A pico projector, as the name suggests, is an extremely small projector that can easily slip into any pocket. It is the smallest and lightest projector available: only a few inches long with a weight similar to a mobile phone. It is obviously very convenient for truly portable projector applications. It can convert cell phone, PDA or laptop data and project the images over almost any flat surface.
The pico projector is based on LED and laser light source technology. This technology, in contrast to the old digital light processing (DLP) or liquid crystal display (LCD) projector technologies, is more energy efficient and reduces the heat produced and so doesn’t need large cooling systems and noisy fans. An important feature of laser projectors is that the image is constantly in focus regardless of its distance from the screen.
The LatticeXP2 FPGA is used to control and implement high speed parallel image processing algorithms, and closely bind the projector elements as shown in the block diagram. The advanced spatial light modulator (ASLM) incorporates micro lens array technology to enhance the light modulator efficiency from 25% up to approximately 60%. The red, green and blue images are flashed sequentially using the ASLM under the FPGA’s control with frequencies higher than 180 Hz (3*60Hz) so that the eye sees a full color image.
© Lattice Semiconductor Corporation 2012
