Quantum Research, the Hamble UK-based capacitive touch sensor specialist, has licensed its technology to STMicroelectronics.

ST will use the technology to sell both a standard product line and to add functions to customised products.

"Capacitive touch is the new 'must have' technology," Hal Philipp, CEO of Quantum Research, told an audience at Embedded World in Nuremberg today, February 13, 2007. "It's the largest new market for silicon this decade. All over the world people are scrambling to put capacitive touch into their products."

Philippp reckons the capacitive touch sensor market is a 10 billion unit, $1bn market which is doubling every year. The iPod started it with its wheel control, the iPhone will accelerate it further.

Although Quantum Research is in dispute with Apple over technology relating to the wheel control, Philipp points out that the wheel concept is not protected. "Quantum uses the technology contained in GE's 1978 patent which has now expired. It's in the public domain. No one can say Apple has a patent on the wheel. They have a patent on a variant. And we have a variant which is protected."

Quantum Research's strategy is to license to selected partners. "Quantum is the only company on the planet which can license the technology," said Philipp. "Synaptics, ADI, Cypress and Freescale all have hardwired Asic solutions but they can't license the IP."

The company has also licensed Motorola.