of the
highest component on the opposite side. The MT3000 has a touchscreen
connector, a serial cable connector, and a power connector. Refer to
Figure 1 for connector locations and to Figure 2 for the overall dimensions.
Figure 1 MT3000 Connector Locations
5-Wire
Touchscreen
Connector
Power
RS-232 Cable
Connection

Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller 11
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. The touchscreens are available in a variety of sizes.
•A method of establishing the serial data communication between the
controller and your system. You can use the standard MicroTouch RS-
232 serial cable (P/N 7310101), or you can build your own cable.
•A method of supplying power to the controller. There are several options
available including a cable connection to the 0.2 inch power connector
(JP2) or supplying power through the serial cable.
•A touchscreen driver with a 2–point calibration routine available to the
end user.
Note:
You can use TouchWare, which includes the touchscreen device
driver and utilities software.
+
LED1
JP1
JP2
JP4
2.435"
[61.85mm]
1.300"
[33.02mm]
0.125"
[3.18mm]
0.125"
[3.18mm] 0.125"
[3.18mm]
0.125"
[3.18mm]

MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide12
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.
Figure 3 shows the connector locations and identifies which of the
mounting holes requires grounding.
Figure 3 Connector Locations and Mounting Holes
When you mount the MT3000 controller, remember the following important
rules:
•Always mount the controller internally. You can orient the components
up or down, but turn the board so that the flex cable is not twisted 180°.
If possible, mount the controller with the component side visible so you
can monitor the status of the LED.
•Ground the controller. Mount it to a metal chassis surface if possible. If
you must mount it to a non-metal surface, be sure to attach a ground
wire as described in the last paragraph of this section.
•Maintain a clearance of at least 1/8 inch from the highest projection on
the controller to the chassis.
•Try to find a mounting area that is away from heat sources and EMI
noise generators such as power supplies and backlight (or CRT) drive
electronics.
+
LED1
JP1
JP2
JP4
0.122" (4-40 screw grounding required)
0.122" (4-40 screw no-grounding required)
0.929"
[23.60mm]
0.400"
[10.16mm]
0.836"
[21.23mm]
0.336"
[8.53mm]
0.200"
[5.08mm] 0.080"
[2.03mm]

Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller 13
•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.
To avoid malfunctions or damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD),
make sure you properly ground the controller through the mounting hole
shown in Figure 3. Ideally, you should mount the controller to a metal
chassis surface that is properly grounded using metal screws and standoffs.
If you use plastic screws, or if you mount the controller to a non-metal
surface, you must connect the mounting hole nearest the touchscreen
connector (JP4) to a grounded location. See Figure 3. Be sure to route the
wire to the nearest grounded location, and keep the wire dimensions as short
and as thick as possible. MicroTouch recommends that you use braided
ground cable with a flat lug crimped at both ends.

MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide14
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– from the top, bottom, left or right. The standard
configuration is with the flex cable exiting from the right side of the sensor,
(3 o’clock position) when viewed from the front.
Figure 4 Touchscreen Connector
If you exit from another direction, the controller firmware automatically
determines the pinout configuration when you calibrate the touchscreen
with TouchWare or your equivalent software. This permits flexibility in
orienting the sensor and in mounting the controller to conform to your
hardware requirements.
The automatic pinout configuration feature resides in the controller and is
independent of the driver you are using.
MicroTouch can provide software for performing a 25–point linearization
procedure by the customer, although this is not required with a mated
controller and sensor.
Caution:
If you are equipped to perform a 25–point linearization and
decide to do so, you must orient the sensor with the tail exiting to the right
during the procedure. After linearization, you can re-orient the screen as
required by your OEM design.
5-Wire
Touchscreen
Connector

Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller 15
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. One end of this cable plugs into the RS-232
connector (JP1) on the MT3000 controller (Figure 5). The other end, which
has a 9-pin D connector, plugs into a COM port on your PC, directly or
through the adapter. Table 1 describes the interconnections for the
MicroTouch RS-232 cable.
For OEM designs, you can build your own cable using a 7-pin Molex
connector (51004-0700) to mate to the JP1 connector, and design your own
connector or hard-wired configuration at the other end.
As an option, MicroTouch can supply a controller with the RS232
transceiver removed and bypassed to allow a direct serial 5V logic
interface.
Figure 5 Data Connection
RS-232 Cable
Connection

MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide16
Table 1 COM Cable for MT3000 Controller
PC Side
(9-Pin D) Wire Controller Side
(7-Pin Molex)
Pin RS-232 Assigned Jumpered to: Color Pin Description
1 Data Carrier Detect
(DCD) 4 and 6 DTR and DSR None
2 Receive Data
(RXD) Brown 2 Transmit Data (TXD)
3 Transmit Data
(TXD) Red 3 Receive Data (RXD)
4 Data Terminal Ready
(DTR) 1 and 6 DCD and DSR None
5 Signal Ground Blue 5 Power supply ground
6 Data Set Ready
(DSR) 1 and 4 DCD and DSR None
7 Request to Send
(RTS) Black 1 Request to Send (RTS)
8 Clear to Send
(CTS) Green 4 Clear to Send (CTS)
Sleeve White 6 DC power jack
(+5 VDC)
Pin 7 Cable shield connected
to ground. DC power
jack ground
Shell 7 Chassis (earth) ground

Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller 17
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.
Note:
However you supply power, the source must deliver 70 mA typical,
with a maximum ripple and noise of 50mV peak-to-peak.
You can supply power to the MT3000 controller using any of the following
methods:
•Internal power into JP2 using +5 volts DC at JP2, pin 1 and power
supply ground at JP2, pin 2
•Internal power through a custom serial cable configuration
•External power (+5 volts DC) from a wall-mount power supply
•External power (+5 volts DC) from a keyboard power tap cable
Caution:
Do not supply both internal power and external power to the
controller. Power from two sources could damage one or both of the power
supplies.
Using an Internal Power Supply (+5V) to JP2
You can power the MT3000 at JP2 using a +5 volt DC power source within
the system.
!To provide power directly to the controller using JP2:
1. Obtain a locking, mating connector for JP2
(Molex housing 22-01-3027 with 08-50-0114 contacts).
2. Attach power and ground to the connector (Pin 1: +5V ,
Pin 2: Ground). The connector is keyed. Pin 1 has continuity to the
trace marked + on the board.
3. Insert locking connector into JP2.

MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide18
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:
1. Obtain a 7-pin Molex connector 51004-0700.
2. Attach power and ground to the connector, (Pin 6: +5V, Pin 7: Ground).
Using an External Wall-Mount Power Supply
If you are using a standard MicroTouch RS-232 serial cable (P/N 7310101),
you can use either a 120 volt wall-mount power supply (P/N 19-408) or a
220 volt wall-mount power supply (P/N 19-409).
!To connect an external wall-mount power supply:
1. Remove the plastic plug covering the power jack of the 9-pin D
connector on the serial cable.
2. Connect a DC power plug to the power jack built into the 9-pin D
connector.
3. Plug the power supply into a grounded outlet. The power plug supplies
both +5V and ground.
Using a Keyboard Power Tap Cable
If you are using a standard MicroTouch RS-232 serial cable, you can use
either a 5-pin IBM AT compatible keyboard power tap cable (MicroTouch
P/N 19-356) or a 6-pin IBM PS/2 compatible keyboard power tap cable
(P/N 19-357).
!To connect a keyboard power tap cable:
1. Disconnect the keyboard cable from the back of your computer.
2. Plug the keyboard cable into the power tap cable.
3. Plug the power tap cable into the keyboard socket on the back of your
computer.
4. Remove the plastic plug covering the power jack of the 9-pin D
connector on the serial cable.

Chapter 1 Integrating the MT3000 Controller 19
5. 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). If you need instructions or recommendations from
MicroTouch on how to incorporate a touchscreen into your OEM design,
you can order the publication Touchscreen Kits Installation Guide
(Document Number 19-215).
Turning On Your System
Before you turn on your custom system, ensure that all cables are connected
properly and that the controller is properly mounted. Be sure to tighten all
cable connector screws.
!To start up your system:
1. Turn on your monitor and computer.
2. Adjust the contrast and brightness to suit your personal preference and
working environment.
3. Adjust the horizontal and vertical position controls on the monitor to
center the image on the screen.
The MT3000 controller has a light emitting diode (LED) on the component
side of the board that indicates the status of the touchscreen unit.
If it was necessary for you to mount the controller component side down,
you can determine the status of the LED from its reflected light off the
mounting surface.
If the LED is on, and remains dimly lit, the controller has power and is
operating properly. If the LED is off, the controller is not receiving power.
See the next section for other indications.

MT3000 Capacitive Controller Reference Guide20
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.
Figure 6 Diagnostic LED (component side)
When you power-up the unit, the LED is bright until the controller start-up
sequence is completed. Following start-up, the LED becomes dim and
remains dim as long as you do not touch the sensor. When you touch the
sensor, the LED becomes bright.
A flashing (or blinking) LED during power-up indicates the controller’s
power-on self-test failed. Refer to Table 2 for a description of each error
code.
LED