Embedded in phones, office equipment, speakers, digital photo frames, TV control buttons, remote controls, GPS systems, automotive keyless entry, and medical monitoring equipment, touchscreens are everywhere. As a component, they have reached into every industry, every product type, every size, and every application at every price point. Touchscreens are everywhere. In fact, if a product has an LCD or buttons, a designer somewhere is probably evaluating how they too can implement touchscreen technology. As with any technology, there are many different ways to implementation approaches, many promises of performance, and many different technical considerations when designing a touchscreen.
Anatomy of a Touchscreen
Knowing what you need is an important first step in designing a touchscreen product. Vendors in the touchscreen supply chain frequently offer different pieces of the puzzle, often times combining several to create a value chain for the end customer.