TI driver enables tactile feedback for HD devices

Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) has rolled out what it boasts as the industry's most highly integrated piezo haptic driver for high-definition (HD) consumer, automotive and industrial touchscreen applications such as smartphones, tablets, white goods and automotive central information displays. The DRV2667 features a digital interface, integrated 15-105V boost converter, power diode and 40-200V peak-to-peak (Vpp) fully-differential amplifier. It also features an I2C controlled digital playback engine that relieves the host processor from haptic effects generation, stated the firm.

The integration of digital waveform generation, high-voltage drive and 2kB of RAM eliminates the need for external components, and allows the DRV2667 to store and instantly recall haptic waveforms. The driver delivers real-time playback of haptic effects such as those from Immersion's TouchSense 5000 haptic effects library.

A digital interface and a 2ms startup enable a faster haptic effect response time, and a more realistic HD tactile experience that closely resembles the feel of specific events, surfaces or effects. Users can experience the pluck of a guitar string, the feel of turning a page, the press of a keyboard or mechanical button and a myriad of gaming effects.

The device's high-voltage differential amplifier generates up to 200Vpp output drive, resulting in six times more vibration force than competing solutions. This capability enables support for a wide range of piezo actuators. Additionally, combining the DRV2667 with an external inductor provides the industry's smallest solution size of 10 x 11mm, which is half the size of competitive solutions that must be paired with an external transformer and other discrete components.

The DRV2667EVM can be purchased for a suggested retail price of $99. This evaluation module is supplied with a user guide and includes a fully programmable MSP430G2553 Value Line MCU, piezo actuator, sample waveforms and capacitive touch buttons for complete standalone and in-system evaluation.

The DRV2667 is available in a 20-pin, 4 x 4 x 0.9mm QFN package for a suggested retail price of $2.95 in 1,000-unit quantities.