What is "resistive touchscreen"?
In the cell phone industry there are two major categories of touchscreen displays: capacitive touchscreens and resistive touchscreens. Resistive touchscreen displays are composed of multiple layers that are separated by thin spaces. Pressure applied to the surface of the display by a finger or stylus causes the layers to touch, which completes electrical circuits and tells the device where the user is touching. As such, resistive type touchscreens require much more pressure to activate than capacitive touchscreens. Examples of devices with resistive touchscreens are the HTC Touch Diamond and the Samsung SGH-i900 Omnia
For example, during operation of a four-wire touchscreen, a uniform voltage is applied to the first sheet. When the two sheets are pressed together, the second sheet measures the voltage as distance along the first sheet, providing the X coordinate. When this contact coordinate has been acquired, the voltage gradient is applied to the second sheet to ascertain the Y coordinate. These operations occur within a few milliseconds, registering the exact touch location as contact is made.
Resistive touchscreens typically have high resolution (4096 x 4096 DPI or higher), providing accurate touch control. Because the touchscreen responds to pressure on its surface, contact can be made with a finger or any other pointing device.
The Basics of Resistive Touch Screen Technology
Resistive LCD touchscreen monitors have a flexible top layer and a rigid bottom layer separated by insulating dots, with the inside surface of each layer coated with a transparent metal oxide. Voltage applied to the layers produces a gradient across each layer. Pressing the flexible top sheet creates electrical contact between the resistive layers, essentially closing a switch in the circuit. The control electronics alternate voltage between this system of layers, the overlay, to get x then y touch coordinates. These x and y coordinates are then relayed to the computer's operating system through the touch screen controller connected to the overlay.
Resistive touchscreen technology possesses many advantage over other touchscreen technologies. Highly resistant and durable, resistive touch screens are less susceptible to contaminants than acoustic wave touchscreens and less sensitive to the effects of severe scratches than capacitive touchscreens are. In addition, resistive technology is more cost-effective for industrial applications than the more expensive Near Field Imaging (NFI) technology. Finally, resistive technology provides better touch sensitivity and resolution than infrared touch technology does.
Because of its versatility and cost-effectiveness, resistive technology is ideal for various markets and applications.
4-Wire, 5-Wire, and 8-Wire Resistive Touchscreens
Resistive touch technology exists in either 4-wire, 5-wire, or 8-wire form. 4-wire resistive technology is primarily restricted to small flatpanels (less than 10.4"). 5-wire touchscreens suffer from spacer dots and Newton rings problems. Neither account for high-level short-term variances between the resistive circuit layers nor have good axis linearity. Ultimately, 8-wire technology seeks to eliminate these deficiencies. 8-wire touchscreens, which are available in a variety of sizes, are less susceptible to Spacer Dots and Newton Rings. They have ligther spacer dots and substantially less problems with Newton rings.
above one can see how the fets switch vcc to Y+ and Y- and the A2D is connected to X+ so the voltage at Vin is proportional where the touch screen is
pressed.the same holds true when fets short X+ and X- then Y+ is measured voltage is proportional to the Y postion
Here is a link to the second type of Touch screen the Capacitive