| World's tiniest video projector? |
Oct. 09, 2006
 Researchers at Germany-based Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have developed miniaturized video projector technology suitable for use in cost-sensitive embedded and mobile device applications. The technology substitutes a single mirror with two-axis rotation for the million-mirror "microarrays" used in previous approaches to projector miniaturization, according to the company.
(Click here for large view of tiny projector)
Previous designs for miniaturized video projectors have utilized million-mirror arrays that can be tilted in a single plane, and are evenly illuminated, according to Fraunhofer. Such "microarray" projectors operate by rotating the arrays toward and away from the light source, thereby producing light and dark pixels that combine to form the projected image.
The microarray approach has two key drawbacks, according to Fraunhofer. The very nature of its design precludes miniaturization; plus, it costs too much, making it unaffordable in consumer device applications.
To circumvent these problems, Fraunhofer researchers developed projector technology based on a single mirror that rotates around two axes. Based on this approach, the company says it can create a projector roughly "the size of a sugar cube."
A second requirement is to reduce the size of green diode lasers to that of today's red and blue lasers, in order to build the a sufficiently small RGB light source for the tiny projectors.
The company explains, "The customary high-pressure lamp will have to give way to small diode lasers if the projector is to shrink to the size of a sugar cube. While red and blue diode lasers are already small enough, green lasers are still too bulky. Today's technology allows RGB projectors with a side length of ten by seven by three centimeters to be produced. Although this is still distinctly larger than a sugar cube, it is only a quarter the size of a standard projector. Researchers around the globe are attempting to scale down the green light source. Together with the blue and red diode lasers, it will ideally form the new red-green-blue source."
Andreas Brauer, director of Fraunhofer's Microoptic Systems division, stated, "If green diode lasers are successfully reduced to the size of red ones, then RGB projectors the size of sugar cubes will become a reality."
Potential applications for the tiny video projector technology, cited by Fraunhofer, include small, cost-effective laser arrays to act as distance sensors that measure the gap between a car and the nearest object when parking, robotics position sensing, and digital projectors for laptops and PDAs.
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, based in Munich, Germany, says it has around 12,400 employees working with an annual research budget of around 1.25 billion euros, two thirds of which is funded by public and corporate research projects.
Postage stamp-sized projector showcased in June
eWEEK.com in June reported that Washington-based Microvision showcased a tiny projector for mobile devices at the annual SID (Society of Information Display) International Symposium. The company reportedly said its Integrated Photonics Module produces full-color, high-resolution images while only using a small amount of energy. It modulates laser light to create the image, and does not require a lens to focus the image. The device is intended to be used for "personal projection" of content such as video from media players.
Photo source: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
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