Abstract

This application note presents a practical method to add immersive haptic feedback to a gaming handheld using the Texas Instruments DRV2605L haptic driver in the Audio-to-Haptic mode. In modern handhelds, game audio is abundant even when explicit haptic events are absent – the DRV2605L exploits this by automatically converting audio signals into vibration drive for an Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) in real time. This application note describe the advantages of the Audio-to-Haptic mode (such as closed-loop resonance tracking), the hardware configuration used to evaluate this, and waveform results demonstrating the LRA’s response at various audio frequencies and amplitudes. This application note also detail how to seamlessly switch between audio-driven haptics and manual haptic control (using the DRV2605L’s real-time playback or effect library modes) during game play. Our tests confirm that the DRV2605L produces meaningful tactile effects from game audio with minimal latency, and transitions smoothly when the system overrides with specific haptic cues. This document provides guidelines for integrating the DRV2605L into a handheld device, including configuration tips and scope captures of the haptic output. The approach requires only modest hardware additions (the DRV2605L driver and an LRA) yet significantly enhances user immersion by leveraging existing audio content for haptic feedback.