• State TI Thinks Resolved
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 7 replies
  • Answers 4 answers
  • Subscribers 29 subscribers
  • Views 1402 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Support feedback
Options
Options
Related

This thread has been locked.

If you have a related question, please click the "Ask a related question" button in the top right corner. The newly created question will be automatically linked to this question.

Need help finding an optical engine for project

Manuel Degracia
Prodigy 195 points

Hi Everyone,

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and am in need of assistance for a project I am working on. Essentially, I need an optical engine that can have a display area of approximately 3" x 4" at a maximum distance around 5 inches and projected at around 45 degrees. So instead of having a large image, which projectors are used for, I need the opposite. I've done research on the EVM's Ti has to offer, but none of the spec sheets detail the minimum focus distance and I don't think any of them can achieve what I need based off the throw ratios. I am new to this technology and how to properly describe what I need in proper terminology, so I apologize in advance. Any help and guidance would be deeply appreciated.

  • 0
    TI__Intellectual 2405 points

    Hello Manuel,

    Thank you for your interest in our DLP Technology.  I'm going to work to find the answer to your question, but I am wondering if you can provide more information.

    I am going to assume screen resolution is not very important to you since the image is so small anyways.  Correct?

    Do you know what LED current you are trying to use?  Is there specific brightness needs?

    I can tell you that our EVMs only support keystone from +/-40 degrees, so 45 degrees is not supported.  Would this suit your needs?

  • 0 in reply to John P. Morrison
    Prodigy 195 points
    Hi John Morrison,

    You are correct, screen resolution is not a factor since it is a small area, so resolutions like WVGA or anything similar will work. As for the LED current, I am not sure, but the brightness needs to be enough to cover what ever color the display screen may be. For instance, if the display screen has a red or blue pattern, instead of the usual white or black screen, the projection should be bright enough to cover the pattern. I'm assuming <100 lumens will suffice. I may be wrong, so I'll listen to any advice you have for me. As for the keystone, are you saying that it supports 40 degrees or less? If so, I suppose it still can support our needs. I can just alter the positioning/placement of the optical engine. Thank you again for the help John!
  • 0 in reply to Manuel Degracia
    TI__Intellectual 2405 points

    Manuel,

    Based on this information, I believe that the DLP® LightCrafter Display 2010 EVM is going to be your optimal choice.  The minimum focus range is specified as 5" in the user's guide, but I am able to get it focused with default image at just under 4".  At a distance of 5", the screen dimensions are roughly 3.5" x 2" (W x H).  Typical lumen output is 25 lumens. 

    I would suggest reading through the DLP® LightCrafter™ Display 2010 EVM User’s Guide.  If you need more lumens or higher LED currents, you might consider the DLP® LightCrafter Display 3010 EVM; and you can again find those parameters in the user's guide for that EVM. 

    Keystone Correction is a programmable functionality that allows the user to adjust for the projector tilt.  When the projector is tilted vertically , the length at the top of the image will not be the same as the length at the bottom.  Software allows correction for this effect, but only up to +/-40 degrees.

    Please let me know if you have any further questions.

  • 0 in reply to John P. Morrison
    Prodigy 195 points
    Hi John,

    Do you know of any optical engines that I can buy from a third party that can meet my specifications of a 4" x 3" area?

    Additionally, after reading the 2010 EVM technical documents, can I have the optical engine separated from the pcb boards by using longer flex cables/led cables?

    Thank you,
    Manuel
  • 0 in reply to Manuel Degracia
    TI__Intellectual 2405 points

    Manuel,

    My apologies.  When you said approximately 3"x4", I thought maybe that was a close enough match.  It might be useful for me to have more details about what you are trying to accomplish in the end with this so that I better understand your needs? 

    My measurements are done from straight on with no angle.  If you care about the distance of the lens to the center of the image, that is also different than if you just care about the horizontal distance being 5".  Does that make sense? 

    I measured the 3010EVM screen dimensions at 5" distance to be 4.375" width by 2.375" height (again, using straight on measurements with no angle). Maybe that is better?

    We do have a list of our Optical Module Manufacturers posted online.  You can follow that link to the list and perhaps they will also be able to help you better find a better solution.

    You could separate the optical engine from the pcb and connect longer flex and LED cables; however, you would have to be careful to still meet all of our specs and ensure signal integrity is not violated.

  • 0 in reply to John P. Morrison
    Prodigy 195 points

    Hi John,

    Sorry if the way I described things were confusing. So for specific details I would need to have a projected image area of 4" x 3" from a projection angle of 24 degrees +- 5 degrees, not straight. And the angle was determined from where the center of the image will be in reference to the location of the optical engine. I hope that helps, if not, I can answer any more questions you may have.

    I do have a diagram of what I am building, but I cannot share it publicly on these forums. I can email it to you personally so you can have a better grasp of what I am trying to accomplish.

    Manuel

  • 0 in reply to Manuel Degracia
    TI__Intellectual 2405 points

    Manuel,

    I have responded to you via email.  Please check your email and let me know if you have anymore questions.