3D Gesture Products MGC Series
There are many customers who are considering incorporating 3D sensing that can be operated without touching it into their products, partly due to the influence of corona. However, camera image processing, which is a typical method of 3D sensing, poses a number of hurdles such as technical difficulty, development costs, and the time required to bring products to market.
Microchip offers the electric field type 3D sensor "MGC series" that can realize 3D sensing easily and quickly.
Microhip sells the controller IC "MGC" series that realizes electric field type 3D sensing. We can propose a total package of support up to market launch, such as introduction of debug tools and various manufacturers, rather than ICs alone.
3D Gesture Sensor Principle
Microchip's MGC series utilizes changes in electric field strength from the sensor plane to achieve sensing in three dimensions. The electric field radiated from the sensor surface changes when a hand approaches, and 3D sensing is enabled by detecting the distortion.
Electric field from sensor surface
Electric field change due to hand approach
Output of 3D Gesture to Host
The MGC series has an algorithm that recognizesXYZ coordinates as Gesture operations in the IC, and can simplify the processing of hand movements and positions on the host side. The detection range varies depending on the sensor specifications, but it is about 10 to 15 cm for onlyON/OFF proximity motions, and about 10 to 15 cmfor motion detection such as "waving your hand" or "turning your finger" using the timing of changes in the electric field. It can be achieved from a distance of about 5 to 10 cm.
List of gestures that can be detected by the MGC series
Advantages of electric field detection
The following two methods are typical methods for realizing 3D sensing.
・Camera type
・Infrared type
I have roughly summarized what kind of advantages the electric field type 3D sensing has compared to these methods.
| Made by Microchip Gest IC |
camera | Infrared | |
| Gesture detection | ・Output 24 movements (such as rotation and flick) ・Gesture is processed on the chip |
・Can be operated with multiple fingers ・Gesture must be processed on the host side |
・very limited ・Performance is low |
| range of detection |
・Detection distance is short ・No blind spot |
・Only long distance detection ・The outside of the camera angle is a blind spot |
・Medium distance ・Blind spot |
|
Detection reliability |
・Class No.1 | -Depends on light | Dependent on hand movement and light |
| Design freedom | ・No drilling of curved surfaces ・Free design ・Can be mounted on flat/screen surfaces |
・Deep opening required ・Needs a deep recess |
・Requires multiple openings ・A black cover is required for the light emitting/receiving part. |
| power consumption | ・very few | ・Extremely large | ·big |
| Implementation | ·Easy ・Quick market launch ・Can be integrated into a touch display |
・Extremely complicated | ·complicated |
| development cost | ・Low cost due to single chip ・Can also be used as a touch sensor |
・Extremely expensive development costs |
・Intermediate |
Microchip "MGC" lineup
Microchip's "MGC" series currently sells three types of products. We have summarized the specifications for each of the three types, so if you are considering adopting them, please let us know.
| MGC3030 | MGC3130 | MGC3140-I/MV* | MGC3140-E/MVVAO* | |
| 3D position estimate (x , y, z) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Hopping | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| frequency spread spectrum | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Gesture Port Pins | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Ext. Series Tx Resistors | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Corresponding temperature (degC) | -20 ~ 85 | -20 ~ 85 | -40 ~ 85 | -40 ~ 125 |
| Package | SSOP28 | QFN28 | UQFN48 | UQFN48 |
| Package size (mm) | 7.8 x 10.2 x 1.9 | 5 x 5 x 0.9 | 6 x 6 x 0.5 | 6 x 6 x 0.5 |
| Automotive standard compliant | No | No | No | Yes |
*MGC3140 is listed in 2 patterns because it also includes products that comply with automotive standards.
Detailed product information
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