TI intros industry's first autofocus driver in ultra-thin packaging for compact camera modules

DALLAS, USA: Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) introduced the industry's first auto focus voice coil driver with both pulse width modulation (PWM) and linear current regulation support.

The DRV201 provides designers the flexibility to select the PWM or linear regulation for compact cameras, smartphones and mobile devices. PWM current regulation is up to 75-percent more power-efficient than traditional designs using linear mode. The DRV201 is housed in TI's PicoStar packaging, which is the industry's thinnest package at 0.15 mm, enabling low-profile camera modules. DRV201 also integrates advanced ringing compensation in the silicon, to allow faster lens stabilization and to work well with a wider selection of lens and voice coil motor actuator suppliers.

The auto focus function is generally the most power-hungry and battery-draining aspect of using the camera in smartphones and other mobile devices. By designing in PWM mode, the DRV201 reduces the power consumption of the auto focus function by 75 percent, which helps extend the battery life of devices that include a compact camera module.

Key features and benefits of DRV201
* Flexible selection of operation mode with I2C configuration.
* Advanced ringing compensation feature results in fast lens settling time for faster focus – 10-mS settling time compared to 150 mS without ringing compensation.
* Robust on-chip protection (open and short-circuit detection/protection, thermal protection and under-voltage lockout).
* 0.15-mm package height.