DLPA059H January   2015  – April 2024 DLP160AP , DLP160CP , DLP2000 , DLP2010 , DLP230NP , DLP3010 , DLP3310 , DLP470NE , DLP470TE , DLP4710 , DLP471NE , DLP471TE , DLP471TP , DLP480RE , DLP550HE , DLP550JE , DLP650LE , DLP650NE , DLP650TE , DLP651NE , DLP660TE , DLP670RE , DLP780NE , DLP780TE , DLP781NE , DLP781TE , DLP800RE , DLP801RE , DLP801XE , DLPA1000 , DLPA2000 , DLPA2005 , DLPA3000 , DLPA3005 , DLPC2607 , DLPC3420 , DLPC3421 , DLPC3430 , DLPC3433 , DLPC3435 , DLPC3438 , DLPC3439 , DLPC4422 , DLPC6401 , DLPC6540

 

  1.   1
  2.   Abstract
  3.   Trademarks
  4. 1 Introduction
  5. 2 DLP Display Projection Benefits
  6. 3 What is DLP Technology?
  7. 4 The DLP Display System
    1. 4.1 Component Part Number Identification
    2. 4.2 Electronics Hardware
    3. 4.3 Optics
  8. 5 Selecting the Correct DLP Display Chipset
    1. 5.1 Brightness
    2. 5.2 Resolution
    3. 5.3 Size
  9. 6 How to Evaluate Selected DLP Display Chipset
  10. 7 Selecting the Correct Optical Engine
    1. 7.1 Optical Module Selection
    2. 7.2 Optical Module Sourcing
  11. 8 DLP Products Supply Chain
  12. 9 Development and Manufacturing
    1. 9.1 Electrical Considerations
    2. 9.2 Software Considerations
    3. 9.3 Optical Considerations
    4. 9.4 Mechanical Considerations
    5. 9.5 Thermal Considerations
    6. 9.6 Manufacturing Considerations
  13. 10Online Resources
    1. 10.1 DLP Chipset Information
  14. 11Common Display and Projection Terminology
  15. 12References
  16. 13Revision History

4.2 Electronics Hardware

The electronics portion of the display system starts with a video input signal (for example, 12/16/18/24-bit RGB (red, green, blue) parallel, DSI, FPD-Link or Vx1 interfaces, typically driven by an application or media processor. The output of the electronics portion includes video signal to the DMD commonly using low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) or Sub-LVDS, illumination drive, and power. Figure 4-2 shows an example of the electronics hardware.

GUID-20210716-CA0I-FVRN-FGL3-V8Z9BGX76SR1-low.png Figure 4-2 DLP .2 nHD (DLP2000) Chipset Evaluation Module (EVM) Electronics

Table 4-2 includes the components of the electronics portion of the display system.

Table 4-2 Electronic Components
Component Description
Applications processor The function of the applications processor is to deliver the video signal to the DLP display system as well as inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface to provide command and control functions. Any video-capable processor should be able to handle this task.
Display controller The DLP display controller is the digital interface between the DMD and the rest of the system. The controller takes digital input from an applications processor and drives the DMD over a high speed interface. The DLP controller also generates the necessary signals (data, protocols, timings) required to display images on the DMD.
Each display controller has a software user’s guide that details all its supported video handling functions, which will vary depending on the DLP chipset selected. To see an example software programmer’s guide for the .47 1080p DLP Pico chipset (DLP4710), see the DLPC3439 Software Programmer’s Guide.
Video signal inputs
  • Video interface. The DLP display controller can support a wide range of video interface inputs. 8/16/18/24-bit RGB parallel interface is most common across the DLP portfolio. In some cases, DSI is supported for ultra-portable and embedded applications, and Vx1 for 4K resolution. In a few cases, the video interface input will come from a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)

    (In such cases, FPD-Link may be supported).

  • I2C is used to command and control the display controller, typically connected from the application processor
  • PROJ_ON signal is used to power on/off/reset the display system

DMD signal outputs
  • DMD video interface. Depending on the chipset, the display controller will commonly output a Sub-LVDS or LVDS signal to the DMD.
  • Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) . Command and control communication with the DLP PMIC (if supported)

The display controllers support image processing that helps optimize the image quality displayed, including data compression. A DLP Light Control chipset should be used if precise pixel to pixel mapping is required (typically used in structured lighting applications, learn more here).
Image processing features depending on the chipset could include TI DLP® IntelliBright™ Algorithms for the DLPC343x Controller, DLP BrilliantColor™ technology, image keystone correction, warping, blending, frame rate conversion, integrated support for 3-D displays and more.
Some systems require dual controllers to format the incoming data before sending it to the DMD.
The DMD and its appropriate controller are required to be used together in a system design to ensure reliable operation.
FPGA Some chipsets incorporate a technology which creates either two or four pixel images on the screen from a single DMD micromirror. This is accomplished through a combination of proprietary image processing coupled with an optical actuator. The actuator is an opto-mechanical element which is positioned in the optical path between the DMD and the projection lens, and which has the ability to slightly alter the direction of the projection light rays. A 2-way actuator can direct light into two discrete directions, and a 4-way actuator can direct light into four discrete directions. The proprietary image processing converts the image data (from the customers application processor) into either two or four sub-frames of data. These sub-frames of data are then displayed on the DMD, synchronized with the direction-state of the actuator. For chipsets which incorporate this technology, the image processing is performed in an FPGA which sits in the data path between the customers application processor and the DLP controller. This FPGA is designed to receive data in the same manner that a DLP controller would, and generate both the sub-frame data as well as actuator control signals:
  • Video interface input from the application processor. Typically RGB parallel, Flat Panel Display Link (FPD-Link), or Vx1 interfaces.
  • Video interface output and I2C connected to the display controller(s).
  • Actuator output drive data (DAC_DATA and DAC_CLK) responsible to drive the actuator wave-form synchronous with video sub-frames.
PMIC, LED drive, and motor driver In most cases, a DLP PMIC is responsible for providing input power to the DLP display controller, DMD, and LED illumination components. The PMIC takes care of supplying core voltages related to the DLP chipset and gently power sequencing the DMD to ensure correct operation.

It also provides other monitoring and protection functions, and dynamic LED control based on image color content (for example, TI DLP® IntelliBright™ Algorithms for the DLPC343x Controller). Integration of the power supply and LED driver circuitry in a small IC not only allows for small-size electronics to be designed, but also reduces the product design cycle time.

A motor driver is also needed for systems that include a color wheel. This capability provides a color wheel motor drive control for phosphor laser illumination-based applications, as well as switching regulators and adjustable linear regulators for customer designed peripherals. It supports two peripherals by supplying three fan drivers and one 3-phase Back electromotive force (BEMF): motor driver or controller for a color wheel.
Flash memory Application-specific configurations are stored in the Flash memory. This component is typically placed on the electronics board or the DMD flex cable.

DLP display controller and PMIC that accompany the DLP Pico DMDs are very small enabling extremely compact display products. Figure 4-3 shows both sides of an example printed circuit board design (estimate only) with the DLPA2000 PMIC and the DLPC3430 controller device, which drives a .2 WVGA (DLP2010) DMD.

GUID-20210720-CA0I-3CQM-KPJX-LMD44SWKPZWK-low.png Figure 4-3 Example of a Small Board Design