DLPY011 September 2022 DLPC3430 , DLPC3432 , DLPC3433

DLP Pico technology for smartphone companion projectors

DLP Pico technology enables smartphone companion projectors to achieve the optimal combination of performance, size and battery life. Table 1 describes five key features of DLP Pico technology and their associated benefits for smartphone companion projectors.

Table 1 Key features of DLP Pico technology and associated benefits for smartphone companion projectors.

Features	Benefits
High optical efficiency	DLP Pico DMDs contain reflective and polarization-agnostic aluminum micromirrors, which enable bright smartphone companion projectors with relatively low illumination power consumption.
Small size, high resolution	DLP Pico DMDs, with micromirror arrays as small as 0.2 inches in diagonal, create high-resolution displays in mobile accessory form factors.
High contrast	Optical modules designed with DLP Pico DMDs can achieve full on-and-off contrast ratios of over 1000-to-1, depending on system optical design trade-offs. Higher contrast enables projection displays with more vivid colors and darker blacks.
DLP IntelliBright™ algorithms	The DLP IntelliBright image-processing algorithm suite helps optimize image brightness, contrast and power consumption. For more information, see TI DLP IntelliBright Algorithms for the DLPC343x Controller.
Supplier ecosystem	A global supplier ecosystem of optical module manufacturers, system integrators and original design manufacturers (ODMs) eases the design process and enables product developers to go to market faster.

A DLP Pico smartphone companion projector includes a DLP Pico chipset – a three-chip system comprises a DMD, a controller and a power-management integrated circuit (PMIC). Figure 6 demonstrates the small size of an optical module which includes a DMD, LED illumination, and optical and mechanical components. The controller and PMIC are typically located on a nearby PCB that drives the optical module with illumination power and DMD control signals.

Figure 6 An ultra-compact DLP2010 (0.2-inch 854 x 480 resolution) optical module with approximate dimensions of 30 mm by 30 mm by 6 mm.

A 24-bit RGB parallel interface transmits video data, either from an external source or an onboard applications processor, to the DLP Pico controller, as shown in Figure 7. The DLPC3430, DLPC3432 and DLPC3433 also support MIPI DSI for video input from mobile applications processors. I2C commands control the functionality of the DLP controller. The DLP PMIC not only manages DMD and controller power, but is also an LED driver for the RGB LEDs in the optical module.

DLP controller software and configuration files are stored in a flash memory chip that is typically included as a part of the optical module, either on a small board attached to the side or on a flex cable.

Figure 7 Typical system block diagram for a basic mobile projector.

Table 2 lists the various specifications of DLP Pico chipsets for smartphone companion projectors.

Table 2 Compare recommended chipsets for smartphone companion projectors.

DMD Part Number
Micromirror array diagonal	0.2 inches	0.23 inches	0.3 inches
Resolution	854 × 480	960 × 540	1280 × 720
Typical brightness range	Up to 200 lumens	Up to 300 lumens	Up to 350 lumens
Typical screen size in an office environment ⁽¹⁾	20-30 inches	20-35 inches	25-40 inches
Typical screen size in a dark home environment ⁽¹⁾	40-60 inches	40-70 inches	45-80 inches
DLP IntelliBright algorithms	Yes	Yes	Yes
MIPI DSI input interface supported	Yes	Yes	Yes
Reference design	Ultra Mobile, Ultra Low Power Display Reference Design Using DLP Technology	Ultra Mobile, Low Power DLP Pico qHD Display Reference Design	Portable, Low Power HD Display with Increased Brightness Reference Design Using DLP Technology
Display controller part number	DLPC3430	DLPC3432	DLPC3433
PMIC/LED driver part number	DLPA2000 DLPA2005 DLPA3000

(1) Assuming a required projected image brightness of 200 nits for an office environment and 50 nits for a dark home environment.