Traxsys Input Products

1
Traxsys Input Products

• (A wholly owned member of the US Esterline
  Technology group)

2
Contactless a Definition

• Contactless is defined by
• the means for sensing the ball rotation (speed
  and direction), does not contact the ball at any
  point.
• Clearly the ball must contact bearing positions.
  A minimum of 3 points is required for stability.

3
Contactless Trackball Technology The Beginning

• In the late 1990s Logitech produced the first
  optical trackerballs for High Street
  consumption.
• The OEM industry wanted non contacting solutions
  for custom requirements for use in harsh
  environments.
• The optical technology was not available for
  integration and had performance draw backs such
  as contamination with dust and liquids, low speed
  and limited temp range.
• Balls have to have a speckled pattern on the
  surface, which is not desirable, particularly in
  the medical market

4
Why Use Non Contacting Technologies?

• Ball slips on shaft causing loss of counts.
• Mechanical noise of ball on shaft.
• Susceptible to mechanical vibration.
• Difficult to seal against liquids and dust
  contamination.
• Lengthy production calibration.
• In-efficient use of under panel space.
• Limited environmental performance.
• Off set rolling torques.

5
The Search For New Technologies

• We wanted a technology that offered advantages
  over the Logitech Optical technology.
• Through contacts within UK University world, we
  found a Spin off technology developed at
  Cambridge University.
• This technology was based on inductive coupling
  and over the last two of years we have developed
  the technology to meet our requirements.

6
Inductive TechnologyConstruction

• Ball contains a number of tuned coils embedded
  below ball surface.
• Antenna Circuit drives decodes signals from
  ball.
• Coils can be tuned at unique frequencies for
  individual recognition
• Coil/ball absolute position identified.

7
Mechanical Delta

• No precision ground encoder shafts or ball
  bearings.
• No optical encoder wheels or detectors.
• Ball rolls on a 3 fixed point contact.
• Robust efficient use of under panel space.
• Scaleable.

8
System Performance

• Resolution of up to 1024 counts / ball rev.
• Ball speeds of up to 300rpm
• Excellent EMC performance. (DO160D?)
• Extended temp ranges (-25 to 85) possible.
• Submersible IP68.
• Not effected by contaminants (if the ball moves
  so will the cursor)
• Very smooth ball rotational feel.
• Adjustable rolling torque.

9
Benefits

• Minimal moving parts therefore improved.
  reliability.
• More efficient use of below panel space envelope.
• Zero risk from contaminants.
• Third axis options.
• Ambient light tolerant.
• Tolerant to high vibration/ G levels.
• High tolerance to service level activity.
• No speckled pattern on ball as with optical non
  contacting technology. Any ball colour.