1. Getting Started
Overview
Description
SNOWPAD is an opensource capacitive multi-touch trackpad designed for Arduino and microcontrollers. You can directly plug Arduino Micro onto SNOWPAD. In addition, it has an external I2C interface so that a user can easily connect SNOWPAD to any microcontroller. Its touch sensing feature is based on mutual capacitive sensing which are popular in modern smartphones and tables. Unlike other trackpads, this product detects 10 touch points simultaneously and outputs ID, x, y, up/down status. So, it is a perfect tool to build a custom multi-touch devices. With SNOWPAD, you can create a great devices such as multi-touch trackpad, keyboard, musical instruments, etc. Or you can use this product as an input interface to your Arduino or microcontroller projects. We provide well documented examples. For example, you can instantly turn SNOWPAD into a multi-touch trackpad!
Technical Details
Size: 87mm x 163mm
Sensing area: with 18TX x 13RX channels
Cover layer: 1mm Acryl
Weight: 81 grams
I2C interface
Controller: Microchip MTCH6301
Multi-touch up to 10 touches
Up to 12-bit resolution coordinate reporting
Install Prerequisite Software
Install Arduino IDE that is available athttp://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
Install Processing environment that is available athttps://www.processing.org/download/
Get Libraries and Sample Codes
We keep all codes for Snowboard at GitHub.
Go to Snowboard page in GitHub at https://github.com/kitronyx/snowpad
Click Download ZIP and unzip the downloaded file. You will find two foldrs arduino and processing. arduino folder contains Arduino library for Snowboard and processing folder contains example PC applications.
Install Arduino Library for Snowboard
Run Arduino IDE and select Sketch - Import Library - Add Library
In the file dialog box, go to <extracted folder>/arduino/ and choose Snowboard.zip
Restart Arduino IDE and go to File - Examples to find out Snowboard library is correctly added to Arduino IDE as shown below
Check out Installing Additional Arduino Libraries if you want to manually add the library or have difficulties in adding it.
Prepare Snowboard
Arduino Micro
Arduino Micro can be plugged on top of the on board socket.
Snowboard
Snowpad's external I2C port is compatible with that of Snowboard.
Other microcontrollers
Connect other microcontroller by using the external I2C port on Snowboard.
Congratulations! Now, you might also want to see the examples of Snowboard.