ATMXTS100-CUR - maXStylus Active Stylus ASIC | Microchip

Active Stylus for Tablets and E-Notebooks

The ATMXTS100-CUR fits tablet and e-notebook stylus subsystems because it is purpose-built as a maXStylus Gen I active stylus ASIC: it integrates the pen drive and capacitive sensing signal chain in a single die rather than a discrete transmit/receive solution, reducing component count and layout area in space-constrained mobile devices. In a typical design it sits between the digitizer electrode stack and the host application processor, driving the stylus excitation signals and returning digitized pen-position data over the host interface defined in the Microchip datasheet. The performance consideration is ecosystem lock-in: the ASIC works within the maXStylus protocol, so the pen cartridge, digitizer, and controller must be qualified together. Against finger-only maXTouch controllers, this part adds pen precision such as annotation and handwriting, which is the entire reason to accept its ecosystem constraints in a consumer tablet or digital notebook design.

Signature Capture Terminals

Point-of-sale and kiosk signature-capture terminals benefit from the ATMXTS100-CUR because pen input on these devices demands higher positional accuracy than finger tracking, and an active stylus ASIC delivers that precision. The maXStylus Gen I architecture processes the coupled stylus signal and outputs coordinate data to the terminal's host controller, allowing a single ASIC to replace the discrete analog front end previously required for pen digitizers. Integration effort is dominated by the mechanical alignment of stylus excitation with the sensor stack; electrically, the design centers on the ASIC plus standard decoupling and host-interface routing. Compared with resistive digitizers historically used for signatures, the capacitive active-stylus approach offers better durability and optical clarity, while the trade-off is dependence on the maXStylus ecosystem rather than commodity parts, so designers should secure long-term supply agreements given the single-distributor availability observed as of 2026-09-19.

Industrial Operator Panels with Pen Input

Industrial human-machine interface panels that require gloved-hand fallback plus fine pen input can use the ATMXTS100-CUR as the stylus engine of the touch subsystem. The ASIC's integrated maXStylus signal processing offloads pen tracking from the main controller, which is valuable in industrial designs where the host CPU is budget-constrained. Implementation follows the Microchip maXStylus reference design: connect the ASIC to the digitizer stack, provide a stable supply per the datasheet, and communicate results to the panel controller over the supported host bus. The key consideration is environmental: verify the operating temperature range in the datasheet against the enclosure derating requirements of the industrial environment, since broker summaries do not expose the temperature grade implied by the -CUR suffix. Availability shown in broker channels (over 10000 pcs as of 2026-09-19) supports prototype and low-volume builds, but production programs should confirm factory-direct lead times.

Educational and Creative Drawing Tablets

Entry-level drawing tablets and classroom e-learning devices use the ATMXTS100-CUR where an active stylus is required at consumer cost points. The maXStylus Gen I ASIC's single-chip integration lowers the bill of materials versus multi-chip pen solutions, which matters in cost-sensitive educational hardware. The device handles the stylus excitation and sensing pipeline internally, presenting only a host interface and standard power connections to the board designer. Performance-wise, the ASIC's dedicated signal path supports the latency and positional accuracy expectations of handwriting and sketching, though exact sampling-rate figures must be taken from the Microchip datasheet since they are not published in distributor summaries. Designers should plan firmware provisioning around Microchip's maXStylus tools and confirm the tape-and-reel packing quantity matches their manufacturing volumes before release, given the part's niche distribution profile.

Medical Form-Filling and Annotation Devices

Medical charting terminals and prescription-annotation tablets require precise pen input with clean power and reliable operation, and the ATMXTS100-CUR provides the stylus ASIC function within the maXStylus ecosystem. Its ROHS3-compliant, lead-free construction aligns with environmental requirements common in medical procurement, though medical qualification (e.g., any additional device-level testing) remains the system integrator's responsibility. In the signal chain the ASIC drives and senses the stylus against the digitizer and forwards coordinates to the host, keeping analog touch processing off the main compute board. A design consideration is verifying the temperature grade and package reliability data from the Microchip datasheet rather than broker listings, and planning a lifecycle check with Microchip because the part shows single-distributor distribution as of 2026-09-19, which can affect long-term availability for regulated products with long service lives.

Stylus Accessory and Refill Electronics

Active pen accessories - replacement styli, pen modules, and aftermarket refills - can incorporate the ATMXTS100-CUR where the accessory implements the maXStylus protocol natively rather than relying on the tablet-side ASIC alone. The ASIC integrates the pen-side excitation and sensing support needed for compatibility with maXStylus digitizers, allowing accessory makers to guarantee protocol compliance with a qualified die rather than reverse-engineered circuits. Design-in is driven by Microchip's maXStylus reference documentation; the mechanical pen form factor and battery management dominate the engineering effort, while the ASIC presents standard power and interface connections. Accessory vendors should note that Tape & Reel packing suits automated assembly of the small ASIC, and that stocking depth seen at brokers (10953 pcs as of 2026-09-19) should be validated against any volume commitments before launching an accessory product line.