Projected Capacitive Touchscreens for Military

How UICO PCAP Touch Screens Meet Military EMI Requirements:

UICO’s Projected Capacitive (PCAP) touchscreens can meet Military Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) requirements through a combination of design techniques, shielding methods, and material choices. Here are some key considerations:

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1. Shielding

• Conductive Coatings & Mesh: A conductive mesh or Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) coating can be used to provide a Faraday cage effect, reducing emissions and susceptibility to external EMI.

• EMI Shielding Films: Special EMI shielding films can be laminated onto the touchscreen to help reduce emissions while maintaining optical clarity.

• Metallic Grid Integration: Some designs use ultra-fine conductive grids within the glass layers to act as EMI shields.

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2. Grounding & Filtering

• Proper Grounding of Touch Controller: Ensuring the PCAP controller and its associated circuits are properly grounded helps minimize noise and improve EMI resistance.

• Ferrite Beads & EMI Filters: Placing ferrite beads on signal lines and using EMI filters on power and data lines can suppress high-frequency noise.

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3. Controller Design & Firmware Optimization

• Adaptive Frequency Modulation: Military EMI standards often specify immunity to a wide range of frequencies. PCAP controllers with dynamic frequency tuning can avoid interference from specific frequencies.

• Low-Emission Controller ICs: Some touch controllers are designed with lower emissions and better noise immunity.

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4. Environmental & MIL-STD Compliance

• MIL-STD-461 Compliance: Ensuring the touchscreen and associated electronics meet MIL-STD-461 for EMI and EMC compliance.

• MIL-STD-810 for Harsh Environments: Ruggedized coatings and bonding techniques help ensure the touchscreen maintains performance under military conditions.

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5. Optical Bonding

• Reducing Air Gaps: Optical bonding (OCA or OCR) between the touchscreen and display minimizes internal reflections, improving EMI shielding and durability.

• Enhancing Structural Integrity: Optical bonding also improves resistance to vibration and impact, critical for military applications.

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By implementing these techniques, UICO PCAP touchscreens can be designed to meet stringent military EMI requirements while maintaining high performance and reliability.

 

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is crucial in military electronics because it can significantly impact the performance, reliability, and security of critical defense systems. Here’s why EMI control is essential in military applications:

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1. Ensures Mission-Critical Performance

Military electronics, such as radar, communication systems, and navigation equipment, must operate flawlessly in high-stakes environments. EMI can cause malfunctions, signal degradation, or even system failure, which can compromise missions.

2. Prevents Signal Disruptions

Modern military operations rely on secure and uninterrupted communications. EMI can interfere with radio signals, GPS systems, and data transmission, leading to miscommunication or loss of situational awareness.

3. Enhances Electronic Warfare (EW) Resilience

Military adversaries use electronic warfare tactics, including jamming and signal interference. Shielding against EMI helps ensure that military systems remain functional and resistant to enemy attempts to disrupt operations.

4. Reduces Vulnerability to Detection

Uncontrolled EMI emissions can make military assets detectable by enemy forces. Proper EMI shielding helps minimize electronic signatures, reducing the risk of detection and targeting.

5. Ensures Compatibility of Multiple Systems

A single military platform, such as an aircraft or naval vessel, contains numerous electronic systems. EMI management ensures these systems can operate simultaneously without interfering with each other.

6. Meets Military Standards & Compliance

The military has strict EMI/EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) standards such as MIL-STD-461 to ensure that equipment functions properly in extreme environments. Compliance is mandatory for defense contractors and suppliers.

7. Improves Reliability & Longevity

Military electronics are often exposed to extreme conditions, including high radiation, humidity, and battlefield environments. EMI protection enhances durability and prevents premature failure.

 

UICO has found a great fit in the military and defense verticals due to our modern approach in all things touch.
Being able to provide projective capacitive touchscreens with the rugged capabilities of a resistive screen (touch with gloves / harsh weather conditions/ sun light readability) has allowed us to really help out a lot of our customers in this given industry and adhere to EMI requirements.