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DLP4710: Taking apart DLP4710-EVM optics engine - need documentation

Qianqian Fang
Prodigy 80 points
Part Number: DLP4710

Dear forum, 

For an on-going research project, I need to couple an external near-infrared laser to the DLP4710-EVM projector I purchased. I removed the red LED with a hope that I could use the red-channel to couple my laser (collimated) onto the DLP and then projected as a pattern, but it did not work.

I was told by some of my colleagues had successfully coupled lasers to an older models of DLP evm boards, but they told me I had to remove the lenses in front of the LED in order to shine the laser directly to the DLP chip. I removed the EVM circuit board, but found the optics engine is very hard to dissemble, at least it is not obvious how to remove the lenses. A picture of the exposed optics engine is attached below.

My project is on a tight schedule, and I'd like to make some progress on this front asap. I am hoping to get some help on understand how to take apart the optics engine so that I can couple an external light source to the DLP to project. If someone can share me with the assembly or maintenance manual of the optics engine, particularly the structrues of the optics lenses and dicrochics, that would be greatly helpful!

From reading previously posts on related topics, I also saw posts on upgrading the firmware to allow a single light source. If this is necessary to couple an external laser, I would also like to get a copy of the single-light-source firmware and instructions to upgrade it.

thank you very much

  • 0
    Prodigy 80 points
    if anyone had successfully modified a DLP module for similar purposes, I'd also love to hear you experience and pointers. thanks
  • 0 in reply to Qianqian Fang
    TI__Expert 3350 points
    Hi Qianqian,

    While it's possible to modify the optics of an existing engine, it's not a trivial task. For such efforts, we encourage you to work with some of our optical module makers or design houses.

    Here is a link that has names of several 3rd party companies that can help.
    www.ti.com/.../design-houses.html

    In parallel, we can see if any other user can share their experiences in this thread.

    Can you please let us know what's the kind of demo you are targeting with IR?

    Thanks
    Srik Gurrapu
  • 0 in reply to Srik Gurrapu
    Prodigy 80 points

    hi Srik, 

    I understand it is nontrivial, but I am willing to give it a try as long as TI can provide me some drawings/documentation related to the optics. is such information available for the TI product users?

    also, by "working with" the optical module makers, do you mean I should call their customer support number and they will provide me additional info on the phone? or I have to set up some sort of collaboration or subcontract in order to get this done? the latter scenario will unlikely to work because of the short timing I am afraid. also, in theory, do these vendors have responsibility to support me if I purchased a TI product?

    thanks

    Qianqian

  • 0 in reply to Srik Gurrapu
    Prodigy 80 points
    hope to get direct support from TI, not the upstream vendors.
  • 0 in reply to Qianqian Fang
    TI__Expert 3350 points
    Hi Qianqian,

    Yes, typically our customers work with our partners and setup design servces agreement. And, that will take some time and should be scoped out for a project.

    We will discuss internally on how to support this.

    Thanks Srik
  • 0 in reply to Srik Gurrapu
    Prodigy 80 points
    hi Srik, please let me know the outcome of your internal discussion; if there is any relevant document, such as service manual, that you could release to me to help my project, feel free to send me by private messages or email (fangqq at gmail.com). thanks
  • 0 in reply to Srik Gurrapu
    Prodigy 80 points
    let me know if you have any update from the internal discussion. I reached out to the vendor of the optical engine, but received no reply so far.

    also, can you let me know how to download the firmware that enables a single (or 0) light source? I need to remove the connectors to the LEDs and still be able to use the DMD for projection.

    thanks
  • 0 in reply to Qianqian Fang
    TI__Expert 3350 points
    Hi Qianqian,

    We discussed this internally.

    The optical engines that come with the EVMs aren’t meant to be modified and it's extremely difficult for us to support such modifications as there are several variables that would affect the overall performance. Plus, there are a wide variety of possible applications with DLP products - display, 3D scanning, 3D printing just to name a few. All these applications require different optical designs and the details could get pretty complex.

    That is where we partner with several companies that specialize in creating production ready optical modules and some companies that specialize in design services like what you are doing here.

    You mentioned about some near tem deadlines. Please email me at gurrapu@ti.com and we can discuss about your project details detailed and we can then suggest a suitable partner that can potentially help with your effort.

    Thanks
    Srik
  • 0 in reply to Srik Gurrapu
    Prodigy 80 points
    hi Srik

    thanks for the update. The only support I would like to get from TI is the release of some service manuals /drawings/documents related to the optical engine, then I am on my own. would that be possible?

    also, I think the request on the firmware to accommodate using only a single or 0 LED connected is still open, and I believe only TI can fulfill this request. can you let me know if you can supply such firmware? it was mentioned in previous support replies (I can give you the URL if needed).

    Unfortunately we have a deadline for an IRB inspection in the next two weeks, I don't think arranging partners will be soon enough to accommodate this deadline.

    thanks

    Qianqian
  • 0 in reply to Qianqian Fang
    TI__Expert 3350 points

    Hi Qianqian,

    Unfortunately, the optics module in this EVM is from YOI, one of our partners and they would have the detailed info for that. We dont have access to this information. This is similar to any other components that we use on the EVM. We would have the detailed information for the TI components like DMD, controller...etc

    The EVM is an evaluation module to test our components - DMD and the controller and is supported as-is.

    Unfortunately, we will not be able to support these custom modifications directly. We do want to support but it's just the scope and complexity is too high for such sustom requests and would require a lot of resources and time. Hope you understand this.

    You can email me or send me a private message to better understand your requirements and suggest any other solutions that are better suited for your application. From what you describe on NIR Laser...etc, you might be doing something like 3D scanning using NIR light.. If you let us know more details, we may be able to let you know some 3P modules in development that could work. Still, 2 weeks is tough but we will do our best and it depends on what you are trying to do.

    Thanks

    Srik