QUANTUM RESEARCH APPLICATION NOTE AN-KD01

QMatrix Panel Design Guidelines

Applies to all 16 key+ QT60xxx QMatrix ICs

10 October 2002
Quantum's QMatrix controllers use sequentially scanned transverse electrodes composed of two parts;
this differs markedly when compared with the single-ended electrodes used with QT1xx and QT3xx devices.
Transverse electrodes pump charge from one electrode to the other; disturbances in the amount of charge
received are detected and processed to become touch detections. This technology is based on
charge-transfer (or, 'QT') methods, which have been patented by Quantum.
Transverse electrodes, while easy to design, benefit from a few design rules to optimize performance. These
rules help to increase signal deflection from touch, while minimizing the amount of baseline signal which can
cause signal saturation and increased signal drift.
An overview of matrix scanning systems
Transverse electrodes use pulse-driven rows (X)
and charge-receiving columns (Y) of traces. For
each key, an X line couples into the driven
electrode, and a Y line is connected to the
receive electrode (Figure 1). If there are 8 X
lines and 4 Y lines, 32 possible keys can be
used.

Figure 1 XY Matrix Configuration

The physical placement of keys does not have to

follow the schematic X-Y representation of the
matrix; keys can be located anywhere on a panel
and can be mixed up in sequence.
Keys can be of a wide variety of sizes and
shapes. A large 'Stop' or 'Enter' key can be
located within the same matrix as small keys;
the chip will automatically calibrate each key and
the sensitivity of each key can be independently
adjusted via the Setups process.
During sensing, one or more digital pulses are
applied to one X line to force charge across the keys on that line; the pulses are applied as a burst. During
the rising or falling edges of these pulses, a single Y line is gated into a charge sampling circuit (often, just a
capacitor) via a mux. Due to the capacitive cross-coupling of the interleaved key design, there is always a
substantial amount of charge received from key onto
Figure 2 Field Lines from X to Y Electrodes
the corresponding Y line. At the end of the burst of
pulses, the accumulated charge is measured and
processed; then, the device goes on to sample the
overlying panel
next key in the matrix.

X
electrode

cmos
driver

2002 QRG Ltd.

Y
electrode

When the charge is pumped through the key

structure, it flows through the overlying panel material
(Figure 2). The fields arc through the material into the
Y electrode to the waiting charge sample circuit.
When the key is touched from above, some of this
charge is diverted and absorbed by the human body.
As a result the amount of charge pumped into the Y
the electrode drops. If the signal drops enough, a
valid detection is registered.

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An overlying panel is important to make the

matrix work well. Extremely thin panels or films
will not allow much charge to propagate from X
to Y, and as a result touch sensitivity will
degrade.

Figure 3 Example Key Designs

Design considerations for an electrode pair

The design of a QMatrix electrode pair is very
similar to that of a mechanical membrane key.
Many styles can be used for the keys: parallel
lines, serpentine and spiral traces are all
acceptable. However, the line widths and spacings are important and should be optimized as described
below.
PARALLEL LINES

SERPENTINE

SPIRAL

QMatrix keys require the exposure of the field lines to the human finger; as a result, keys that are smaller in
area than a finger will have lower then optimal signal gain. Conversely, keys that are larger than about 1.5x
the diameter of a finger will not benefit much from further increases in size; however larger keys can be
accommodated for design purposes (i.e. to make 'shift'
and 'return' keys on keyboards).
Figure 4 Trace Dimensions Inside a Key
Narrow sections of keys will be relatively insensitive. For
example, triangular key layouts will be insensitive in the
corners. To combat this, key electrode patterns should if
possible be slightly larger than the desired 'sweet spot' of
touch. In the case of a triangular key graphic (like an
arrow-shaped key), the actual underlying electrode
pattern could be round, with a diameter that
encompasses the whole area of expected touch
including the corners.

W = S = 1/2 Panel Thickness

X Electrode Element

Y Electrode Element

Line & Space Trace Dimensions Within a Key

See Figure 4. Within a key, the line width and spacing should be controlled to achieve optimal signal
deflection with touch (key gain). With thicker panels, these dimensions should increase. Normally the
parameters W and S inside a key are the same, and should be about the thickness of the overlying panel.
For example, with a panel thickness of 2.5mm, these dimensions should be about 1.25mm. Keep in mind
that this rule is an approximation and dimensions can deviate with reasonable results.
On flex-circuit matrix panels, the X and Y lines can be placed on opposite sides of the flex, eliminating the
need for a separate insulating layer between traces.
The fields within the keys will propagate through the
Figure 5 Overall Key Layout
flex material to the surface of the panel material very
2W
well.
S
On PCB based matrix panels, the X and Y electrodes
within the keys should preferably both be on the panel
side of the PCB unless the PCB is very thin (0.6mm
max).

2002 QRG Ltd.

Copper electrode borders

Copper borders connected to X drive around the
electrodes (Figure 5) will assist with moisture immunity
and will also terminate the keys touch response at the
border of the key. Moisture immunity is improved by
having the X drive signal excite the moisture film
around the periphery of the key through the panel. A
wider periphery yields better moisture suppression.

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A grounded border around a key will conversely make

moisture immunity worse, since the film will become
more capacitively coupled to ground and will cause a
signal drop. Grounded borders or pours are thus to be
avoided.

Figure 6 X-Y Trace Routing

Wrong
X

A thicker border also improves key gain near the edges

of the key pattern and will help to detect off-center
touches.

PCB
Y

Trace Routing

Right
X

X and Y traces that are next to each other or exactly on

opposite sides of the PCB or flex will create additional
unwanted charge coupling (Figure 6). If the total
amount of stray X-Y coupling is high enough the extra
signal levels can saturate the circuit, with the result that
one or more keys may not function. The problem is
much more pronounced with thin flex-circuit materials
than with standard thickness (1.6mm, 0.062) PCB
materials.

Right
X

Similarly, X-Y traces that cross on opposite sides of a

PCB should have a minimum of cross sectional
coupling. Neck fat traces down to a minimum width in
the crossing area.

X-Y traces that run in parallel (Figure 6, top left

drawing) can set up fields in the overlying panel that
mimic key fields as shown in Figure 2. This can lead to unintended keys in odd locations.
Stray X-Y coupling and unintended keys can be reduced or eliminated by following a few simple guidelines:
1. Keep X-Y trace pairs separated by a ground pour or trace. If this is not possible, separate them by as
wide a distance as possible.
2. Do not route X-Y pairs exactly on opposing sides of a PCB; if this is unavoidable, keep the
overlapping traces as short and as narrow as possible.
3. Where X-Y pairs must cross, try to keep the crossing at 90 degrees and use thin traces.
Figures 7 shows where unintended keys typically occur; Figure 8 shows how to correct this.
Panel materials & Graphics
Any non-conductive material can be used as an overlying panel material. With proper electrode design the
fields can readily penetrate 10cm thicknesses of glass and ceramics, and 5cm of plastics.
Either surface of the panel may be screened with an image or have a plastic overlay applied without
compromising key performance.
However, the graphic ink should also
be non-conductive.
Figure 7 - Unintended Keys

The PCB or flex material can be

bonded to the underside of the panel
using a variety of adhesives. The
most commonly used materials are
2-sided adhesive sheets from
companies such as 3M. 3M makes a
number of industrial adhesive sheets
specifically designed for the
manufacture of membrane
keyboards. 3M-467MP (2.0 mil acrylic

2002 QRG Ltd.

Unintended keys
X
Y

Figure 8 - Corrected Routing

X

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adhesive) and 3M-468MP (5.0 mil acrylic adhesive) are both recommended. These can be rolled on to
eliminate air voids.
It is important that the matrix PCB or flex be firmly attached to the overlying panel. Mechanical instabilities
due to flexing can cause signal shifts that will have a negative impact on key sensing stability.

Quantum is committed to seeing that our QProx devices are implemented by our customers in as
trouble-free a manner as possible. If a question arises, give us a call. One of our engineers will do their best
to see that you have an answer as quickly as possible.

USA

UK

Quantum Research Group Ltd.

651 Holiday Drive Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
tel +1 (412) 391-7367
fax +1 (412) 291-1015

Quantum Research Group Ltd.

1 Mitchell Point, Ensign Way
Hamble, Hants SO31 4RF
tel +44 (023) 8056 5600
fax +44 (023) 8045 3939

techsupport@qprox.com
www.qprox.com

2002 QRG Ltd.

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