PCAP Configuration Utility Version 2.

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User Guide
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3
Chapter 2. Installation................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Installation Wizard Welcome Page ..................................................................................................... 4
2.2 License Agreement.............................................................................................................................. 5
2.3 Choosing File Location ........................................................................................................................ 5
2.4 Installation of Files .............................................................................................................................. 6
2.5 Installation Complete .......................................................................................................................... 6
Chapter 3. Getting Started ............................................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Building the Hardware ........................................................................................................................ 7
3.2 Installing the PICkitTM Serial Analyzer GUI .......................................................................................... 7
3.3 Updating the PICkitTM Serial Analyzer ................................................................................................. 7
Chapter 4. PCAP Configuration Utility Layout............................................................................................... 8
4.1 Setup Tab ............................................................................................................................................ 9
4.1.1 Advanced Parameters Section ................................................................................................... 10
4.2 Auto-Tune Tab .................................................................................................................................. 11
4.2.1 Starting the Auto-Tune Procedure ............................................................................................. 12
4.2.2 Setting the Sensor Flip State Parameters .................................................................................. 13
4.2.3 Gathering Self and Mutual Baseline Values ............................................................................... 13
3.2.4 Setting Basic Self Parameters..................................................................................................... 14
4.2.5 Setting Basic Mutual Parameters ............................................................................................... 15
4.2.6 Finishing the Auto-Tune Procedure ........................................................................................... 15
4.3 Self Tab .............................................................................................................................................. 16
3.4 Mutual Tab ........................................................................................................................................ 17
3.5 Touch Tab .......................................................................................................................................... 18
4.6 Menu and Toolbar............................................................................................................................. 23
4.6.1 Open .................................................................................................................................. 23

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 4.6.2 Save .................................................................................................................................. 23
4.6.3 Save As ................................................................................................................................. 23
4.6.4 Raw Data Window ................................................................................................................. 24
4.6.5 Register Data Window .......................................................................................................... 25
4.6.6 Commands Window .............................................................................................................. 26
4.6.7 Register Offset Window ......................................................................................................... 27
4.6.8 Baseline Controller ................................................................................................................ 27
4.6.9 Freeze / Thaw ....................................................................................................................... 27
4.6.10 Help .................................................................................................................................. 27
4.6.11 Toggle Connection .............................................................................................................. 27

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Chapter 1. Introduction
The PCAP Configuration Utility (PCU) V2.00 is a Windows based graphical user interface designed to
configure, tune, and test Microchip’s MTCH6301 projected capacitive touch controller. I2C
communication from the controller is translated to the PCU by a firmware update to Microchip’s USB
based PICkitTM Serial Analyzer (PKSA) and is included in the PCU software bundle. This combination of
software and hardware support allows developers to quickly and easily integrate Microchip’s MTCH6301
PCAP touch controllers into products and applications in five simple steps as detailed in the utility

1. Define the sensor pin map

2. Auto-tune the PCAP touch controller
3. Enable features such as gesture support
4. Test the new parameters
5. Save the parameters to the controller and export these parameters to a file for production
purposes

To get started the following hardware is needed:

1. A Windows based PC with XP (32-bit) or 7 (32- / 64-bit) operating systems

2. A MTCH6301 PCAP touch controller integrated with a touch sensor
a. It is possible to use the reference design for the 3.5” touch pad demo (PCB) or the
development tool #DM320015 with special PCAP development firmware, see the
mTouch Design Center for files
b. Reference documents: Data Sheet #DS41663A section 4.1 for a Typical Application
Circuit and Sensor Design Guidelines on the mTouch Design Center
3. A system setup as shown in Figure 1.1 Typical Application Circuit schematic – sensor board with
pin out of MTCH6301
4. PICkitTM Serial Analyzer with a firmware update for MTCH6301

Note: This hex file is included with the PCU software bundle and on the mTouch Design Center. The
PICkitTM Serial Analyzer GUI can be found on Microchip’s website, www.microchip.com and a
shortcut is provided after installation of the PCU bundle.

Figure 1.1: A typical application circuit

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Chapter 2. Installation
To install the PCAP Configuration Utility, download the utility from Microchip’s mTouch Design Center
website, http://www.microchip.com/mTouch.

Note: Supported operating systems are Windows® XP 32-bit and Windows® 7 32-bit / 64-bit

Please follow the installation instructions to correctly install the PCU.

2.1 Installation Wizard Welcome Page

The Welcome page of the wizard outlines any steps that should be done before proceeding with the
installation of the PCU. It is recommended that all applications are to be closed before proceeding with
the installation wizard.

Figure 2.1: Installation Wizard’s Welcome Page

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2.2 License Agreement
Review the license agreement and click the ‘I Agree’ button if you accept the terms.

Figure 2.2: PCU’s License Agreement Page

2.3 Choosing File Location

It is recommended that the default destination folder path is chosen, but the installation path can be
modified by clicking the ‘Browse’ button. The required space for the utility and the available space are
also noted on this page.

Figure 2.3: Installation File Location Page

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2.4 Installation of Files
This screen shows the progress of installing files to the selected destination location. The installation
should take a few seconds and will automatically move onto the Installation Complete screen when
finished.

Figure 2.4: Installation of Files page

2.5 Installation Complete

This page of the wizard allows the utility and the Readme to be launched when the ‘Finish’ button is
clicked. To prevent either item from launching uncheck the respective item’s checkbox.

Figure 2.5: Installation Complete page

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Chapter 3. Getting Started
This chapter provides an overview of the steps from receiving the MTCH6301 to running the PCAP
Configuration Utility for the first time. This chapter will not go into detail, but will reference application
notes and datasheets as appropriate.

There are three basic steps prior to running the PCU for the first time:

 Building the PCB sensor hardware

 Installing the PICkitTM Serial Analyzer GUI
 Updating the PICkitTM Serial Analyzer

3.1 Building the Hardware

To design and build a PCB sensor using the MTCH6301 touch screen controller, please refer to the
‘Projected Capacitive MTCH6301 Sensor Design Tech Brief’ found on the MTCH6301 device page,
http://www.microchip.com/mTouch.

3.2 Installing the PICkitTM Serial Analyzer GUI

Please download and install the PICkitTM Serial Analyzer GUI using the provided shortcut in the Start
menu. After downloading the GUI please uncompress the “PKSAInstallVer2.2.zip” file followed by
running the setup.exe executable.

3.3 Updating the PICkitTM Serial Analyzer

After installing the PKSA GUI, launch the program on Windows XP by “Start Menu -> Program Files ->
Microchip -> PICkit Serial Analyzer” and on Windows 7 by “Start Menu -> All Programs -> Microchip ->
PICkit Serial Analyzer.” Please continue by following the steps below:

1. Click the “Cancel” button on the Configuration Wizard

2. Click the PICkit Serial Analyzer item in the Menu bar at the top of the application
3. Click the Download PICkit Serial Analyzer Firmware item
4. Navigate to the PKSA firmware hex file for the MTCH6301, <Program Files>/PCAP Configuration
Utility/PKSpCap406.hex, and select “Open”.
5. Shortly the PKSA will be updated with the new firmware
6. After the firmware has been updated, disconnect the USB cable from the PKSA and re-connect.
This must be performed for the PKSA to work properly.

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Chapter 4. PCAP Configuration Utility Layout
The PCU by default displays a Welcome window that explains the basic features of this utility. The utility
contains five tabs:

 Setup
 Auto-Tune
 Self (disabled by default)
 Mutual (disabled by default)
 Touch

Figure 4.1: Tabs of the PCU

As well, the main window is split into five sections:

 Basic Parameters
 Visualization
 Help
 Information
 Advanced Parameters

Figure 4.2: Setup tab with each section highlighted

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4.1 Setup Tab
The Setup tab is designed to correctly match the controller’s pin layout with the sensor. The Basic
Parameters section contains two boxes to input the number of RX (Receive) and TX (Transmit) pins that
are being used to connect to the sensor. The Visualization section initially displays how the controller
believes the sensor is laid out. If the sensor has a different layout than shown, drag the appropriate RX
or TX pin from the controller to the correct location on the sensor. When the sensor is correctly laid out,
click the ‘Set Pin Map Registers’ button to apply the settings on the controller. Finally, in the
Information section, the status of the controller will be displayed along with the controller’s firmware
version, the controller’s ID and the version of the utility.

Figure 4.3: Setup tab with pin map being modified

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4.1.1 Advanced Parameters Section
The Advanced Parameters section of the Setup tab allows advanced interface components and features
to be enabled. Specifically, the menu and toolbar can be displayed, along with enabling the Self and
Mutual tabs. If the controller needs to be restored to the factory defaults the ‘Restore Factory Defaults’
button can be clicked. If clicked, text will appear after a few seconds indicating if the restoration was
successful. Finally, the ‘Perform Manufacturing Tests’ button checks the controller for any pin faults.
The status of the controller will appear next to the button after the tests are performed.

Figure 4.4: Advanced Parameters section of the Setup tab

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4.2 Auto-Tune Tab
The Auto-Tune tab is designed to tune the MTCH6301 for a balance of report rate speed and sensor
accuracy. Some applications may need additional tuning, see Chapter 4.3 and 4.4 for more details. The
steps of the Auto-Tune procedure are shown in the Visualization section and described in the
Information section. The Auto-Tune procedure is broken down into six steps:

 Starting the Auto-Tune Procedure

 Setting the Sensor Flip State Parameters
 Gathering the Self and Mutual Baseline Values
 Setting Basic Self Parameters
 Setting Basic Mutual Parameters
 Finishing the Auto-Tune Procedure

Figure 4.5: Start screen of the Auto -Tune procedure

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4.2.1 Starting the Auto-Tune Procedure
To begin the Auto-Tune procedure click the ‘Start Auto-Tune’ button found in the Basic Parameters
section.

Figure 4.6: ‘Start Auto-Tune’ button

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4.2.2 Setting the Sensor Flip State Parameters
After the ‘Start Auto-Tune’ button is clicked, the procedure will begin by displaying the first of three
targets. These targets are used to determine the orientation of the sensor, also known as the Flip State.
For each target, tap the equivalent quadrant of the sensor. The utility will automatically detect the
touch and move on accordingly.

Figure 4.7: Sensor Flip State section of the Auto -Tune procedure

After tapping the third target the utility will determine the orientation of the sensor. Do not touch the
sensor during this time.

4.2.3 Gathering Self and Mutual Baseline Values

After the utility calculates the orientation of the sensor, it will proceed to collect Self and Mutual
capacitance data to use as a baseline. Self capacitance refers to a measurement taken from a single RX
line on the sensor, and mutual capacitance refers to the measurement taken from a single RX / TX node
on the sensor. It is very important to not touch the sensor during this time.

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3.2.4 Setting Basic Self Parameters
This step of the Auto-Tune procedure collects the Self capacitance data used for tuning the controller.
To complete this part in the procedure, the sensor must be touched roughly in the center, such that the
red bar directly above the green square is the tallest. Then adjust the touch such that the two adjacent
bars become equal in height as seen in Figure 4.8. When the utility determines a touch is in the correct
location, a progress bar on the right side of the graph will fill up. Once the bar is completely filled the
utility will collect all the Self capacitance data needed to tune the controller.

Note: This graph collects data from the RX axis. Depending on the rotation of the sensor the touch may
need to be moved up and down or left and right to get the expected results.

Figure 4.8: Self Graph of the Auto-Tune procedure

After the Self capacitance data is collected, the utility will switch to the Mutual Auto-Tune Graph. It is
important to note that while the utility is switching between graphs, please do not touch the sensor to
ensure an accurate Auto-Tune procedure.

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4.2.5 Setting Basic Mutual Parameters
The goal of this step in the Auto-Tune procedure is to touch the controller such that a blue dot appears
and navigates into the box in the center of the graph. Once the dot is in the box, the progress bar on the
right will start to fill up. When full, the utility will capture the Mutual capacitance data from the
controller.

Note: Keep moving about the sensor until the blue dot appears. This box is an expanded view of a
section of the sensor. A touch may move the blue dot very quickly while trying to navigate the dot
inside of the box.

Figure 4.9: Mutual Graph of the Auto -Tune procedure

4.2.6 Finishing the Auto-Tune Procedure

After the Mutual Auto-Tune Graph completes, the data collected is analyzed by the utility to determine
the final parameters. The resulting values are saved to the controller’s registers. These values are the
Self Scan Time, Self Threshold, Mutual Scan Time and Mutual Threshold. These registers may be viewed
and fine tuned by enabling the Self and Mutual tabs in the “Show Advanced Parameters” section of the
Setup tab, clicking the ‘Register Data Window’ icon on the toolbar which can be shown via the “Show
Advanced Parameters” section of the Setup tab or saving the registers to a file.

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4.3 Self Tab
The Self tab is designed for manual tuning of the sensor. The Basic Parameters section contains the
same parameters used by the Auto-Tune procedure to tune the controller. The two register values that
can be changed are ‘Self Scan Time’ and ‘Self Threshold.’ The ‘Self Scan Time’ register value refers to
the quantity of measurements taken on each RX line, while the ‘Self Threshold’ register value refers to
the level a RX line must achieve before it is analyzed further for a touch.

The Visualization section contains the Self Graph that displays the measurements taken from each RX
line in real time. The Information section shows a snapshot of the baselined Self capacitance data so
that the values are readable. Self packets may be logged in real time by clicking the ‘Start Logging’
button. This button when clicked will prompt for a file to write the Self data to. To stop logging Self
data click the “Stop Logging” button that appears in the Information section.

Figure 4.10: Self tab

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3.4 Mutual Tab
The Mutual tab is designed for manual tuning of the sensor. The Basic Parameters section contains the
same parameters used by the Auto-Tune procedure to tune the controller. The two register values that
can be changed are ‘Mutual Scan Time’ and ‘Mutual Threshold.’ The ‘Mutual Scan Time’ refers to the
quantity of measurements taken on each RX / TX node, while the ‘Mutual Threshold’ refers to the level a
RX / TX node must achieve before it is analyzed further for a touch.

The Visualization section contains the Mutual Graph that displays the measurement taken from each RX
/ TX node in real time. The Information section shows a snapshot of the baselined Mutual capacitance
data coming in every tenth of a second so that the values are readable. Mutual capacitance packets
may be logged in real time by clicking the ‘Start Logging’ button. This button when clicked will prompt
for a file to write the Mutual data to. To stop logging Mutual data click the “Stop Logging” button that
appears in the Information section.

Figure 4.11: Mutual tab

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3.5 Touch Tab
The Touch tab is designed for verifying that the controller is tuned and outputting the correct touch
locations. Gestures can also be turned on / off.

Figure 4.12: Touch tab

The Basic Parameters section contains four items:

 Flip State
 Gestures turned on / off
 Ability to save the registers to the controller’s NVRAM
 Ability to save modified registers to a file

The Flip State determines the orientation of coordinates that are sent from the controller. For more
information on Flip State see Figure 4-2 on the MTCH6301 Projected Capacitive Touch Controller Data
Sheet, DS41663A. Gestures are a list of pre-defined touch movements that can be turned on or off. In
the Visualization section of the Touch tab only gestures from Touch ID 0 are shown. However, in the
Information section gestures from all touch IDs are shown.

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The gestures supported by the MTCH6301 are:

Gesture Name Gesture ID In Hexadecimal Gesture Image

Single tap 0x10

Single tap and hold 0x11

Double tap 0x20

Up swipe 0x31

Up swipe and hold 0x32

Right Swipe 0x41

Right Swipe and hold 0x42

Down Swipe 0x51

Down Swipe and hold 0x52

Left Swipe 0x61

Left Swipe and hold 0x62

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Figure 4.13: Touch tab with gestures enabled

Finally, there are two buttons in the Basic Parameters section, ‘Save to Controller’ and ‘Save to File’.
The ‘Save to Controller’ button saves all of the registers to the controller’s non-volatile memory when
clicked. The ‘Save to File’ button determines which register values that been modified from the factory
defaults and saves them to a .csv file. This file allows a controller to be restored to a previously known
state.

To use the current settings in a manufacturing scenario open the Register Window (Toolbar or Menu
must be enabled) and ensure that the custom view is chosen. Based on the register values shown a
series of set register commands will need to be executed on the target controller. To view the format of
these commands open the Raw Data Window (Toolbar or Menu must be enabled) followed by selecting
a few registers at a time in the Register Window and clicking write. Finally, use a firmware command to
write the register values to non-volatile memory.

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The Visualization section shows a graph of the sensor based on the amount of RX and TX channels. The
graph can show up to ten touches where each touch is a different color:

 Touch ID 0: green
 Touch ID 1: red
 Touch ID 2: yellow
 Touch ID 3: blue
 Touch ID 4: dark cyan
 Touch ID 5: purple
 Touch ID 6: white
 Touch ID 7: pink
 Touch ID 8: orange
 Touch ID 9: sky blue

Figure 4.14: Touch tab

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The Diagnostic Graph may be enabled by selecting the “show Advanced Parameters” and “Diagnostic
Mode” in the lower left corner. This gives a visual representation of how the controller determines the
location of a touch. The red line represents the Self capacitance data. Once an RX line reaches a
potential touch threshold, it performs a Mutual capacitance scan, the blue lines. The yellow lines
indicate the search process the firmware undergoes while looking for the maximum activation level.
Points that are not a true maximum are eliminated in favor of the adjacent, more activated, values. The
closest node to a touch is shown by the gray line and dot on the grid. Finally the touch is determined
and shown in the same color as the coordinate graph.

Figure 4.15: Diagnostic Graph

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4.6 Menu and Toolbar
The menu and toolbar are enabled in the advanced parameters section of the Setup tab. They are
designed to easily navigate to some of the advanced features of this utility.

Figure 4.16: Menu and Toolbar

All of the icons that are located in the menu are toolbar from left to right are:

 Open
 Save
 Save As
 Raw Data Window
 Register Window
 Send Commands
 Register Offset
 Baseline Controller
 Freeze / Thaw
 Help
 Toggle Connection

4.6.1 Open
The Open icon allows loading of previously saved configuration value files. When a file is selected, the
values are then loaded into the controller’s registers

4.6.2 Save
The Save icon will overwrite any currently loaded file being used. If no file has been currently opened
then a window will pop up asking what the name of this file should be. When the file being saved to is
determined, all modified register values are saved to the file.

4.6.3 Save As
The Save As icon opens a window asking what file name should be used to save the modified register
values on the controller.

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4.6.4 Raw Data Window
The Raw Data icon opens a window which lists all raw data coming from the controller.

Figure 4.17: Raw Data Window

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4.6.5 Register Data Window
The Register Data icon opens a window that shows any registers that have been modified from the
factory defaults. To view all of the registers click the ‘Show All’ button. To read or write registers check
the corresponding checkbox to the register and click the ‘Read’ or ‘Write’ button.

Figure 4.18: Register Data Window

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4.6.6 Commands Window
The Commands Window icon opens a window that allows commands to be sent to the controller. The
controller will send a response for each message.

Figure 3.19: Controller Commands Window

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4.6.7 Register Offset Window
The Register Offset icon is an advanced feature that allows valid register byte offsets to be read or
written. By default, the values are displayed in decimal. However, to display the value in hexadecimal
start the field with the prefix “0x” (an example: “0xFE”). To provide the value in binary, start the field
with the prefix “0b” (an example: “0b11001111”).

Figure 4.20: Register Offset Window

4.6.8 Baseline Controller

The Baseline Controller icon will perform a software baseline or a hardware baseline to correct potential
problems with the controller.

4.6.9 Freeze / Thaw

This icon will freeze any data Visualization section graph and Information section text data. This allows
an easy way to see how the graph correlates to the data.

4.6.10 Help
The Help icon opens the Welcome window if it is not currently open. The Welcome window explains the
basic features of the utility.

4.6.11 Toggle Connection

This toggles between connecting and disconnecting the controller from the utility.

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