Image Pattern Data Streaming over HDMI to LightCrafter

Adnan Kurt

Hi DLP Developers,

PreS. I have posted a similar message to LabView Forum to get their advise as well. So, basic introduction is a remnant of that activity. I kept it for correct replication.

I am writing a program for laser beam scanning with TI LightCrafter for an optical microscopy research project at Koc University, Istanbul. When bitmap images are displayed on LightCrafter, and setup accordingly each pixel can be controlled. LightCrafter is connected through HDMI and is DVI complied. It is handled as a second monitor to the Windows OS (mine is Win7). Frame refresh rate 60Hz, and gets RGB data stream.

What I do, is very basically, generating a white pixel and let it move accross the mxn pixels screen. This is the basis of scanning I am after. All of the required processes are very well handled under LabView & IMAQ. However I am stuck into a serious condition:

I am unable to guarantee the displayed pixel's persistance time on the screen, and whether each pixel is displayed or not. Well, I am trying to use Wait function within IMAQ WindDraw procedure, in agreement with the frame rate (about 16.6 ms total for 60Hz rate). Still my application requires exact operation, and I need to make sure that each active/ highlighted pixel is displayed once (or preset number), and all of those pixels are displayed when they are commanded.

I understand that video monitor runs itself, and whenever a new frame is sent to the screen with WindDraw, it is displayed. And will continue to be displayed until a new frame/ image is sent. For this operation I have no feedback and no data.

My question is: Do any of you have an idea how to realize this operation with LabView tools, or external code or any other method?

I will appreciate your advise a lot.

Best Regards,
Adnan Kurt

over 9 years ago

0 Sanjeev over 9 years ago

TI__Mastermind 30875 points

Hi Adnan,

I am not aware if there is simple way on the LabView but there is open source code SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer), links https://wiki.libsdl.org/Introduction https://www.libsdl.org/ you may want to consider using these libraries.

Regards,
Sanjeev

0 Adnan Kurt over 9 years ago in reply to Sanjeev

Intellectual 665 points

Dear Sanjeev,

Thanks for your advise. After reviewing what I might get with SDL, I've thought about my code. And I think I've found a solution: I am disposing each image after a frame period+delta (i.e. 17mS) with IMAQ Dispose function. Then the image sequence becomes a controlled flow, I suppose. I will measure the pixel scan, and will be sure about the result.

Regards,
Adnan

0 Adnan Kurt over 9 years ago in reply to Adnan Kurt

Intellectual 665 points

Unfortunately my efforts did not succeed. I could not manage to get seamless/ controllable pattern projection. If anyone has experience on sending external 1bit patterns over HDMI to the LightCrafter, I would appreciate to get their advise: Development tools, windows libraries, frame control/ trigger techniques, etc.

Regards,
Adnan

0 Sanjeev over 9 years ago in reply to Adnan Kurt

TI__Mastermind 30875 points

Hi Adnan,
You may want to experiment with EP (Embedded Processor) platforms such as BeagleBoneBlack where you have direct control over the frame-buffer. One key requirement would be to familiarity to embedded programming and linux kernel programming.
Regards,
Sanjeev

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Image Pattern Data Streaming over HDMI to LightCrafter