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DLPC900: DLPC900 DMD Controller 1-bit Binary Pattern Capacity and Limitations

Part Number: DLPC900
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLPC910, TIDA-00570,
Hello,
I’m currently working with the DLi6500 development kit, and I noticed the memory capacity of the kit caps off at 400 1-bit binary patterns. Is it safe to assume the 48MB of external flash isn’t the limitation, but the internal DRAM of the controller that’s creating this bottle neck? I noticed the 1-bit binary patterns compressed use up very little space, but the firmware on the development kit puts a cap on how many patterns I can address. The application I’m working with requires a maximum of 1080 1-bit patterns while an external trigger cycles through them. Due to the USB’s speed, I don’t believe it’s possible loading the images externally onto the memory for usage while retaining a decent refresh rate (~9kHz). For such an application where the number of patterns are high and the refresh rate and upload latency needs to be low, would I have to use the DLPC910?
If the DLPC910 is required for my application:
I’ve read around the forum, and it appears the TIDA-00570 uses the DLPC910, but the FPGA code is proprietary and not shared?
  • Hi Raymond,

    Internal RAM of DLPC900 controller can hold maximum 400 one-bit binary patterns at a time.
    You can create firmware with 1080 one-bit patterns included with in the firmware and upload it to external flash memory.

    Using Pre-Stored pattern mode, bring 400 one bit patterns from External flash memory  to Internal RAM and display them.

    I have attached 1080 one bit numbered patterns. This will be useful to you for your experiment.
    1080 Number Patterns.zip

    Values of Splash index and Bit position to be provided properly to get required patterns from external flash memory.

    DLPC900 can display internal patterns at 10KHz refresh rate (fastest 1bit is 100us.)

    Regarding DLPC910 i will check with my team and get back.

  • Hi Shivakumar,

    Thanks for the quick reply. Can you elaborate on your comment "You can create firmware with 1080 one-bit patterns included with in the firmware and upload it to external flash memory"? Are you implying we can store all 1080 1-bit patterns in the external flash and just pull in 400 into DRAM at a time? 

    Thank you for providing the numbered bit patterns. That'll be helpful during testing. 

    -Raymond

  • Hi Raymond,

    Yes. I was meaning same.

    "we can store all 1080 1-bit patterns in the external flash and just pull in 400 into DRAM at a time"

  • Hi Shivakumar,

    That's good to know. If that's the case, can you point me to the resources needed to edit the firmware in the DLPC900 to support 1080 1-bit patterns? Right now, we're limited to 400 patterns stored in the external flash, and it's taking quite a bit of time to upload the new patterns over USB.

    Thanks!

    -Raymond

  • Hi Raymond,

    EVM user guide explains all the details needed.

    Section 3.7 Batch Files, 3.9 Firmware Explains details about firmware and adding patterns.
    Please refer to the EVM user guide and let me know for any other queries.

  • Hi Shivakumar,

    Regarding the firmware update, I found this thread () that talks about the maximum 1-bit binary images that can be stored on flash. Is the firmware change mentioned in this post what you're referring to? It appears at the time that post was made, the limit was still 400 but TI has been working on updating the firmware. Just wondering if that change was implemented, as I would ideally like to keep the 1080 1-bit binary images in the flash if possible. The total memory needed to store all the images is ~24Mb so the flash memory should be enough, but the GUI won't let me load more than 400.

    Thanks!

    -Raymond

  • Hi Raymond,

    I will look into the thread.

    Storing 1080 one Bit patterns on the Flash and Displaying 400 Bit patterns at a time should be possible.
    Have you learnt about Building firmware with 1080 one bit patterns and Displaying them in Pre-stored pattern mode?

  • Hi Shivakumar,

    Yes, I looked into Section 3.9 of the EVM manual about firmware. I can't seem to put more than 400 1-bit patterns in at a time still using the steps provided in the manual. Based on the thread I linked before, maybe you're referencing a new firmware build that supports 400+ 1-bit patterns that I might not have loaded on my EVM kit. Is this possible?

    Thanks,

    -Raymond

  • Hi Raymond,

    Old firmware also should work.
    Let me prepare detailed procedure and share it with you.

  • Hi Raymond,

    What GUI version and FW version are you using?

    You can look at the title bar of the GUI for the GUI version and the status bar on the left in the GUI for the FW version.

    Thanks.

    Fizix

  • Hi Fizix,

    GUI is v5.0

    FW is v5.0.1

    Thanks!

    -Raymond

  • Hi Raymond,

    Here is the detailed procedure on Storing 1080 one bit patterns on the flash memory and Displaying them in Pre-Stored pattern mode.

    You might need to refer to EVM user guide and Programmers guide to understand all the operations in detail.

    Please follow the procedure specified in the attached document and update the result.

    Same procedure works with Both Previous and Latest Firmware.

    DLPC900 Storing more than 400 one-bit patterns to Flash and Displaying.docx