Products for USB Sensing and Control Canada flag
Products for USB Sensing and Control

sales inquiries

quotes, distributor information, purchase orders
sales@phidgets.com

technical inquiries

support, advice, warranty, returns, misshipment
support@phidgets.com

website inquiries

corrections or suggestions
web@phidgets.com

Address

Unit 1 - 6115 4 St SE
Calgary AB  T2H 2H9
Canada

PHIDGETS Inc.

Unit 1 - 6115 4 St SE
Calgary AB  T2H 2H9
Canada
+1 403 282-7335

Touch Sensor

ID: 1129_1B

Detect a touch through up to 1/2" of glass or plastic with this low-cost capacitive sensor.

$9.00

Quantity Available: 1000+

Qty Price
5 $8.55
10 $8.10
25 $7.20
50 $6.30
100 $5.85
250 $5.40
500 $4.95
1000 $4.50
50+...

Note: The 1129_1B is identical to the 1129_1, except that you have the option of which size of Phidget cable to include.

The 1129 is a capacitive touch sensor and can detect a touch through plastic, glass, or paper. We recommend a material thickness of up to 1/2”.

The sensor can work as a close proximity sensor, sensing objects at a distance of up to 1/2” from the board in all directions without direct contact.

On the bottom side of the Touch Sensor there is a small exposed metallic pad. A soldered connection can be made to the pad to increase the size and dimensions of the touchable area, such as attaching the sensor to a metallic object or some wire.

Features

  • Measure human touch through materials up to a half inch thick
  • Automatic recalibration to prevent sensor getting locked by dirt or debris
  • Connects to a Phidgets VINT port or voltage input

The 1129_1B has a sensing chip that recalibrates after 45 seconds of contact (as opposed to 60 seconds on the 1129_0). Other than that, this sensor will function the same as the 1129_0. Please refer to the table below to see the differences:

Comparisons with previous versions


Feature 1110 1129_0 1129_1 or 1129_1B
Sensitivity (Thickness of Material) 1/8" 1/2" 1/2"
Sensor value (voltage) when Touching 0 (0V) 1000 (5V) 1000 (5V)
Recalibration Timeout N/A 60s 45s

Interface Boards and Hubs

This sensor can be read by any Phidget with an Analog Input or VINT Hub port. It will connect to either one using a Phidget cable. VINT Hub ports can behave just like Analog Inputs, but have the added flexibility of being able to be used as digital inputs, digital outputs, or ports to communicate with VINT devices. For more information about VINT, see the VINT Overview page.

Product Voltage Inputs
Part Number Price Number of Voltage Inputs Voltage Input Resolution (bits)
1010_0
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 Mini-Format
$80.00 8 10 bit
1011_0
PhidgetInterfaceKit 2/2/2
$50.00 2 10 bit
1018_2B
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8
$80.00 8 10 bit
1018_3B
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8
$80.00 8
1019_1B
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 w/6 Port Hub
$110.00 8 10 bit
1203_2B
PhidgetTextLCD 20X2 : White : Integrated PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8
$70.00 8 10 bit
DAQ1000_0
8x Voltage Input Phidget
$20.00 8 12 bit
HUB0000_1
VINT Hub Phidget
$30.00 6 (Shared) *** 15 bit
HUB0001_0
VINT Hub Phidget
$35.00 6 (Shared) * 15 bit
HUB0002_0
VINT Hub Phidget
$40.00 6 (Shared) *** 15 bit
HUB0007_0
1-Port VINT Hub Phidget
$24.00 1 (Shared) ** 16 bit
HUB5000_0
Wireless VINT Hub
$60.00 6 (Shared) * 16 bit
SBC3003_0
PhidgetSBC4
$120.00 6 (Shared) * 16 bit

Phidget Cables

This sensor requires a Phidget cable to connect it to an InterfaceKit or Hub. You can solder multiple cables together in order to make even longer Phidget cables, but you should be aware of the effects of having long wires in your system. See a full list of Phidget cables below.

Product Physical Properties
Part Number Price Cable Length
3002_0
Phidget Cable 60cm
$2.00 600 mm
3003_0
Phidget Cable 10cm
$1.50 100 mm
3004_0
Phidget Cable 350cm
$3.00 3.5 m
3038_0
Phidget Cable 120cm
$2.25 1.2 m
3039_0
Phidget Cable 180cm
$2.75 1.8 m
CBL4104_0
Phidget Cable 30cm
$1.75 300 mm
CBL4105_0
Phidget Cable 90cm
$2.00 900 mm
CBL4106_0
Phidget Cable 150cm
$2.50 1.5 m
KIT4030_0
Phidget Cable Kit
$10.00 80 mm


Getting Started

Welcome to the 1129 user guide! In order to get started, make sure you have the following hardware on hand:


Next, you will need to connect the pieces:

1129 0 Connecting The Hardware.jpg
  1. Connect the 1129 to the HUB0000 with the Phidget cable.
  2. Connect the HUB0000 to your computer with the USB cable.


Now that you have everything together, let's start using the 1129!

Using the 1129

Phidget Control Panel

In order to demonstrate the functionality of the 1129, we will connect it to the HUB0000, and then run an example using the Phidget Control Panel on a Windows machine.


The Phidget Control Panel is available for use on both macOS and Windows machines. If you would like to follow along, first take a look at the getting started guide for your operating system:


Linux users can follow the getting started with Linux guide and continue reading here for more information about the 1129.

First Look

After plugging in the 1129 into the HUB0000, and the HUB0000 into your computer, open the Phidget Control Panel. You will see something like this:

HUB0000 Panel.jpg


The Phidget Control Panel will list all connected Phidgets and associated objects, as well as the following information:

  • Serial number: allows you to differentiate between similar Phidgets.
  • Channel: allows you to differentiate between similar objects on a Phidget.
  • Version number: corresponds to the firmware version your Phidget is running. If your Phidget is listed in red, your firmware is out of date. Update the firmware by double-clicking the entry.


The Phidget Control Panel can also be used to test your device. Double-clicking on an object will open an example.

Voltage Ratio Input

Double-click on a Voltage Ratio Input object in order to run the example:

1018 Sensors VoltageRatioInput.png


General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:

  • Modify the change trigger and/or data interval value by dragging the sliders. For more information on these settings, see the data interval/change trigger page.
  • Select the 1129 from the Sensor Type drop-down menu. The example will now convert the voltage into a 1 (touch detected) or 0 (touch not detected) automatically. Converting the voltage to a 1 (touch detected) or 0 (touch not detected) is not specific to this example, it is handled by the Phidget libraries, with functions you have access to when you begin developing!


Technical Details

Expand All
General Information

The 1129 is actually a capacitive change sensor. When the capacitance changes the Sensor Value reports 1. If the Sensor Value remains at 1 for longer than 60 seconds, it will recalibrate back down to 0, regardless if the sensor is still being touched. This recalibration can also be done manually by unplugging and plugging the sensor back into the HUB0000 (or compatible product). This is a useful feature because it means that the sensor can be mounted on a flat surface such as a piece of glass or plastic and be reset so that it does not register the change in capacitance caused by the surface it is mounted on. On the bottom side of the 1129 there is a small exposed metallic pad. A soldered connection can be made to the pad to increase the size and dimensions of the touchable area, such as attaching the sensor to a metallic object or some wire. Once the sensor is recalibrated, the Sensor Value will increase to 1 if the attached object is touched anywhere. Although there is an exposed metallic pad on the bottom of the board, the pad does not have to be touched directly to activate the sensor - touching anywhere on the board will activate the sensor. The 1129 can work as a close proximity sensor, sensing objects at a distance of up to 1/2" from the board in all directions without direct contact. The 1129 will also work through a thickness of up to 1/2" of glass, plastic, or paper.

Connector Details

Phidget Cable

Analoginput.jpg

The Phidget Cable is a 3-pin, 0.100 inch pitch locking connector. Pictured here is a plug with the connections labelled. The connectors are commonly available - refer to the Analog Input Primer for manufacturer part numbers.

Customizing Sensitivity

The capacitor labelled C1 is the sensing capacitor. In other words this is the capacitor that determines how sensitive the sensor is. By default it is a 10nF capacitor. By changing this value we can adjust the sensitivity. Smaller capacitors will yield lower sensitivity while higher values will yield higher sensitivity. The integrated circuit (IC) on the 1129 specifies that the acceptable range for C1 is 2nF-50nF. In testing, 2nF will not sense through any thickness of material while 50nF can sense through over 1" of material and even through double paned windows with an air gap of up to 3/4". If the size of your capacitive touch surface is very large, you may have to increase C1 even more. Up to 100nF even. (C1 is soldered onto the board, in order to replace it you will need a soldering iron).

Saturation Error

The DST1200 will fire saturation error events when the nearest reflection is closer than 40mm from the sensor. At this range it is too close for the sensor to accurately determine the range of the object.

The sensor gets stuck at '1' when touched, even after breaking contact

If this happens, it could be due to interference on the power supply. If you're using the 1129 on a Wireless VINT Hub, laptop, or PhidgetSBC, try switching out the power supply to see if the problem persists.

What to do Next

  • Programming Languages - Find your preferred programming language here and learn how to write your own code with Phidgets!
  • Phidget Programming Basics - Once you have set up Phidgets to work with your programming environment, we recommend you read our page on to learn the fundamentals of programming with Phidgets.


Product Specifications

Sensor Properties
Sensor Type Touch (Capacitive)
Controlled By VoltageRatio Input
Sensor Output Type Ratiometric
Detecting Distance Max 12.7 mm
Electrical Properties
Current Consumption Max 500 μA
Output Impedance 1 kΩ
Supply Voltage Min 1.8 V DC
Supply Voltage Max 5.5 V DC
Physical Properties
Operating Temperature Min -40 °C
Operating Temperature Max 85 °C
Customs Information
Canadian HS Export Code 8473.30.00
American HTS Import Code 8473.30.51.00
Country of Origin CN (China)

Documents

Product History

Date Board Revision Device Version Packaging Revision Comment
November 2009 0N/A Product Release
September 2012 1N/A Redesign due to component obsolescence
December 2017 1N/A BRemoved Phidget cable from packaging

This device doesn't have an API of its own. It is controlled by opening a VoltageRatioInput channel on the Phidget that it's connected to. For a list of compatible Phidgets with VoltageRatio Inputs, see the Connection & Compatibility tab.

You can find details for the VoltageRatioInput API on the API tab for the Phidget that this sensor connects to.

Code Samples



Example Options


Downloads

				Make your selections to display sample code.
					

Have a look at our capacitive touch sensors:

Product Sensor Properties
Part Number Price Controlled By Detecting Distance Max
1016_0
PhidgetCircularTouch
$25.00 USB (Mini-USB) 10 mm
1129_1B
Touch Sensor
$9.00 VoltageRatio Input 12.7 mm
HIN1000_0
Touch Keypad Phidget
$12.00 VINT 5 mm
HIN1001_0
Touch Wheel Phidget
$15.00 VINT 5 mm