Azoteq has launched the IQS396, a sensor fusion chipset which combines a sensor and a haptics feedback driver capable of driving linear resonant actuator (LRA) haptics motors.
The on-chip haptics driver, with internal driver protection, enables product manufacturers to provide tactile feedback in applications in which this would previously have been considered too expensive.
In remote controls and wearable health monitoring devices, for instance, capacitive sensing can enable low-power proximity sensing to support a backlighting function, with haptics feedback actuated during use of the product. This mimics the user experience in smartphones.
Another use case is door entry systems: here, the chipset supports inductive sensing, a waterproof method for implementing touch sensing. Haptic tactile feedback confirms keypad or button activations.
A member of the ProxFusion® family, the IQS396 performs either self-capacitive sensing or resonated inductive sensing; the sensing mode can be selected in the device’s register settings.
For haptic feedback, an H-bridge circuit drives an LRA motor. An Azoteq auto-resonance algorithm matches the resonant frequency of the driven motor in real time.
