In this bulletin we are going to share with you the ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) design on PenMount touch control board. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) means a sudden transfer of electrostatic charge between bodies or surfaces at different electrostatic potentials. Let us talk about the 4 types of ESD that could be generated:

(1)   Human-body model (HBM) - generated by human contact.
(2)   Machine model (MM) - generated by machinery itself.
(3)   Charged-device model (CDM) - generated by a device acquiring charge through some triboelectricity (frictional).
(4)   Field-induced model (FIM) - generated by the movement or friction of the machine.

To protect electronic parts against ESD damages is very important, especially that of the Human-body model (HBM). We would like to say people discharge electrostatic frequently, but to feel a discharge, it has to be about 3,000 volts which means a person can not easily feel the damaged electronic components. 100 volts or less can damage components while we are using the handheld and mobile devices.

Touch screen is a very common input interface for handheld and mobile devices, user operates it by finger. Thus ESD is an important feature of touch screen hardware specifications. There are two main elements of touch screen solution: the touch screen and the touch controller. If the electrical device needs to resist electrostatic, not only a careful selection of touch screen is required but also required is the careful selection of touch controller with a good circuit design and components used.

Touch control board is only a PCBA, so far there is no ESD specifications for PCBA, only ESD testing method and testing standard for the electrical component and the whole system which is a finished assembled system. Because the static electricity could emanate to the system via the touch screen, and to prevent this, PenMount touch control board provides you with the ESD design.

PenMount touch control board series include:

RS-232 interface---

PM 9026BH, PM 9036BH

USB interface---

PM 5126BH, PM 51A5EH, PM 6300

RS-232 and USB combo---

PM 6200C , PM 6500

The ESD design of these boards passed the IEC-61000-4-2 testing, it can offer Air Discharge of 15KV and Contact Discharge of 8KV.

If you use PenMount touch control board, you need not be concerned with static electricity damaging your system once you have well connected the mounting holes to the ground connection. If you use PenMount touch control IC, design the circuit according to PenMount control board, and pay attention to the grounding, then there should be no ESD concerns as well. Should the mechanical design of the whole system discharges static electricity generated on the surface of the touch screen by grounding, PenMount controller will not be affected by the discharged static electricity. If you have any requests regarding ESD, or any questions on PenMount touch controller ESD functions, please let us know and we will respond to you at the earliest possible time.

For more PenMount controller and drivers information, please visit our websites: http://www.amtouch.com.tw/ or http://www.penmount.com/ or http://www.penmount.com.tw/.