News and New Products

Tiny trackball meets portable needs

By Bill Schweber -- EDN, 2/5/2004

Although the trackball has been a popular interface, other devices have superseded it for many applications. ITT Industries claims that its tiny trackball is the industry’s first miniature, which may restore the trackball’s position. The Trackball 360° from ITT Industries, Cannon measures 12×12×9.1 mm and includes two LEDs for two-color independent illumination of the ball (Picture).

ITT, Cannon customizes this trackball with eight to 24 pulses per rotation; operating lifetime is 300,000 full rotations. The 8-mm-diameter ball has a nominal selecting force of just 2.2N and a scanning rotation force of 0.35N. Power consumption, not including LEDs, is 0W because it’s an electromechanical switch. The basic model of the Trackball 360° sells for $1.50.

ITT Industries, Cannon, www.ittcannon.com.