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mouser.com/vishay / 15 Figure 1: Dashboards that utilize Human Machine Interaction (HMI) are common on today's modern automobiles. (Source: Vishay) application specifications. This allows for the measurement of force on a given surface for input detection, proximity, and gesture control of the center console, and the screen backlight for contrast regulation. Force sensing is understood as an input or control function that requires a force or pressure, however strong, to trigger a function. Figure 3: Force-sensing implementation example (Source: Vishay) It can be employed so that a false detection from an accidental brush over a touch screen or button can be avoided and expand on input possibilities, such as coupling this with menu selections. The low-profile AEC-Q101-qualified VCNL3030X01 proximity sensor was designed to have high sensitivity with a programmable driver current through the internal infrared emitter that can be adjusted in 10mA steps. This sensor is a great choice for a force-sensing application, where fine-tuning sensor performance to the given mechanical setup is of key importance. To implement this function, the sensor is placed underneath a surface where a force will be applied (Figure 2). The sensor's high sensitivity in the region of 3mm to 10mm allows for small changes in the surface displacement to be detected. This distance will define the possible deflection resolution, with 200μm being possible at higher distances, down to 20μm with the surface optimally placed between 3mm-4mm above the sensor. The amount of displacement of the surface above the sensor will relate to a certain force, and so a threshold for the amount of force that needs to be applied to trigger an event can be set. The 16bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) resolution allows for a high dynamic range, such that the sensor will not saturate at the given operating condition. A force-sensing implementation example is shown in Figure 3. Learn More VCNL3030X01 Proximity Sensors "Force sensing is understood as an input or control function that requires a force or pressure, however strong, to trigger a function."