Kinetic Technologies Releases Dual Channel Camera Flash Driver ICs, with Independent LED Control

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San Jose, Calif.   December 16, 2016 – Kinetic Technologies, a high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductor company focused on developing power management solutions for computing, consumer, industrial, and communications markets, today introduced the KTD2688 and KTD2688A, both dual channel, high current LED Flash driver ICs, with independent channel control.  The KTD2688 and KTD2688A are specifically designed for driving high current, camera flash, LEDs used today in mid-to-high end Smartphones.

The KTD2688 and KTD2688A are the ideal power solution for high-power flash LEDs. Integrating a synchronous boost converter and two current sources, plus extremely flexible programming via I2C control, the KTD2688 and KTD2688A provide a very small total solution for use in feature rich Smartphones. To compliment the I2C interface, the KTD2688/88A also features hardware STROBE/TORCH pins for maximum control flexibility. The two integrated current sources are independently controlled, with both their on and off state, and current settings in either of three functioning Flash/Torch/IR modes can be programmed independently by the I2C interface. To conserve battery life when the Camera module is not in use, there is a HW enable pin that powers the KTD2688/88A down reducing the standby power.

In addition to the flexible control, the KTD2688 and KTD2688A have integrated many protection features, to prevent damage to the IC, the LEDs or the surrounding environment. These include, three programmable low voltage input protection modes to can prevent a system reset, when the LED Flash is initiated, if the battery is in a discharged state. Cycle-by-cycle input current limit protection, output over-voltage protection, LED fault (open or short) protection, flash timeout protection and thermal shutdown protection are also included.

High definition cameras have now become common place in today۪s mid-to-high-end Smartphones.” said Erik Ogren, Senior Director of Marketing at Kinetic Technologies, in a quest to differentiate their products in the marketplace, manufacturers are continually seeking to not only improve the image sensors and optics, but also the flash solution itself. “Today manufacturers use a variety of solutions consisting of multiple LED (up to four), in either all white or amber and white combinations. All these solutions require proprietary control algorithms to provide the best quality photograph without washing out the subject matter. To achieve this, precise independent control of the LEDs is required. The KTD2688 and KTD2688A, provide the necessary control to each channel providing 128 steps of LED current, whilst also shaping the rising and falling edges.”

The KTD2688 provides a maximum flash current of up to 1.5A per channel and up to 187.5mA in Torch mode. In Flash mode, the programmable safety timer has a timeout range of 10ms to 400ms. The KTD2688A features the same maximum flash current of 1.5A, but increases the Torch current to a maximum of 375mA and the safety timer range of 40ms to 1600ms.

The KTD2688/88A is supplied in a WLCSP-12, 1.3 x 1.57mm, RoHS and Green Compliant packages and are rated over the -40 degree C to +85 degree C temperature range.

Key Features of KTD2688/88A

  • High efficiency synchronous boost converter with 2MHz/4MHz switching frequency option
  • Two-channel independent current sources
    • Flash current up to 1.5A
    • Torch current up to 187.5mA (KTD2688) or 375mA (KTD2688A)
  • Flexible I2C interface programming plus hardware control
    • STROBE/TORCH control
    • Flash/Torch/IR modes
    • Independent LED on/off and current settings
    • Programmable ramp shape and time control
    • I2C fault read back
  • Comprehensive protection
    • Three input low voltage protection modes
    • Flash time-out protection up to 400ms (KTD2688) or 1.60s(KTD2688A)
    • LED open/short protection
  • LED cathode ground connection for improved thermal dissipation

About Kinetic Technologies

Kinetic Technologies designs, develops and markets proprietary high-performance analog and mixed-signal power management semiconductors for consumer, computing, industrial and communication markets. The company۪s product offering consists of integrated circuits that transform, regulate, deliver and monitor the power consumed by analog and digital semiconductors and other electronic loads. The company develops application-specific products to take care of the power management needs in devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, netbooks, GPS and MID, as well as serving a wide range of industrial, computing and communication product segments. Kinetic Technologies, a Cayman Corporation, has R&D centers in Silicon Valley and Asia, with operations and logistics based in Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.kinet-ic.com/.

*The Kinetic Technologies logo is a trademark of Kinetic Technologies. All other brand and product names appearing in this document are the property of their respective holders.