Tablets exploded into the consumer electronics (CE) market a few years ago, and while growth has slowed some, the market’s still expanding. DisplaySearch forecasts tablet shipments to surpass notebook PC shipments for the first time this year, while IDC expects tablet shipments to more than double by 2016.
But we all know consumers are finicky. What’s in today is out tomorrow. So how do tablet manufacturers keep driving sales? How do they take these popular gadgets to the next level? Consumers want slimmer, lighter devices with longer battery life, an enhanced user experience and thermal management. How do manufacturers get there?
Today’s tablets must be light and thin. With highly integrated solutions like the TPS65090, a front-end power management unit (PMU) integrating up to 15 functions, designers can save significant board space while drastically reducing bill of materials. An added benefit, its integrated 4-A switching charger can reduce charging time by half.
But what about increased battery life? The TPS65090 has several load-switches that help reduce power consumption by switching-off all those functions the moment they’re not needed.
Have you ever evaluated a power architecture with 2-3 LiIon cells in series? Both the TPS65090 and the LP8556 WLED Driver are designed for this purpose. 2-3 cells in series are getting strong traction from processor vendors and large OEMs. The key advantage is extending battery life-time by: a) using each single battery cell longer, and b) enjoying efficiencies above 90% while driving the WLED display backlight from a higher input voltage.
The content adaptive backlight control (CABC) of the LP8556 extends power savings even more. This IC dynamically adjusts backlighting based on the content being shown on the display. This is significant when you keep in mind that approximately 50% of the total tablet power budget goes to the display backlighting. The more efficiency improves in this area, the longer we’ll be able to extend battery life.
And what about delivering an enhanced user experience while playing a 3D basketball game on your tablet? With the DRV2665 Piezo Haptic Driver, high-definition haptics are finally possible – providing your tablet with a unique tactile feeling that kids and adults will both love. Think vibrations and motions – like being able to feel the ball bounce up and down on your screen as you dribble. An added benefit, the DRV2665 is compatible with Immersion's wealth of existing haptic effect IP for flexibility and differentiation.
And last but not least, there’s thermal management. Nobody wants their tablet to get hot while running at full speed! With our TMP006 Temperature Sensor, you can measure temperature via infrared, enabling optimized performance while providing a more comfortable user experience.
Take it to the net with the TMP006 Temperature Sensor, DRV2665 Piezo Haptics Driver, LP8556 WLED Driver and TPS65090 PMU! And be sure to check out our system block diagram, which also includes ICs for audio, video and connectivity, at www.ti.com/tablet.
