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19/11/2010
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A new piezoelectric motor for mobile phone cameras integrates all its motor functions into a piezoelectric ceramic beam, 4.5 x 0.82 x 0.7mm.
 The UTAF – standing for Ultra Thin Auto Focus, is the latest design to come from New Scale Technologies, based in Victor, New York State. The motor uses a co-fired multilayer ceramic process to produce a single beam composed of many thin layers of piezo ceramic. Sub-segments of the beam are energised independently, making the beam vibrate simultaneously in two orthogonal directions as its motion mechanism. Frequency, phase and amplitude of the ultrasonic vibrations are controlled by a two phase drive circuit. Because the layers are very thin, they respond to signals of only 3V or less. This is a significant advantage in smart phone camera applications, as it allows the motor to operate directly from the phone battery.
The company has licensed its motor patent to TDK-EPC (EPCOS), which manufactures advanced multi-layer piezoelectric ceramics. The motor is combined with several other patent pending innovations to deliver a complete ultra thin auto focus actuator module for next generation ultra thin mobile phones with image sensors better than 8MP.
These innovations include advanced drive electronics incorporated into New Scale's NSD-2101 driver IC, a compact lens module design with a high efficiency pin bushing guide, and 'Smart Step' control software that optimises speed and accuracy while minimising acoustic noise. The module enables continuous auto focus for video capture, as well as faster focus for still picture taking. The complete actuator module measures less than 4 x 8.5 x 8.5mm.
The design is protected by US patent 7,786,648 issued on August 31st 2010. New Scale Technologies is represented in the UK by Orlin Technologies in Ridgmont, Bedfordshire.
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Author
Tom Shelley
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