1016 User Guide
Required Hardware
- A 1016 PhidgetCircularTouch and custom USB cable
- A Computer
Connecting the Pieces
- Connect the Phidget to your computer using the USB cable
Testing Using Windows
Phidget Control Panel
In order to demonstrate the functionality of the 1016, the Phidget Control Panel running on a Windows machine will be used.
The Phidget Control Panel is available for use on both macOS and Windows machines.
Windows
To open the Phidget Control Panel on Windows, find the 
icon in the taskbar. If it is not there, open up the start menu and search for Phidget Control Panel
macOS
To open the Phidget Control Panel on macOS, open Finder and navigate to the Phidget Control Panel in the Applications list. Double click on the icon to bring up the Phidget Control Panel.
For more information, 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 1016.
First Look
After plugging the 1016 into your computer and opening the Phidget Control Panel, you will see something like this:
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 If your Phidget is listed in red, your firmware is out of date.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.
Testing Using Mac OS X
- Go to the Quick Downloads section on the Mac OS X page.
- Download and run the Phidget OS X Installer
- Click on System Preferences >> Phidgets (under Other) to activate the Preference Pane
- Make sure your device is properly attached
- Double click on your device's objects in the listing to open them. The Preference Pane and examples will function very similarly to the ones described above in the Windows section.
Testing Using Linux
For a general step-by-step guide on getting Phidgets running on Linux, see the Linux page.
Using a Remote OS
We recommend testing your Phidget on a desktop OS before moving on to remote OS. Once you've tested your Phidget, you can go to the PhidgetSBC, or iOS pages to learn how to proceed.
Technical Details
Device Inputs
The PhidgetCircularTouch appears to the Phidget software libraries as an InterfaceKit. Sliding a finger around the touch sensor varies the Analog Input 0 value from 0 to 1000 in approximately 125 discrete steps. When the finger is removed, the final measured value is retained. Two Digital Inputs are also utilized to convey additional information: Digital Input 0 appears True when contact is made with the electrodes on the Phidget, and Digital Input 1 appears True when a finger or contacting object comes in close proximity to the electrodes. The two Digital Inputs are intended to be used as a quality measure, allowing the developer to trust the Analog Input value only when both Digital Inputs are true.
| Input | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Analog Input 0 | 0 - 1000 | Analog value representing touch position |
| Digital Input 0 | True/False | True indicates physical contact with electrode |
| Digital Input 1 | True/False | True indicates proximity to electrodes |
If it is desired to use the touch slider as an array of buttons, or a combination of an array of buttons and a smaller slide-touch area, one must only interpret specific sub-ranges of sensor values differently in software depending upon the intended use. If sub-ranges of values are to be used as buttons, it is recommended that a small range of sensor values be left between the sub-ranges where a null-response is observed.
Dielectric Separation
The PhidgetCircularTouch has been left without components on the contact side so that it may be mounted behind a sheet of glass or plastic. The recommended thickness of separation material is 1/8 inch. Silicon adhesive is recommended when attaching the Phidget to the material; standing the PhidgetCircularTouch off or creating space between the separation material and the Phidget can cause false-triggering to occur.
It should be noted that materials thicker than 1/8” may work, but will require a larger surface area of contact to ensure proper triggering (i.e.: two fingers instead of one). Increasing the surface area of the contacting object helps to increase the measurable capacitance at the point of contact that further seperation causes to reduce, balancing these factors out.
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.
