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Properties of the Illumination module of Lightcommander

Shalin Mehta
Prodigy 60 points

Hello,

We are considering purchase of lightcommander to couple its light-engine with a microscope. The key requirement is that the output of the illumination module be of (more or less) uniform intensity and uniform angular distribution at the output. For me to judge the properties of the output light, is it possible to have a schematic of the optical arrangement  of the core optics module and illumination module? For example, I am wondering how the non-uniform light from LED is made homogeneous? Does Lightcommander use integration rod and TIR prism?

A secondary question related to the above:

The video http://e2e.ti.com/videos/m/dlp_mems/240437.aspx helpfully describes that one can combine the illumination module, power supply and control module on an optical bench. With that much hardware, can one connect an HDMI input to drive the DMD? Will that hardware be controllable with logicPD software?

 

And a tertiary question:

What are (ballpark) dimensions and weight of the light-engine and control board once mounted on the optical bench?

 

Thank you

Shalin

  • 0
    TI__Prodigy 435 points

    Hello Shalin,

    I'm glad to learn that you are considering the Light Commander kit for your microscopy application.  Let me try to answer your three questions:

    1. The LED beams are combined into a single beam through a trio of dichroic mirrors in the illumination module.  The beam then goes through a condenser lens before entering the core optics module.  There the Light Commander uses an integrator rod to improve uniformity, and a ser of curved and flat mirrors to steer the beam into the DMD.  I recommend contacting LogicPD if you would like to access actual schematics. 

    2. I'm not sure I understand your question about controlling the hardware with the LogicPD software, can you clarify this for me?  The Light Commander has an HDMI interface to display input video from a PC source, but I don't think this is what you are referring to.

    3. I will send you actual dimensions and weight estimates for the ligh enginer and controller board tomorrow.  In the mean time, you can use the video to get a rough approximation of the dimensions of the modules (total dimensions for the kit are 439mm x 238mm x 179mm).

    Regards,

    Raul

  • 0 in reply to raul55377
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hello Raul,

    Thanks for a prompt response. Following up with your notes,

    1. I will get in touch with LogicPD for the schematic of light path. In your experience, however, how uniform is the light-intensity that strikes the DMD? I have almost zero experience with consumer display technology (to which the lightcommander is targeted) - how important is the uniformity of the intensity falling onto the DMD for this industry?

    2. At some occasions, I would like to use video input from PC. At other occasions, I would like to access certain blocks of DMD directly. I estimate that LogicPD has API that allows access to blocks of pixels. My question actually was: once the light-engine and controller board are put on an optical bench, do HDMI and USB inputs remain usable?

    3. Please let me have the actual weight and dimensions. I need to mount the thing on a platform at some height behind a microscope.

    best
    Shalin

    raul said:

    Hello Shalin,

    I'm glad to learn that you are considering the Light Commander kit for your microscopy application.  Let me try to answer your three questions:

    1. The LED beams are combined into a single beam through a trio of dichroic mirrors in the illumination module.  The beam then goes through a condenser lens before entering the core optics module.  There the Light Commander uses an integrator rod to improve uniformity, and a ser of curved and flat mirrors to steer the beam into the DMD.  I recommend contacting LogicPD if you would like to access actual schematics. 

    2. I'm not sure I understand your question about controlling the hardware with the LogicPD software, can you clarify this for me?  The Light Commander has an HDMI interface to display input video from a PC source, but I don't think this is what you are referring to.

    3. I will send you actual dimensions and weight estimates for the ligh enginer and controller board tomorrow.  In the mean time, you can use the video to get a rough approximation of the dimensions of the modules (total dimensions for the kit are 439mm x 238mm x 179mm).

    Regards,

    Raul

     

  • 0
    Prodigy 40 points

    Hi Shalin,

    With the equipment set up on an optical bench, you can use an HDMI input and interface to the controller / DMD using the LightCommander control software.

    The Light Engine weighs 3,056.2 g, the DMD and Bracket weighs 47.1 g, and the controller with sheet metal brackets weighs 926.84 g.  The approximate envelope dimensions of the LightEngine and Controller / DMD set up on a bench  are Length 31.75 cm, Width 21.6 cm, and Height 14.0 cm.  I hope this helps.  

  • 0 in reply to Pat Hamilton
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi Pat, Thanks very much for the info. Can you please also comment on the uniformity of the intensity of light at the DMD? May I request results of following simple test, which you may already have done? I am glad to do the tests myself if I can request a unit on loan for a week. These tests will be great help in deciding whether we should go with the light-commander.

    If we image the pattern produced by DMD onto good CCD/CMOS detector (e.g. by using SLR camera or one of the microscopy cameras), do we

    a) measure uniform intensity when all pixels on the DMD are turned on?

    b) measure linear intensity ramp when we put 8-bit linear ramp that goes from 0 to 255 from one edge of the DMD to the other edge?

    Best

    Shalin