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DLPDLCR230NPEVM: Custom FPGA firmware to convert RGB666 into BW18 bit

Ufuk Gorkem Kirabali
Prodigy 30 points
Part Number: DLPDLCR230NPEVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLPC3436, DLP230NP

Hello,

In a project I work on there is a need for a high speed spatial light modulator, which should be also not so expensive, at least for proof of concept period. During a check on your portfolio I encountered with DLPDLCR230NPEVM, which seems to be capable of working @240Hz for 960x540 RGB666 images.

Now I am thinking about the possibility of increasing frame-rate by manipulating the FPGA controller on EVM, so that 3x6 bits of color information input can be evaluated as 18 bits of monochrome(black-white, 0-1) info. Theoretically this makes our light modulator as @720Hz in monochrome mode. 

To be able to do this, I plan to use an FPGA(Arty A7 as cost effective option) and connect digital output pins directly to EVM GPIO input pins, according to DPI pin layout without Raspberry Pi board. For software/firmware modifications on controller/FPGA, definitely I can use Raspberry Pi, but on real time working, it seems that there is no need to rely on RPi4. 

Do you think that my scenario can work ? Is there any technical hurdles/constraints which I missed ? Could I directly manipulate FPGA/Controller on EVM ?

I would be grateful for your kindly support.

Gorkem. 

  • 0
    TI__Expert 3825 points

    Hello User,

    Welcome to the E2E forum and thank you for your interest in DLP technology!

    Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please allow us to investigate this and someone from our team will soon reach out to you.

    Appreciate your patience

    Regards,

    Akhil

  • 0
    TI__Genius 12785 points

    Hello Gorkem,

    Unfortunately we will not be able to support your request on the basis of a couple of points. First, the DLPC3436 (the DLP230NP micro-controller) is only capable of 240Hz frame rates. 720Hz frame rates will not be achievable.

    Second, we are not able to support an 18 bit monochrome build. Section 7.3.1.1.1 of the DLPC3436 Datasheet specifies that the data format on the DLPC3436 PDATA(23:0) pins (the video data input pins) is always RGB888. An objective of reformatting this data would entail significant alterations to the DLPC firmware.

    Kind regards,

    Austin

  • 0 in reply to Austin Snyder
    Prodigy 30 points

    Dear Austin,

    Thanks a lot for quick support. It seems that we could not manipulate firmware.  

    In DLPC3436 Datasheet, there is no constraint on color selection. In that case, I can use 3 different color channels as 3 separate monochrome frames.

    Afaik, DMD shows RGB frames in order but really fast(in our case 240Hz for 3 frames), so we realize it like RGB colored. When I disable LED driver, theoretically I can increase monochrome frame rate. 

    Am I still missing some critical points ?  

    Best regards,

    Gorkem.

  • +1 in reply to Ufuk Gorkem Kirabali
    TI__Genius 12785 points

    Hello Gorkem,

    Your idea is creative in pushing the limits of the DLPC3436, but I am afraid it will ultimately not work due to the nature of sequences within the controller. Sequences are the order of bursts of light from the LED's which are synchronized with instructions driving the DMD mirror operation. We have engineered these sequences to balance color point and create content definition. It appears that you may be thinking the sequences operate at a single color cycle wherein all red content, then all green content, and then finally all blue content (or any order of these colors) is projected individually. In the actual use of the controller the color are interspersed between each other. There are typically multiple instances of a color, or multiple color cycles, within a single frame. 

    Altering the FPGA code to divide incoming data into three sequential monochrome frames would be a big task. However, even if this were able to be accomplished, the DLPC would display this content from the FPGA as bitplanes of the 'red,' 'blue,' and 'green' mixed with each other in no obvious order. 

    Given your end application, I would suggest considering our light control options. As opposed to our display chispets, our light control chipsets are specialized in displaying patterns over a specified exposure period with modifiable dark times.

    Regards,

    Austin

  • 0 in reply to Austin Snyder
    Prodigy 30 points

    Hello Austin, 

    Huge thanks for detailed explanation. Now I understand the bottleneck in terms of practical implementation.

    Definitely I would check products which you offered. 

    Gorkem.