MEMS technology achieves major breakthrough

Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) display technology is known for its outstanding image quality, which is used in more than 80% of digital cinemas worldwide. Now, the latest innovation in size, efficiency and brightness enables this proven technology to be used on compact and battery-powered devices, allowing developers, brand manufacturers and system integrators to create a large number of applications and design products, almost any surface Convert high quality HD projection displays.

Imagine: You can attach a rear-mounted vehicle head-up display (HUD) to the car sun visor and project the direction of travel on the windshield; imagine that you have a tablet PC with a built-in Pico projector that can be used at any time Share the contents of large screens with others everywhere; imagine that you wear near-eye glasses, and the latest information on navigation and social media is displayed in front of you. With the latest breakthroughs in MEMS-based projection display technology, these are just a few examples of innovative consumer electronics and industrial applications. There is more room for imagination in the future.

Introduction to MEMS Technology from Texas Instruments

At the heart of Texas Instruments' MEMS-based projection display technology is a set of highly reflective aluminum micromirror arrays called Digital Micromirror Devices (DMD). The DMD can contain millions of individually controlled micromirrors, each placed on top of the associated CMOS memory cell.

For its part, the DMD can be used as an electronic input light output device, allowing developers to perform high-speed, high-efficiency and reliable spatial light modulation. When the DMD-based projection system is combined with RGB LEDs and optical lenses to work together in a component called a light engine, vivid high-definition images and videos can be displayed.

One example of DMD projection is the new DLP® PicoTM chipset based on breakthrough MEMS technology (also known as DLP TRP technology). These chipsets use a smaller pixel pitch of 5.4 microns and a larger tilt angle of 17 degrees, but they have higher resolution and lower power consumption than earlier chipsets of the same size, while maintaining high light efficiency, and there are also enhanced Image processing algorithm backed by.

In addition, the power consumption of this new-generation DMD has also dropped by 50% to as low as 180mW, and its resolution is also twice that of the previous-generation product of the same size.

These major breakthroughs in pixel technology, combined with DLP's IntelliBrightTM image processing algorithms, allow these chipsets to provide 100% higher brightness levels than existing chipsets of the same resolution.

DLP IntelliBright technology is a new image processing algorithm with two main functions: It can dynamically adjust each RGB LED to optimize the real brightness, contrast and system power consumption. The exception is that it can intelligently enhance the dark area of ​​the image and enhance it. Perceived brightness.

MEMS technology promotes innovative new display applications

Technology trends toward smaller form factors, lower power consumption and higher resolution MEMS display devices are driving a wave of innovative applications that will convert any surface to a high definition display.

A major breakthrough in MEMS technology for projection can now be found in applications such as immersive computing, mobile projectors, screenless TVs, control panels, interactive displays, near-eye displays and other wearable computing devices, automotive head-up displays, and Low-latency display for video games. Let's dig into each application example.

From laptops to smart phones to tablets, a variety of personal computing devices are now equipped with MEMS display technology. In addition to typical personal computing tasks, these devices can now convert almost any surface into a home theater or business presentation display.

Personal devices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, and mobile projectors can now provide a big screen experience. These plug-and-play products provide ultimate portability, high definition resolution, and low power consumption, making them ideal for a wide range of businesses and consumers. These multi-functional devices meet the needs of a variety of consumers, such as business people who want to present unforgettable presentations to customers around the world, and parents who host neighborhood movie nights in their backyards.

When MEMS technology and motion sensing function are perfectly combined, the desktop can support interactive display to provide users with an immersive computing experience, including the innovative function of manipulating the user interface by touching the surface without using a physical mouse or keyboard. Or touch screen. Several products in the consumer electronics market already have this capability.

In addition to wall and other planar surfaces, this new generation of MEMS devices features small size, high resolution, low latency, and low power consumption, making them ideal for augmented and virtual reality applications using near-eye displays. Whether it is for a surreal video game system or a brief wearable computer, they can provide a wearable computing experience.

For ultimate portability, the screenless display allows large images to be projected onto a wall or any surface from a separate, portable, battery-powered device, allowing users to watch streaming video. There are no bulky TVs, no cluttered cables, and small portable devices that are readily available at home or on the road.

Integrated function

MEMS-based continuous innovation in DMD gives developers more opportunities to use projection-based display technology for a variety of applications in the industrial, consumer, and enterprise markets.

A strong ecosystem is in place to help developers quickly bring products to market and support their current and evolving needs.

For example, Texas Instruments maintains the industry’s broadest ecosystem of DLP miniature optical engine manufacturers, and developers do not have to own optical expertise. Manufacturers of these optical modules are independent, technologically sound companies that use DMDs, LED-based illumination sources, and the necessary mirrors and lenses that form the core of the projection system, providing a package of optical modules for customers around the world.

Projection technology uses currently available MEMS display technology to continue to provide new HD display applications that are smaller, brighter, and more efficient to support innovation in a compact form factor.