MCG Reports
Comparison of Performance of Alternative Miniature Imagers
(Comparative performance in projection and personal displays)
by Charles McLaughlin | chuck@mcgweb.com | Telephone: 650 323 7155
and Dave Armitage | darmit7644@aol.com
___________________________________________________
This study analyzes the performance of 11 alternative imager designs that can be use in either projection or personal viewers. The study looks beyond the first order efficiencies of imaging devices themselves. For projectors the critical relationship between throughput and imager area are explored as well as secondary effects related to scattering, diffraction, and divergence. For single imager personal display systems, the relationship between imager size and field of view and the brightness/power tradeoff are quantified. The current and expected performance of the competitive systems are quantified.
Dominance of Poly-Silicon Imagers Challenged by Host of U.S. InitiativesThe explosive growth of the desktop projection market and the emergence of products based on personal displays have spurred interest in a new generation of miniature imaging devices, essentially electronic displays built on the face of an integrated circuit chip. While Japanese manufacturers such as Seiko Epson and Sony have taken the early lead with devices based on poly-silicon on quartz backplanes, more than 10 U.S. companies are now introducing competitive products.
The study is a unique and important resource and a must read for technologists and marketeers in the projection and personal display markets. For makers of miniature imagers it provides performance benchmarking and quantifies the leverage of improved imager performance on system specifications.
The study begins with an in depth analysis of the current and projected optical performance of the alternative designs to develop an imager
efficiency rating for each technology. While this figure of merit is a first order predictor of projector throughput and personal display power efficiency, it is far from the whole story.
In projection systems, the imager area is also critical to throughput as well as the optical effects related to scattering and diffraction. Some imagers require a small f number in order to achieve acceptable contrast. In other systems, diffracted and scattered light lowers performance. Such effects are explained and analyzed in detail.
In a viewer, a single imager offers a big advantage over a 3 imager system, but creates a whole series of challenges related to image quality and power. The sizing of the imager is also explored for simple magnifying eyepiece optics. Key metrics are image quality and the brightness/power tradeoff.
The study concludes by comparing the performance of alternative designs based both on near term expectations as well as longer term limits.
SCOPE OF MID TECHNOLOGIES
The study of model provide detailed assumptions and cost models for backplane costs for the following designs.
CLASS |
TYPE |
COMPANIES |
Active Matrix Liquid Crystal |
Poly silicon, transmissive nematic |
Seiko Epson, Sony, Sarif, Kopin (x-Si) |
|---|---|---|
| Reflective nematic |
Kopin, Spatialight, Hughes |
|
| PDLC |
Raychem, Hitachi, Asahi, Mitsubishi, National Semiconductor |
|
| Ferroelectric |
>Displaytech |
|
| Diffractive nematic |
MicroDisplay |
|
Microelectromechanical Structures (MEMs) |
Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) |
Texas Instruments |
| Grating Light Valve |
>Silicon Light Machines (Eschelle) |
|
| Diffractive Elastomeric |
Hertz Institute |
|
Emissive |
Active matrix electoluminescent (AMEL) |
Planar Systems |
| Field Emission Displays (FED) |
Micron Display Technology, FED Corp. |
|
| Scanned LED |
Reflection Technology |
CONTENT
View the table of contents for this report TABLE OF CONTENTS
View a List of Tables for this report
View a List of Figures for this report
MCG PERSONNEL - About the authors
Dr. Armitage is a consultant and engineering physicist specializing in display technology and electro-optics. Dave has an extensive background in modeling display devices and systems. Recent publications include SPIE articles on liquid crystal projection displays and silicon chip based imaging devices.
Chuck McLaughlin is a flat panel display technology and market consultant who has published a variety of reports and articles about the AMLCD business. Mr. McLaughlin specializes in defining opportunities and developing market strategy.
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Price: $3,950.00, with extra copies at $600.00. The Study is now available.
To Subscribe: Please forward your shipping address with your check or purchase order to McLaughlin Consulting Group, Fax 650 319 1805. Contact Chuck McLaughlin for more information.