Explore the various parts of touchscreens

Touchscreens are used in thousands of commercial and consumer applications. They are the primary input component of almost all smartphones and tablets. In addition to mobile devices, touchscreens are used in human-machine interfaces (HMIs), smart appliances, smart watches, computer monitors, infotainment systems, and more. In this article, you will learn more about touch screen components and how they work.

27" Multi-touch Display Module

Touch Sensors

All touch screens have touch sensors. A touch sensor is a component that, as the name implies, is designed to detect or "sense" a touch command. How does a touch sensor work? Touch sensors work in different ways, depending on the specific technology used in the touch screen device. Capacitive touchscreens - the most common type of touchscreen device - use capacitance-based touch sensors. They emit a small electrical charge on the touch sensor layer. When you press it with your finger, you change the charge on the touch sensor layer.

Capacitive touch sensors detect touch commands by looking for changes in the charge of the touch sensor layer. The human body conducts electricity. Therefore, touching the touch sensor layer changes its electrical charge. Your finger actually increases its capacitance, which the capacitive touch screen recognizes as a touch command.

Layers

Touchscreens are made of multiple layers. Depending on the type of touchscreen, these layers may consist of tempered glass or plastic. In resistive touchscreens, these layers have electrodes on their opposite sides. Executing a touch command presses the layers together, bringing the electrodes into contact with each other.

Touch Controller

Touch screens also have a touch controller. The touch controller is located in the middle of the touch screen. It is located behind the touch sensor and in front of the device computer. The touch controller is designed to convert the analog touch signal to a digital touch signal.

Without a touch controller, the touch screen will not respond to your touch commands. The touch sensor may detect your commands, but the touch screen can only process them if a touch controller is present. The touch controller receives the analog signals created by your touch commands and converts them into digital signals that the device can understand.

Computers

Most touchscreens also have computers. Even small touchscreens like smartphones are made with computers. The computer is located at the very back of the touch screen. This is not just a single part. Instead, it consists of multiple parts. Most computers for touchscreens have a central processing unit (CPU), a storage drive, and random access memory (RAM).