ATMXT1386E-Z2U - maXTouch 1386-Node Touch Controller | Microchip
MPN: ATMXT1386E-Z2U β End of Life| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
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| 1 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 10 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 100 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 500 | $0 | $0.00 |
| 1,000 | $0 | $0.00 |
ATMXT1386E-Z2U Overview
A capacitive touchscreen controller is a type of sensor interface IC that measures mutual capacitance changes across a touch sensor grid, classifies and tracks finger touches, and reports coordinates to a host processor. Within the system hierarchy, it sits in the signal chain between the touch sensor (a patterned ITO or similar electrode layer on the display) and the host MCU or application processor, forming part of the broader human-machine interface (HMI) subsystem.
Key features include the 1386 mutual-capacitance node count, which suits medium-to-large touch panels; the patented charge-transfer acquisition engine, which delivers high signal-to-noise measurement accuracy; and multi-touch tracking of up to 16 touches. The high-performance architecture enables fast response and unlimited-touch reporting up to the 16-touch limit, making the device suitable for demanding interactive displays.
Technically, the mXT1386E uses a unique charge-transfer acquisition engine implementing the QMatrix capacitive sensing method patented by Atmel. Coupled with a state-of-the-art 32-bit AVR CPU, the entire touchscreen sensing solution can measure, classify and track finger touches with a high degree of accuracy. As a multi-chip (4-chip) solution, the family coordinates sensing across the node array within one firmware-managed platform.
Typical applications include tablet and e-reader touchscreens, industrial HMI panels, and consumer electronics displays requiring robust multi-touch performance with gloved-hand and noise immunity characteristic of the maXTouch platform.
Design consideration: this part is a multi-chip solution, so verify board space, mechanical stacking and firmware/configuration compatibility against the replacement controller before redesign. Note that Microchip has officially recommended the ATMXT1066T2 as the alternative touch controller for this family.
This page synthesizes distributor sourcing data, the manufacturer-recommended replacement, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for ATMXT1386E-Z2U β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ATMXT1066T2
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ATMXT1386E-Z2U Specifications
| Product Type | Capacitive Touchscreen Controller |
| Product Family | maXTouch (mXT1386E) |
| Touch Node Count | 1386 nodes |
| Solution Architecture | Multi-chip (4 chips) |
| Core Technology | 32-bit AVR microcontroller |
| Sensing Method | QMatrix charge-transfer (mutual capacitance) |
| Maximum Touch Points | 16 touches |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL - recommended alternative ATMXT1066T2 |
ATMXT1386E-Z2U standard Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for ATMXT1386E-Z2U (standard package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for ATMXT1386E-Z2U.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
ATMXT1386E-Z2U is suitable for 6 applications: Tablet and E-Reader Touchscreens, Industrial HMI Panels, Interactive Kiosks and POS Terminals, Automotive Infotainment Touch Displays, Medical Equipment Touch Interfaces, Smart Appliances and IoT Control Panels.
Tablet and E-Reader Touchscreens
The ATMXT1386E-Z2U fits medium-sized tablet and e-reader displays where its 1386 mutual-capacitance nodes map to a dense electrode grid. The 16-touch limit and 32-bit AVR tracking engine support multi-finger gestures and palm rejection with fast response, which is important for smooth scrolling and handwriting on portable devices. The QMatrix charge-transfer method provides strong noise immunity against display refresh interference. As the part is EOL, new tablet designs should adopt the ATMXT1066T2, while existing products can source residual stock for service and repair.
Recommended
Industrial HMI Panels
Industrial human-machine interface panels benefit from the maXTouch platform's noise robustness in electrically harsh environments near motors, relays and switching supplies. The ATMXT1386E-Z2U's charge-transfer acquisition engine accurately classifies touches across 1386 nodes even with gloved operation or water droplets on the panel, and the 16-touch capability supports multi-operator or gesture-driven control surfaces. Because production has ended, maintenance engineers should qualify the ATMXT1066T2 and update maXTouch configuration objects during the next board revision rather than relying on broker stock.
Recommended
Interactive Kiosks and POS Terminals
Point-of-sale and self-service kiosk terminals use multi-touch capacitive controllers to deliver smartphone-like interaction on customer-facing displays. The ATMXT1386E-Z2U handles up to 16 simultaneous touches across its 1386-node array, enabling pinch-zoom, on-screen signature capture and multi-user input. The 32-bit AVR core performs classification and tracking onboard, offloading the host processor. For new kiosk platforms, designers should specify the ATMXT1066T2 to guarantee supply, reusing the maXTouch firmware toolchain and configuration framework for a controlled migration.
Recommended
Automotive Infotainment Touch Displays
maXTouch controllers are widely used in automotive center-stack and cluster displays, where mutual-capacitance sensing with charge-transfer acquisition withstands LED backlight noise, RF interference and wide temperature swings. The ATMXT1386E-Z2U's 1386-node array and 16-touch tracking support large navigation screens with multi-finger gestures. EOL status makes it unsuitable for new automotive programs; existing service stock should be audited for date codes, and the ATMXT1066T2 family should be evaluated for carry-over designs per Microchip's migration recommendation.
Recommended
Medical Equipment Touch Interfaces
Medical diagnostic and monitoring equipment requires reliable, hygienic capacitive touch input that works through protective glass overlays and with gloved hands. The maXTouch charge-transfer sensing of the ATMXT1386E-Z2U delivers accurate touch classification across 1386 nodes, supporting intuitive gesture-driven user interfaces on patient monitors and portable diagnostic devices. Because the part is discontinued, medical device manufacturers should plan regulatory-compliant migration to the ATMXT1066T2, verifying that firmware configuration changes do not trigger re-certification of the human-machine interface subsystem.
Recommended
Smart Appliances and IoT Control Panels
Smart home appliances, thermostats and connected control panels increasingly replace mechanical buttons with glass-front capacitive touch surfaces. The ATMXT1386E-Z2U provides a 1386-node sensing array with up to 16 touches, enabling slider, wheel and multi-finger gestures on appliance fascias, while the onboard 32-bit AVR reports processed touch data to the main IoT controller, simplifying host firmware. For new appliance platforms the EOL status rules it out; adopt the ATMXT1066T2 with updated maXTouch configuration to preserve gesture functionality with guaranteed long-term supply.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ATMXT1386E-Z2U β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ATMXT1066T2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology (Atmel legacy) | Microchip Technology |
| Touch Node Count | 1386 nodes | 1066 nodes |
| Sensing Method | QMatrix charge-transfer (mutual capacitance) | maXTouch mutual-capacitance charge-transfer |
| Core | 32-bit AVR | maXTouch platform core |
| Lifecycle Status | EOL | Active (recommended alternative) |
Key Differentiators
- Largest node count in this generation of maXTouch (vs ATMXT1066T2)
- 16-touch multi-touch support (vs ATMXT1066T2)
- Supply continuity trade-off (vs ATMXT1066T2)
Design Notes
The ATMXT1386E-Z2U is EOL. Do not start new designs with this part; Microchip officially recommends the ATMXT1066T2 as the alternative. Because the ATMXT1386E-Z2U is a 1386-node 4-chip multi-chip solution and the ATMXT1066T2 is a 1066-node device, electrode mapping, maXTouch configuration objects and host firmware touch-report parsing all require re-verification during migration - budget firmware and panel re-characterization time in the project plan.
Mutual-capacitance touch controllers like the mXT1386E are sensitive to noise from display backlight inverters and switching regulators. Follow the maXTouch PCB layout guidance: route sensor lines on an inner layer shielded by ground, keep the charge-transfer sense traces away from high-dv/dt nets, and star-ground the analog sensing domain. Verify touch performance with the actual display powered at maximum brightness, since LCD noise is the dominant field-failure cause for touch controllers.
Estimated: as a 4-chip maXTouch solution, the ATMXT1386E-Z2U draws more supply current than single-chip maXTouch controllers; exact figures are not published in the sources reviewed ([DATA_NEEDED: supply current]). Size the analog supply regulator with margin over the single-chip estimate and add local decoupling per chip. Confirm authoritative current figures from the official mXT1386E datasheet before finalizing power budget.
Compliance Information
Compliance data not present in the sources reviewed. Confirm RoHS/REACH status on the official Microchip product page for ATMXT1386E.
