Cypress’s TrueTouch solution with single-layer sensor powers touchscreen on Vanzo smart phone

Mobile World Congress 2013, SPAIN: Cypress Semiconductor Corp. announced that Vanzo Communication Inc., a provider of mobile handset solutions based in China, has selected the TrueTouch touchscreen solution for its X1 series Android smartphone.

The touchscreen uses Cypress’s SLIM (single-layer independent multi-touch) sensor to deliver high-performance accuracy and responsiveness with a true single-layer sensor panel. The SLIM sensor enables the phone to track common gestures such as pinch, zoom, flick, drag, swipe, and others requiring more than two fingers.

SLIM is the industry’s first true single-substrate, single-layer Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) touchscreen sensor in production. Unlike competitive solutions, it requires no additional insulation layers or bridges. The elimination of a second sensor layer can save mobile device manufacturers 40 percent or more on sensor costs, which is often the most expensive part of the touchscreen module. A single-layer structure also greatly reduces the thickness of the sensor module.

“Many smartphones on the market today in China do not offer capacitive touchscreens because of the cost, or they offer only basic touch features,” said John Carey, senior director of TrueTouch Marketing at Cypress. “The SLIM sensor enables outstanding multi-touch and gesture tracking for the Vanzo X1 series, and we believe the top-notch touchscreen interface will serve as a true differentiator for smartphones in high-volume markets.”

“The Cypress single-layer SLIM sensor delivers excellent multi-touch touchscreen performance and contributes to the sleek design of our X1 series phones, while still allowing us to offer them at a competitive price-point for the high-volume smartphone market in China,” said Liu Junming, GM of Vanzo.

Traditional capacitive touchscreens use a two-layer sensor to deliver the accuracy and linearity required for today’s user experience. Cypress’s proprietary algorithms interface with the single-layer SLIM sensor to deliver two-layer performance for an unparalleled combination of user experience and cost sensitivity.

The SLIM sensor can be deposited directly on the cover glass to create the thinnest touchscreen phones ever. The sensor pattern for SLIM is even more unique in that it can eliminate the requirement for a side bezel, normally about 2 mm on each side of the end product. This feature enables borderless display modules that allow OEMs to use larger displays without changing the form factor of the phone.