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DLPLIGHTCRAFTER: DLP3000 Mirrors not moving in response to GUI commands

Ethan Simmons
Prodigy 110 points
Part Number: DLPLIGHTCRAFTER
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLPC300

Hello,

I am trying to use the DLP Lightcrafter EVM (Lightcrafter 3000) with the light engine removed to act as a spatial light modulator for a ~1 mW 450 nm multi-mode laser. I used the Lightcrafter 3000 disassembly guide that's somewhere on these forums to remove the light engine. Additionally, all firmware has been fully updated, including the DM365 firmware, which has been written to the device's NAND flash memory using a microSD card. The Lightcrafter is connected to my computer both by USB as well as by serial, using an RS232-to-USB converter. Windows 7 correctly recognizes the device over the USB interface as an RNDIS Gadget, and virtual ethernet adapter. I am able to ping the device's IP address and get a response. Also, I am able to communicate with the device using the serial interface, which I know because I receive TCP packets back from it that match the queries I've sent. Additionally, when the device is unplugged and the mirrors are in the "parked" state, and I then plug in the power supply, I can hear a high-pitch noise from the mirrors moving to the "off" state. From all of this information, it seems like the device is working correctly. And yet, when using the latest GUI (version 5, I believe), no matter which test pattern I choose, the reflection off of the DLP3000 DMD doesn't change. I have attached pictures of the two parts of the outgoing beam. The only time that I observe a change in the location of the reflected beams is if I disconnect the power supply to the Lightcrafter. Any and all help is greatly appreciated, and please let me know if I need to provide more information. Thanks! 

  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 20045 points
    Hello Ethan,

    Are you able to get any response from the GUI (such as getting the status, changing mode, etc.)? If not see if you can connect to the GUI without having the serial cable connected. I have noticed it has the possibility of interfering with the connection at times.

    Also have you ever been able to control the DMD since dissembling the light engine?

    Thanks,
    Kyle
  • 0 in reply to Kyle Rakos
    Prodigy 110 points
    Yes, the Lightcrafter GUI shows that it is connected and displays the current version of the firmware of the chips, and I'm able to change modes (the bottom left corner shows "command sent SUCCESSFULLY"). And no, since disassembly I have not gotten the DMD to behave as I expect it to. In the next few hours I'm going to reinstall the light engine and see if it still works. I will report back with my results. Thanks!
  • 0 in reply to Ethan Simmons
    Prodigy 110 points

    After reassembling the Lightcrafter, we can only manage to change the color of the projector output. That is, no test pattern or uploaded .bmp static image changes how the output looks. It appears to me that either the DMD is broken or that the DLPC300 DMD controller cannot communicate with the DMD itself. And here is what the image looks like from the projector:

  • 0 in reply to Ethan Simmons
    TI__Mastermind 20045 points
    Hello Ethan,

    Unfortunately when you see an image like that it is usually because either the flex cable or DMD itself is broken. Confirm that the flex cable is connected firmly to see if that fixes the problem. If not, unfortunately you would need to obtain a new flex cable and/or DMD.

    Thanks,
    Kyle
  • 0 in reply to Kyle Rakos
    Prodigy 110 points

    I have checked that the flex cable is firmly connected and I'm still seeing the same thing, so I'm assuming something is broken. Given the behavior that I've observed, is it likely that the circuit boards are functioning properly and that replacing the DLP3000 would fix the issue? Or do you think the circuit boards are faulty as well?

  • 0 in reply to Ethan Simmons
    TI__Mastermind 20045 points
    Obviously it's difficult to be 100% sure but usually when I see a pattern like that it is because there is an issue with the DMD. It could be verified by using another light engine and seeing if it can be driven by the same PCB.

    Thanks,
    Kyle
  • 0 in reply to Ethan Simmons
    Intellectual 385 points

    Hi Ethan,

    when making your setup, did you by any chance remove the DMD and put it back into its socket?

    I did it once and have put the DMD DLP3000 upside down by mistake. After that I got similar symptoms, luckily nothing was damaged and when I corrected the polarity of DMD chip, everything worked fine.

    Karl

  • 0 in reply to Karl Basker
    TI__Mastermind 20045 points
    Thanks for the tip Karl, that sounds worth checking.

    And I should have emphasized before that you can also check with another flex cable before replacing the DMD to see if that's the issue.

    Thanks,
    Kyle