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DLPDLCR3310EVM: DLPDLCR3310EVM

Part Number: DLPDLCR3310EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLP3310, DLP4710EVM-LC, DLP3010EVM-LC, DLPC-API, DLPDLC-GUI, DLPC3479, DLP4710

Hi experts,

I was looking for a good DLP EVM and found this DLPDLCR3310EVM. My application for, research and academic purpose, suits the specifications of DLPDLCR3310EVM without a light engine. I looked on

TI E2E™ support forum but not got the exact answer. Can you please suggest to me possibilities to operate DLPDLCR3310EVM without a light engine? Can I easily control DMD through FPGA in the scenario of no light engine?


Thank you

Mumtaz Ali

Researcher

University of Glasgow

  • Hello Mumtaz,

    Welcome to DLP forum and thank your interest in DLP technology.

    The firmware for DLP3310 EVM uses DMD and an optical actuator in the optical engine to create a 1080P image. Driving directly DMD without actuator  will not give you the correct result.

    Could you please details about your requirement so that we can  suggest the best  EVM  for your application?

     regards,

    Vivek

  • Hi Vivek,

    Thanks for your response. Following are our main requirements:

    1) Price, resolution, and pattern rate, binary (Max): Similar to  DLP3310

    2) Operate from USB interface or any other standard interface of a computer running Ubuntu

    3) Laser experiments need DMD without a light engine

    Hope for your expert suggestion in relation to our application requirements.

    Thank you

    Mumtaz

  • Hi Mumtaz,

    The DLP4710EVM-LC (1080p) or the DLP3010EVM-LC (720p) would fit your needs very well.

    I hope this helps.

    Thank you,

    Chris

  • Hi Chris,
    Thanks for sending useful information. The board DLP4710EVM-LC looks more related to our work. I have some queries related to DLP4710EVM-LC:
    1) Can we easily increase the pattern rates from 1440 Hz if we reduce the resolution or any other way?
    2) Is the version of Ubuntu important to send commands to board DLP4710EVM-LC through USB interface?
    3) I am trying to find the link which highlights the possibility and way to remove the light engine from DLP4710EVM-LC?
    4) For our laser experiments with DMD (without a light engine), do we need to make changes in the firmware of DLP4710EVM-LC?

    Thank you

    Mumtaz

  • Hello Mumtaz,

    We will review your questions and get back early next week.

    regards,

    Vivek

  • Hi Vivek,

    I hope that the board DLP4710EVM-LC will be sufficient for our experiments and your response will definitely help us.

    Thank you

    Mumtaz

  • Mumtaz,

    Let me step in and attempt to answer some of your questions.

    Regarding #2, you asked about using Ubuntu to drive the DLP4710-LC EVM. The DLP4710-LC EVM is driven via a Cypress chip with interfaces with the USB port on the system. The Light Control GUI which supports this EVM normally is Windows Only (https://www.ti.com/tool/DLPDLC-GUI). If you want to drive the system using Linux, you will need to do two things:

    1) You will need to find a way to drive the Cypress USB chip via a Linux driver. I'm not aware if such a thing exists, as all of our Cypress-enabled software is Windows based.

    2) You will need to install the Python-based DLPC-API https://www.ti.com/tool/DLPC-API which is a API with the commands used to control the DLP4710-LC EVM. Of course, in order to make proper use of this API you will need the Cypress USB chip to work on your Linux system.

    We do not have any official support for the above. Unfortunately, there is no DLPDLC-GUI version for Linux systems.

    Regarding #3 and #4, the DLP4710-LC EVM will refuse to boot in normal conditions if the LEDs are not connected. In order to boot without the LED connections, you would need modified EVM firmware.

  • Hi Philippe,

    Thanks for sending the information.

    I have checked the information on the internet for Cypress chip driver for Linux and found some source files. I will check those.

    As I need modified EVM firmware, can you please share information that how I get this modified firmware?

    Hope that some information shared about the methods to increase the frame rate from 1440 Hz and the steps of removing the light engine. 

    Thank you

    Mumtaz

  • Hello Mumtaz,

    Could you please answer following questions:

    1. Could you please confirm that you will be using only one laser (monochrome), not multiple wavelength?

    2. The laser will be always on, you would be modulating light  using DMD only.

    1-bit Frame rate : The DLP4710EVM-LC uses the DLP4710DMDLC DMD and DLPC3479 controller.  The 1-bit pattern rate is limited by the controller. It can not be increased beyond that.

    www.ti.com/.../dlpc3479.pdf

    Please review the DLPC3479 datasheet and programmer guide  for details about driving the DMD chipset.

    www.ti.com/.../dlpu081a.pdf

    regards,

    Vivek

  • Hi Vivek,

    Thanks for sending useful information.

    Our application will use single laser (1550nm or 1310 nm) and DMD will be used for modulation (SLM). Is there any restriction on a specific wavelength of laser that we can use with the DLP4710 DMD?

    The frame rate and the datasheets of the DLPC3479 controller are fine and good for running but if we remove the light engine of the board then the booting will be the issue.

    I can easily download the DLPC-API, default firmware of EVM, and sample code of MSP430 on your website. I am trying to find how the modified firmware can be generated to successfully boot the EVM without a light engine.

    Thank you

    Mumtaz

  • Hello Mumtaz,

    There are some simpler work around. Please leave the LED connection of the optical engine connected as it and only take out DMD and mounting hardware along with flex cable and use on your optical setup.  You can drive the laser separately and it is not modulated.

    Wavelength -  Please note that DLPC4710LC DMD window has visible AR coating. The efficiency will be significantly lower at the wavelength of your interest. Please refer to the application note on "Wavelength Transmittance Considerations for DLP® DMD Window" :

    www.ti.com/.../dlpa031e.pdf

    The DMD is very sensitive to noise and loose connection.  There is high chances that any loose connection or hot unplug may do permanent damage to DMDs. It is a good idea to order few extra DMDs from TI store.

    regards,

    Vivek

  • Hi Vivek,

    Thanks for sending useful information.

    Yes, we are considering the reduction in the transmittance for wavelength 1550 nm and 1310 nm for DLP4710 DMD. I need some guidance on the following:

    1) What will be the effect on the performance of DMD if we use laser light modulated?

    2) Some confusion when we restrict DMD to monochromatic illumination (single wavelength)? We have most DLP EVM with three color LEDs and the same DMD

    3) Your solution to use DMD with laser is good but possibly we want to remove the light engine and need a modified firmware. In this regard, I hope that TI provides support in getting the modified firmware. I am referring following links which clearly say that modified firmware will be provided by TI for DLP4710EVM-LC:


    e2e.ti.com/.../883779
    e2e.ti.com/.../470678

    Thank you

    Mumtaz

     



  • Hello Mumtaz,

    Please find response to your questions:

    1) What will be the effect on the performance of DMD if we use laser light modulated?

    ==> Normally Illumination source (LED) switching is controlled by DLCP3479 controller and it synchronized with the DMD mirror switching.  The light source is independently modulated, there is may stray lght espeically when DMD mirrors are switching and illumination is on.  However ,the Mirror switching is very fast (10-15 uS) and may nit have an adverse effect.

    2) Some confusion when we restrict DMD to monochromatic illumination (single wavelength)? We have most DLP EVM with three color LEDs and the same DMD

    The DLP4710EVM-LC uses DLPC3479 controller. Please review the DLPC3479 programmer guide fo details about controlling DMD and running with monochrome light source especially illumination control.

    www.ti.com/.../dlpu081a.pdf

    3) Your solution to use DMD with laser is good but possibly we want to remove the light engine and need a modified firmware. In this regard, I hope that TI provides support in getting the modified firmware. I am referring following links which clearly say that modified firmware will be provided by TI for DLP4710EVM-LC:

    I understand your previous reference. It will be efficient if you use standard version of firmware.  We continue to update and modify firmware and tools. If customer uses a purpose built firmware then they have to depend on purpose built firmware for future. This may slow you down.

    regards,

    Vivek