Inkjet MFPs

Inkjet printers and multi-function printers (MFPs) have similar hardware cores consisting of an image processor, a system controller, several drivers - for the print head and the various motors -, power management blocks, sensors, memory units as well as different computer ports and a user interface.

An MFP offers additional functionality such as scanner, copier, fax/modem, memory card readers and LCD display, as illustrated in the below block diagram.

The trend towards system miniaturization has led to the development of system-on-chip ICs (dark grey in diagram) that regroup many of the above functions. The resulting inkjet printer or MFP board consists of only a few components and is configurable, through firmware, to fit a broad range of products.