Capacitive Sensing

The sensing technology used in

Human interfaces
What is Capacitive
Sensing ?
In electrical
engineering, capacitive
sensing is a technology,
based on capacitive
coupling, that takes
human body
capacitance as input.
Capacitive sensors detect
anything that is
conductive or has
a dielectric different from
that of air.
Many types of sensors use
capacitive sensing, including
sensors to detect and measure
proximity, position or
displacement, humidity, fluid
level, and acceleration. Human
interface devices based on
capacitive sensing, such
as trackpads, can replace
the computer mouse. Digital
audio players, mobile phones,
and tablet computers use
capacitive
sensing touchscreens as input
devices.
What is Capacitive Coupling?

In electronics, capacitive coupling is the transfer

of energy within an electrical network by means of
the capacitance between circuit nodes. This
coupling can have an intentional or accidental
effect. Capacitive coupling is typically achieved
by placing a capacitor in series with the signal to
be coupled
Design
Capacitive sensors are constructed
from many different media, such as
copper, Indium tin oxide (ITO) and
printed ink. Designing a
capacitance sensing system
requires first picking the type of
sensing material (FR4, Flex, ITO,
etc.). One also needs to understand
the environment the device will
operate in, such as the
full operating temperature range,
what radio frequencies are present
and how the user will interact with
the interface.
Types
There are two types of capacitive sensing system: mutual
capacitance where the object (finger, conductive stylus) alters
the mutual coupling between row and column electrodes,
which are scanned sequentially and self- or absolute
capacitance where the object (such as a finger) loads the sensor
or increases the parasitic capacitance to ground. In both cases,
the difference of a preceding absolute position from the present
absolute position yields the relative motion of the object or
finger during that time
Comparison with other touchscreen
technologies
Capacitive touchscreens are more responsive than resistive

touchscreens, but less accurate.

A standard stylus cannot be used for capacitive sensing, but


special capacitive styli, which are conductive, exist for the
purpose. One can even make a capacitive stylus by putting
some form of conductive material, such as anti-static
conductive foam on the tip of a standard stylus. Capacitive
touchscreens are more expensive to manufacture than resistive
touchscreens. Some cannot be used with gloves, and can fail to
sense correctly with even a small amount of water on the
screen.
Stylus
A stylus designed for
resistive touchscreens
will not register on
capacitive sensors.
Styluses that work on
capacitive touchscreens
primarily designed for
fingers are required to
simulate the difference
in dielectric offered by
a human digit
Capacitance and Distance
Capacitive sensors use an alternating voltage
which causes the charges to continually reverse
their positions. The moving of the charges
creates an alternating electric current which is
detected by the sensor . The amount of current
flow is determined by the capacitance, and the
capacitance is determined by the area and
proximity of the conductive objects. Larger and
closer objects cause greater current than smaller
and more distant objects. The capacitance is also
affected by the type of nonconductive material
in the gap between the objects.
Capacitance is determined by
Operation
 The capacitance is directly proportional to the surface area of the objects
and the dielectric constant of the material between them, and inversely
proportional to the distance between them .

 In typical capacitive sensing applications, the probe or sensor is one of the

conductive objects; the target object is the other. The sizes of the sensor and
the target are assumed to be constant as is the material between them.
Therefore, any change in capacitance is a result of a change in the distance
between the probe and the target. The electronics are calibrated to generate
specific voltage changes for corresponding changes in capacitance. These
voltages are scaled to represent specific changes in distance. The amount of
voltage change for a given amount of distance change is called the
sensitivity. A common sensitivity setting is 1.0V/100µm
Advantages Of Capacitive Sensing
Compared to other noncontact sensing technologies such as
optical, laser, eddy current and inductive, high performance
capacitive sensors have some distinct advantages.

• Higher resolutions including subnanometer resolutions.

• Not sensitive to material changes: Capacitive sensors respond
equally to all conductors
• Inexpensive compared to laser interferometers.