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AT42QT1110-MU / AT42QT1110-AU [DATASHEET]
9520J–AT42–05/2013
4.8 Trigger Modes
4.8.1 Timed Trigger
In 11-key mode, The QT1110 can be configured to use the interna l clock as a timed trigger. In this case, the QT1110
is configured with a cycle period, such that each acquisition cycle starts a specified length of time after the start of
the previous cycle. If the cycle period is set to 0, each acquisition cycle starts as soon as the previous one has
finished, resulting in the acquisition cycles running back-to-back in a “free run” mode.
The use of a timed trigger, and the cycle period to be used, is set in the Device Mode setup byte (see Section 7.4 on
page 29).
4.8.2 Synchronized Trigger
In 11-key mode, if a time trigger is not enabled, the QT1110 operates in “synchronized” mode. In this mode, SNS10K
is used as a SYNC pin to trigger key acquisition, rather than using the device internal clock. In this case the
maximum number of keys is reduced to 10.
The SYNC pin can use one of two methods to trigger key measu rements, selectable via bit 4 of the Device Mode
setup byte (see Section 7.4 on page 29): Low Level and Rising Edge.
With the Low Level method the QT1110 operates in “free run” mode for as long as the SYNC pin is read as a logical
0. When the SYNC pin goes high, the current measurement cycle will be finished and no more key measurements
will be taken until the SYNC pin goes low again. The low level trigger should be a minimum of 1 ms so that there is
sufficient time for the device to detect the low level.
With the Rising Edge method all enabled keys are measured once when a rising edge is detected on the SYNC pin.
This allows key measurements to be synchronized to an external event or condition.
For example, the SYNC pin can be used by the host to synchronize several devices to each other. This would ensure
that only one of the devices outputs pulses at any given time and signals from one QT1110 do not interfere with the
measurements from another.
Another use f or synchronizing to the rising edge is to stea dy the signals when th e device is running o ff a mains
transformer wit h insufficient mains fre quency filtering that is causing a 50 Hz or 6 0 Hz ripple on Vdd. If the mains
voltage is scaled down with a simple voltage divider and connected to the SYNC pin, then the key measurement can
be triggered by the rising edge detected at a positive going zero-crossing. Note that in this case, each key signal will
be taken at the same point in the cycle, so Vdd wil l be the same at each measurement for a given key and the
signals will be steadier.
4.9 Guard Channel Option
The device has a guard channel option (available in all key modes), which allows one key to be configu red as a
guard channel to help prevent false de tection (see Figure 4-9 on page 20). Guard channel keys should be more
sensitive than t he other ke ys (physically bigger or la rger Cs), subject to bu rst length limitations (see Section 4.11.2
on page 20).
With guard channel enabled, the designated key is connected to a sensor pad which detects the presence of touch
and overrides any output from the other keys using the chip AKS feature. The guard channel option is enabled by the
Guard Key setup byte (see Section 7.5 on page 30).
With the guard channel not enabled, all the keys work normally.
Note: If a key is already “in detect” when the guard channel becomes active, that key will remain in detect and the
guard key will not activate until the active key goes out of detect.