Texas Instruments DLP® Devices

At the heart of every DLP chipset is an array of highly reflective aluminum micromirrors known as the digital micromirror device (DMD). The DMD is an electrical input, optical output micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) that allows developers to perform high-speed, efficient, and reliable spatial light modulation. Using TI's proven semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, each DMD contains up to 2 million individually controlled micromirrors built on top of an associated CMOS memory cell.

During operation, the DMD controller loads each underlying memory cell with a '1' or a '0'. Next, a mirror reset pulse is applied, which causes each micromirror to be electrostatically deflected about a hinge to the associated +/-12° state. The deflection angle of these two valid states is very repeatable due to a physical stop against two spring tips. In a projection system, the +12° state corresponds to an 'on' pixel, and the -12° state corresponds to an 'off' pixel. Grayscale patterns are created by programming the on/off duty cycle of each mirror, and multiple light sources can be multiplexed to create full RGB color images. In other applications, the +/-12° states offer two general-purpose output ports with a pattern and its inverse.

For every application, there are often multiple techniques or technologies that can be used to solve the engineering challenge at hand. In some applications, using light intelligently with DLP can enable completely new, disruptive solutions. These displace traditional physical, chemical, or other "high touch" techniques with non-contact optical approaches. For other customers that are using optical techniques, DLP technology often allows those customers to deliver improved performance. This comes with unique technical capabilities, a reliable supply chain, extensive support infrastructure, and a lower total cost of ownership. These are just a few of the many reasons that customers using other spatial light modulators, such as liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCoS), liquid-crystal displays (LCD), scanned lasers, and other MEMS devices, are switching to DLP technology from Texas Instruments.

Texas Instruments DLP® technology enables compact, efficient displays for a variety of applications, such as pico projectors, near-eye displays, digital signage, and many more. A broad network of optical module suppliers and design houses can help developers accelerate development time and speed time to market.

TI's award-winning DLP technology is leading the market with innovative advanced light control applications across many industrial markets. The DLP Digital Micromirror Device (DMD), an array of micromirrors, is used for real-time, efficient, and highly reliable spatial light modulation. Built upon an industry-leading position in digital cinema and consumer projection, the DLP advanced light control product portfolio is highly differentiated for digital lithography, machine vision, 3D printing, spectroscopy, and several other industrial applications. With TI's powerful yet easy-to-use development tools, customers are now able to introduce highly innovative products to market faster and easier.