Cirrus Logic Launches Advanced Haptic and Sensing ICs for Richer, Immersive User Experiences

By Rich Nass

Contributing Editor

Embedded Computing Design

June 03, 2020

News

In the never-ending pursuit of making consumer devices easier to use, while making them easier and more cost-effective to manufacture, Cirrus Logic is expanding its haptics and sensing portfolio.

In the never-ending pursuit of making consumer devices easier to use, while making them easier and more cost-effective to manufacture, Cirrus Logic is expanding its haptics and sensing portfolio. Aimed at automotive, augmented and virtual reality, gaming, personal computers, and wearables, the company claims to offer end users an immersive touch experience. The result is of the more sophisticated haptic feedback technology is sleeker, more robust end products with fewer mechanical controls for new responsive and immersive user experiences.

The CS40L25 family of boosted haptic drivers lets OEMs create customized user experiences beyond the single-action response associated with today’s mechanical buttons. This gets more difficult to do as consumer devices continue to become slimmer with larger displays. The new drivers feature low-latency, boost voltage, and closed-loop control algorithms that enable customized waveforms to trigger fast, unique haptic feedback responses.

With the new haptic solutions, developers can create context-aware virtual buttons for almost any surface. Eliminating mechanical buttons results in cleaner, sleeker industrial designs.

The CS40L25 family includes a high-performance haptic driver, a DSP, and a boost converter. The devices are resonance-aware, drive high-performance linear resonant actuators (LRAs) and voice coil motors (VCMs), and enhance user experiences by supporting unique/pre-stored haptic waveforms. Ultra-low latency provides real-time control of the haptic motor. Closed-loop algorithms maximize LRA effectiveness and enable strong and consistent haptics with a crisper, less “buzzy” effect.

The family of haptic products includes:

• CS40L25-CWZR and CS40L25B-CWZR ICs in 30-ball WLCSP packages for mobile and portable applications

• CS40L25B-CNZR commercial-grade 32-pin QFN product for PC/laptop and other general market applications

• CS40L25B-DNZ AEC-Q100 automotive-qualified variant in a 32-pin QFN package with wettable flanks for infotainment applications such as touch buttons and touch screens

The CWZR ICs are now shipping in volume. The remainder are currently sampling.

Rich Nass is a regular contributor to Embedded Computing Design. He has appeared on more than 500 episodes of the popular Embedded Executive podcast series, and is a regular contributor to the Embedded Insiders podcast.

Rich has been in the engineering OEM industry for more than 35 years, and is a recognized expert in the areas of embedded computing, Edge AI, industrial computing, the IoT, and cyber-resiliency and safety and security issues. He writes and speaks regularly on these topics and more.

Rich is currently the Liaison to Industry for the Embedded World North America Exhibition and Conference, and has held similar positions with the global Embedded World Conference and Exhibition.

Previously, Rich was the Brand Director for UBM’s award-winning Design News property. Prior to that, he led the content team for UBM Canon’s Medical Devices Group, as well all custom properties and events.  In prior stints, he led the Content Team at EE Times, handling the Embedded and Custom groups and the TechOnline DesignLine network of design engineering web sites.

Nass holds a BSEE degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

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