Dialog Semiconductor has launched a new range of display drivers and evaluation kits to support electronic paper segmented displays from E Ink Corporation. The DA852x drivers are integrated solutions capable of driving 20-, 64-, 96-, 192- and 256-segment paper-thin electronic displays which can be integrated into several applications such as mobile phones, capacity meters (e.g. memory cards), electronic shelf labels, watches and clocks, games, medical devices, smart cards and other consumer devices. Each display driver device is available in both LGA package and bumped die format and only requires two external capacitors to complete a small form factor system solution.
The segmented display panels for which the DA852x driver ICs are designed provide electronic paper displays (EPD) with the capability to display both alpha-numeric characters and graphical icons. These displays are based on E Ink's Vizplex(TM) Imaging Film, which has a number of benefits over existing display technologies, including being reflective and easily read both in bright sunlight or dimly lit environments, plus being able to be seen at virtually any angle - just like paper. The bi-stable display technology also requires zero power when in static image mode, making this technology ideal for ultra-low powered operation.
The DA852x devices integrate all of the important functions required for successful functioning of an E Ink segmented display panel. The input supply can be driven directly from a battery in the range of 1.8V to 3.3V and a fully integrated charge pump is used to generate the regulated high voltage outputs required for the display. Control via a serial SPI interface allows the devices to be integrated with a wide range of microcontrollers. The system architecture can be further enhanced as several devices can be cascaded together to expand the drive capabilities and provide further solutions for different applications. Dialog has also developed a range of evaluation kits to support each display driver IC.
The evaluation kit enables system development using a Windows based graphical user interface. This allows designers to import their own display design and generate all the necessary sequences to successfully operate the E Ink segmented display from a PC environment. With full access to the control and display interface, the evaluation kit can be used to integrate both software and hardware in a production system solution. Samples of the DA852x E Ink segmented display driver ICs will be available in June with mass-production expected from October.
