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Modify Lightcrafter 4500 to use DLP4500NIR

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLP4500, DLP4500NIR

Hello,

I would like to have an equally functional DLPLightcrafter for the near infrared region as you offer for the visible region DLPLightcrafter6500.

However, the DLPLightcrafter4500 already comes with lenses and light sources. I have my own particular application based on coherent light and a infrared optimised optical setup. I am therefore only interested in a lightcrafter that simply enables the modification of an incident beam (same parts of light directed into optical system and others directed in way that they can not enter the system.) Thank you for your help and any suggestions in advance!

Kind regards

Daniel

  • Hi Daniel,

    TI unfortunately doesn't offer what you're looking for. The only advice I can give is that you reach out to our design partners and see if they have any offerings that might fit what you're looking for. A couple that would be good to start with are Keynote Photonics and Wintech.

    e2e.ti.com/.../3404.design-network-partners

    Thanks,
    Paul
  • Dear Paul,

    thanks for your quick reply.

    Is there any chance that I could use DLP® LightCrafter™ 4500 and remove the lenses and light sources,

    so I can still use the device for my applications in the near infrared region (800nm-900nm)?

    Kind regards

    Daniel

  • HI Daniel,

    Take a look at EKB: http://www.ekb.co.il/

    They offer DLP4500 engines with NIR lasers or LEDs - this could be what you're looking for.

    You can modify the Lightcrafter EVM if you'd like, it's certainly been done before. If you do a search of the forums, you'll find more detail on that. It requires some code modification due to safety checks that the firmware performs, but it is possible. Using the DLP4500 at 800 to 900nm requires keeping good cooling of the device and less than 10mW/cm^2 of power on the device.

    Thanks,
    Paul
  • I now got the suggested DLP LightCrafter4500 for my near infrared applications.

    Is there any chance that I could get the filter curves of the dichroitic beamsplitter plates used?

    Moreover, I will have to adjust the illumination design to match the infrared application (800-900nm).

    I will therefore have to replace the lenses used in the illumination path (in front of the lenslet array).

    Is there any chance that you could send me the illumination design so I can adjust it for my infrared applications?

    Are the two prisms in front of the DMD device antireflectively coated for the visible?

    Best regards

    Daniel

  • Hi Daniel,

    This information would have to come from EKB if that's who you purchased the EVM through. TI doesn't do the optical designs for these evaluation modules.Please reach out to their support to see if they can provide any further information.

    -Paul

  • We tried to replace the DLP4500 on the control board of the DLPLightCrafter4500 with the DLP4500NIRFQE.

    However, the PC does not even recognise the device as a new heardware, although only the DMD with an identical pin assigment has been replaced.

    Everything else such as the LEDs are still connected to the control board.

    Do you have any idea what may have gone wrong?

    I would be very grateful if you could help me sorting out this issue.

    All the best

  • What method did you use to replace the DMD? Right now the computer/GUI will no longer recognize the device over USB?

    I would do another careful pass to make sure that all the signals were correctly reconnected - each flex is in place, connectors seated properly, etc.

    Pictures of your modification might be useful as well.

    Thanks,

    Paul

  • Dear Paul,
    I took some images of the board, but do not see a menu button in this forum, which enables uploading these images.
    Could you please forward me an email address I can these images to?

    Kind regards
  • If you use the "Use rich formatting" option in the bottom right-hand side of the post box, you'll be able to add images.

    -Paul
  • Great

    please find images attached. The first without the DLP4500 and the second with DLP4500NIR.

    We paid attention that the orientation of the DLP is in accordance with the previously connected cable of the DLP4500.

    When connecting the device the LED at position D7 lights up red, whereas when connecting the cable with DLP4500 it goes green and all works fine.

  • The fact that D7 is red tells me that there is an issue with the POSENSE signal. Are you able to attach the DLP4500NIR to the flex? Does it work then?

    I'll need some time to take a deeper look at the schematics and see if I can figure out why directly attaching doesn't work. When the DMD is attached to the connector directly, do any of the test pads contact components on the board? I'm thinking of possible shorts or other interference.

    -Paul
  • What is D4 doing when the DMD is attached directly to the connector?

    -Paul
  • Daniel,

    If you look at the datasheet for the DLP4500NIR and the schematic for the Lightcrafter, you'll see that the pin-outs are not the same, which means that the flex is not just a straight through flex and you will not get desired operation on the board by directly attaching the DMD.

    -Paul
  • I would reach out to WinTech Digital (EVM manufacturer and design house) for further information on the flex and the optical module. They might be able to provide you useful information to accomplish what you're looking for. www.wintechdigital.com/index.php

    We also have a design network partner which has designed their own NIR optics and hardware based on the DLP4500NIR. If this interests you, send me a friend request on E2E and we can discuss further offline.

    -Paul
  • Dear Paul,
    did you figure out what may be the problem?
    Could the DMD (DLP4500NIRFQE) be broken?

    Cheers
    Daniel
  • Daniel,

    My previous two posts should answer your question - let me know if they don't!

    Thanks,
    Paul