Implementation of Multi-Channel 600V-Class EHD Driver to Drive-Per-Nozzle of Hybrid Inkjet Printer

A multi-channel high voltage electrohydrodynamic (EHD) driver which can realize drive-per-nozzle (DPN) that can compensate the deviation of each nozzle is presented. The proposed driver features the use of a serial peripheral interface and a serial-to-parallel converter to realize DPN by generating high voltage pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signals with different widths and delays for each nozzle. In order to achieve a uniform ink state in the nozzle, these high voltage pulse can be adjusted for each nozzle and control the electric field applied to the nozzle. In this way, driving according to the state of each nozzle can be realized. We successfully design and implement the proposed EHD driver through 1um single-poly 3-metal high voltage technology using BCD-on-SOI process.