Southchip Technology has released the SC3606, a driver chip designed for piezoelectric fans in compact, power-sensitive devices. The chip supports a wide input voltage range of 2.1V to 5.5V and can be connected directly to battery power rails without additional components.
The SC3606 features a maximum output swing of 46Vpp and operates within a frequency range of 2kHz to 40kHz. It integrates energy recovery architecture and frequency tracking algorithms to automatically lock onto optimal resonance points between 15kHz and 40kHz, eliminating the need for manual calibration.
The chip is housed in a 2.3mm x 2.75mm x 0.5mm FCQFN 22L package and supports both sine and square wave drive modes. It includes an I2C digital interface for direct communication with flagship SoCs and PMICs, along with protection mechanisms against overvoltage, overtemperature, and short circuits.
Piezoelectric fans are considered a solution for thin devices, offering thicknesses under 1mm, noise levels around 30dB, and sub-millisecond response times. Previous implementations include the Infinix NOTE 60 series, which utilized a 0.1mm thick piezoelectric cooling system.
