Presented on: 28th Feb, 2018, 14:15-14:35
Where: Electronic Displays Conference, Nuremberg, Germany
Session 01: Touch Technologies and Integration
Join us at Electronic Displays Conference as we present our latest research paper titled “Metal Mesh vs ITO electrodes in Projected-capacitive Touch Screens: Performance Comparison Through Measurements and Simulations”.
The study investigates the performance of a double-layer projected-capacitive with metal-mesh electrodes touch screen compared to a sensor of the same type and layout made with ITO electrodes, in terms of capacitance values and their sensitivity to finger presence.
Traditionally, the conductive electrodes of projected-capacitive sensors in touch screens are made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), due to its high optical transmittance and reasonable electrical conductivity. However, the market’s needs for larger, flexible and curved touch screens are driving manufacturers to replace ITO electrodes with metal mesh ones, in other words, conductive grids most commonly made of silver, copper or aluminum.
Metal mesh sensors have the advantage of high degree of flexibility and low resistivity, along with high optical transmission and high touch sensitivity. Thus, they can be successfully applied to curved surfaces and used in various industrial and automotive applications, where usually thick and often curved cover lenses are required. In such applications ambient electromagnetic noise, coming from the display or other electronic components, is a common issue for sensors that use ITO electrodes. The problem is usually solved by placing a thin shielding layer underneath the sensor.
The results were produced by using both measurements and simulations of capacitance values. Measurements took place in the Testing Labs of PolyIC GmbH & Co. KG, while simulations were performed using Fieldscale SENSE, a specialized touch screen design and simulation tool.
Fieldscale Head Application Engineer, Christos Daskalou, and PolyIC Research Scientist, Mathias Gruber, will be presenting the study, and will be available for questions after the session. We welcome you for a fruitful discussion on metal mesh touch sensors.
Leave a Comment