Military Displays : What is stealthTOUCH?

cindygarland
1 day ago
4 min read

StealthTouch® is a purpose-built printed circuit board engineered for mission-critical military displays for touch applications. It is designed to operate reliably in the most demanding environments while maintaining superior touch performance. By pairing this board with a UICO military grade sensor, this PCAP module will pass the MIL-STD-461 RE102 and RE103. By combining advanced EMI mitigation, rugged design, and proven UICO PCAP touch technology, StealthTouch ensures reliable operation in harsh, real-world military conditions.

StealthTouch delivers for Military Displays:

Reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) to support low-signature and sensitive systems
Exceptional ruggedness meeting Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements
UICO’s best-in-class touch performance, even with water and gloves

By combining advanced EMI mitigation, rugged design, and proven UICO touch technology, StealthTouch ensures reliable operation in harsh, real-world military conditions. By pairing this board with a UICO military grade sensor, the module will pass the MIL-STD-461 RE102 and RE103.

What Is EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)?

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is unwanted electrical “noise” that can disrupt how electronic equipment operates. It comes from both natural and man-made sources, such as radios, radar systems, power supplies, motors, wireless communications, and even nearby electronic devices.

All electronic systems emit some level of electromagnetic energy, and at the same time, they can be affected by energy coming from other systems. When this interference is strong enough, it can cause problems like:

False or missed touch inputs
Erratic system behavior
Display flicker or data errors
Communication disruptions between connected systems

In everyday consumer devices, EMI might be a minor annoyance. In military environments, it can be a serious operational risk.

Why EMI Matters in Military Touchscreen Applications

Military platforms rely on dense electronic environments — vehicles, aircraft, ships, and command centers may contain dozens of radios, navigation systems, sensors, and weapon-control electronics operating at the same time. All of these systems generate electromagnetic signals that can interfere with one another. Touchscreens used in these environments must operate reliably without being disrupted by surrounding electronics, and they must not emit interference that could affect other critical systems.

Key concerns include:

Mission-Critical Reliability

If EMI interferes with a touchscreen’s sensor or controller, it can lead to missed commands or unintended inputs. In mission-critical systems, even brief disruptions can affect situational awareness, navigation, or equipment control.

System-to-System Compatibility

Military equipment must meet strict EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) requirements, meaning devices must both resist incoming interference and limit the interference they generate. Touchscreens that are not properly shielded can degrade the performance of nearby radios, GPS, or targeting systems.

Low-Signature Requirements

In certain applications, especially in tactical vehicles or field equipment, it’s important to minimize detectable electromagnetic emissions. Excess EMI can contribute to a system’s electronic “signature,” making it more detectable by adversary sensors. Low-EMI design helps support stealth and survivability.

Harsh Electrical Environments

Military power systems are often noisy, with voltage spikes, switching power supplies, and high-current equipment. Without proper filtering and grounding, that electrical noise can interfere with touchscreen signal detection, especially in capacitive touch systems that rely on very small electrical changes.

How EMI Can Affect Touchscreens Specifically

Capacitive touch technology works by detecting tiny changes in an electrical field when a finger or glove approaches the sensor. EMI can distort this field, which may cause:

Reduced touch accuracy
False touches (“ghost touches”)
Delayed response
Temporary loss of touch functionality

That’s why military-grade touchscreens require careful engineering of:

Shielding layers
Grounding strategies
Filtered signal paths
Controller tuning
Robust firmware algorithms

Together, these design elements help the touchscreen function accurately even in electrically noisy environments.

Why EMI-Resistant Touchscreens Are Essential for Defense Systems

Military touchscreens are not just displays — they are human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that operators depend on for fast, accurate decision-making. Whether controlling vehicle systems, monitoring sensors, or operating mission software, the touchscreen must remain dependable under all conditions.

Reducing EMI susceptibility and emissions helps ensure:

Continuous system availability
Compliance with military EMC standards
Safe operation alongside sensitive electronics
Reliable performance in tactical and mobile platforms

In short, EMI control isn’t just about performance — it’s about mission readiness and safety.

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Requirements in Military Touchscreens

In military systems, electronic equipment must meet strict Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements to ensure that devices can operate reliably in close proximity without interfering with one another. EMC standards verify two critical factors: that a device is not overly susceptible to external electromagnetic interference (immunity) and that it does not emit excessive electromagnetic energy (emissions) that could disrupt nearby systems such as radios, navigation equipment, sensors, or weapons controls. For projected capacitive (PCAP) touchscreens, which rely on detecting extremely small electrical changes across the sensor grid, maintaining EMC compliance is especially important. Without proper shielding, grounding, filtering, and controller tuning, EMI can degrade touch accuracy or cause false inputs. Military-grade PCAP touchscreens are therefore engineered and tested to meet rigorous military EMC standards, helping ensure dependable operation in electrically noisy environments while supporting low-signature and mission-critical system requirements.

How stealthTOUCH by UICO Provides Superior Military Touch Solutions:

By combining advanced EMI mitigation, rugged design, and proven UICO PCAP touch technology, StealthTouch ensures reliable operation in harsh, real-world military conditions. By pairing this board with a UICO military grade sensor, the module will pass the MIL-STD-461 RE102 and RE103.