MGC3130 - E-Field Based 3D Tracking and Gesture

Last modified by Microchip on 2023/11/09 08:55

 

The Microchip MGC3130 is the world’s first electrical-field (E-field) based three-dimensional (3D) tracking and gesture controller. The chip is based on Microchip’s patented GestIC® technology and enables user command input with natural hand and finger movements in free space. The GestIC incorporates the Colibri Suite: Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms which enables a wide range of gesture applications shortening development time for developers.

Utilizing the principles of electrical near-field sensing, the MGC3130 contains all the building blocks to develop robust 3D input sensing systems. Implemented as a low-power mixed-signal configurable controller, it provides a large set of smart functional features with an integrated signal driver, a frequency adaptive input path for automatic noise suppression, and a DSP unit.

Microchip’s on-chip Colibri Suite minimizes processing needs, reduces system power consumption, and results in low software development efforts for fast time-to-market success. The MGC3130 is a unique solution that provides gesture information as well as positional data of the human hand in real-time and allows the realization of a new generation of user interfaces across various industries.
MGC3130 3D gestures include:

  • Flick gestures: A flick gesture is a unidirectional gesture in a quick flicking motion.
  • Circular gestures: A circular gesture is a round-shaped hand movement.
  • Sensor Touch Gestures: Touch, Tap, and Double Tap actions.

Theory of Operation: Electrical Near-Field (E-Field) Sensing

Microchip’s GestIC is a 3D sensor technology that utilizes an E-field for advanced proximity sensing and allows new user interface applications through detection, tracking, and classification of a user’s hand or finger motion in free space. E-fields are generated by electrical charges and propagate three-dimensionally around the surface.

Applying Direct Voltages (DC) to an electrode results in a constant electric field. Applying Alternating Voltages (AC) makes the charges vary over time and thus, the field. When the charge varies sinusoidal with frequency f, the resulting electromagnetic wave is characterized by wavelength λ = c/f, where c is the wave propagation velocity - in a vacuum (the speed of light). In cases where the wavelength is much larger than the electrode geometry, the magnetic component is practically zero and no wave propagation takes place. The result is quasi-static electrical near the field that can be used for sensing conductive objects such as the human body.

Microchip’s GestIC technology uses transmit (Tx) frequencies in the range of 100 kHz which reflects a wavelength of about three kilometers. With electrode geometries typically less than fourteen by fourteen centimeters, this wavelength is much larger in comparison. When a person’s hand or finger intrudes on the electrical field, the field becomes distorted. The field lines are drawn to the hand due to the conductivity of the human body itself and shunted to ground. The three-dimensional electric field decreases locally. Microchip’s GestIC technology uses a minimum number of four receiver (Rx) electrodes to detect the E-field variations at different positions to measure the origin of the electric field distortion from the varying signals received. The information is used to calculate the position, track movements, and classify movement patterns (gestures).

The illustrations below show both the undistorted idle surface field and the distorted field from an earth-grounded hand in the electric field. The proximity of the hand causes a compression of the equipotential lines and shifts the Rx electrode signal levels to a lower potential which can be measured.

Undistorted Field

Undistorted Field

Hand causing Distorted Field

Distorted Field

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Aurea Development GUI for MGC3130

The Aurea evaluation software demonstrates Microchip’s GestIC technology and its features and applications. Aurea provides visualization of MGC3130-generated data and access to GestIC Library controls and configuration parameters.

Aurea contains the following capabilities:

  • Visualization of hand position and user gestures
  • Visualization of sensor data
  • Control of sensor features
  • MGC3130 GestIC Library update
  • Analog Front End parameterization
  • Colibri Signal Processing parameterization
  • Electrode capacitance measurement
  • Logging of sensor values and storage in a log file
  • Sniffing of MGC3130 I2C™ traffic via Saleae Logic Analyzer

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AUREA Features

Aurea evaluation software

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GestIC Technology Aurea Introduction Tutorial

Getting Started with GestIC Technology using Aurea Development Software

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GestIC Technology Tutorial – Colibri Suite Parameterization Introduction

Colibri Suite Parameterization Introduction

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MGC3130 Parameterization Using Aurea GUI - Analog Front-End (AFE)

Analog Front-End Parameterization using Aurea GUI

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MGC3130 Parameterization Using Aurea GUI - Position Tracking

Position Tracking Parameterization using Aurea GUI

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MGC3130 Parameterization Using Aurea Graphical User Interface (GUI) - System Start-Up

System Start-Up Parameterization Using Aurea GUI

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MGC3130 Parameterization Using Aurea GUI - HMM Gesture Recognition

HMM Gesture Recognition Parameterization using Aurea GUI

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MGC3130 Parameterization Using Aurea GUI - Approach Detection

Approach Detection Parameterization using Aurea GUI

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MGC3130 Parameterization Using Aurea GUI - Touch Detection

Touch Detection Parameterization using Aurea GUI

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MGC3130 Parameterization Using Aurea GUI - Air Wheel

Air Wheel Parameterization using Aurea GUI

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MGC3130 Parameterization Using Aurea GUI - Noise Power

Noise Power Parameterization using Aurea GUI

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MGC3130 Parameterization Using Aurea GUI - Gesture Port

Gesture Port Parameterization using Aurea GUI

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