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DLP2010EVM-LC: Binary file format for external pattern mode.

Part Number: DLP2010EVM-LC

I want to control 2D light patterns and exposures with this DLP.

I want to update patterns and synchronize with a camera using software. I do not need very high speed but hopefully I would like to achieve 10 Hz or so.

I read through the user guides and I guess the splash pattern mode is suitable for my purpose. 

I understood the command in "3.7 Flash Update Commands" on "DLPC3470 and DLPC3478 Software Programmer's Guide"

but do not know the file format.

I would like to generate patterns with software like python and send it to the board.

Is there any sample code available that helps me understand?

Thanks.

  • Hello,

    Welcome to TI E2E forums and thanks for showing interest in the DLP technology.

    Please refer to the below screenshot from the Software Programmers Guide, it should answer your query related to the file format - 

    Regarding your second query - we do not have a sample code for generating 2D patterns, but I guess after knowing the recommended file format you can generate the patterns using python, MATLAB, C++, etc.

    Regards,

    Mayank

  • Thank you for the reply, Mayank.

    Since I am not familiar with image formats, let me ask one more question.

    In the RGB565 format, do I need any header information or should I just write a sequence of RGB 16bit data?

    Thanks,

    Kensuke

  • Kensuke,

    It is expected that valid images are stored in the flash and hence you will the header information as well to generate a valid RGB image.

    Regards,

    Mayank

  • Mayank,

    I searched on the internet but could not find the RGB565 header definition. 

    Is supposed to be a BMP or PNM?

    Thanks,

    Kensuke

  • Kensuke,

    Are you looking to update your patterns on the fly? You may have trouble if you are trying to update the splash screen, which requires rewrite of system EEPROM flash memory.

    Can you descibe your application in more detail?

    Regards,

    Philippe Dollo

  • Thank you for your replay, Philippe.

    I want to project 2D patterns and take that image with a camera. There are possibly 800x480=384,000 patterns and theoretically I need to project all of them. For example I'd like to project pixel by pixel. The application need not to be in real-time, but I want to switch patterns about 10 Hz so that I can finish the measurement fast enough.

    At first I thought I would try the display mode using HDMI (like a normal projector), but later I found out it is not sufficient since I need to control exposures more precisely and need to sync with the camera. 

    Can I control frame rate and exposure using the display mode?

    thanks,

    Kensuke

  • Kensuke,

    For your first query - 

    Is supposed to be a BMP or PNM? >> The answer is BMP.

    As Phillipe said, if you want to project a very large number of patterns then Splash pattern mode is not recommended as only limited number of patterns can be stored in the flash memory and there is a high latency involved in fetching these patterns from the flash. 

    I would recommend you to consider External Pattern Streaming mode for your application. In this mode, you will have to give the patterns as input to DLPC3478 at runtime using the parallel interface. 

    You can sync the camera with the trigger out signals of DLPC (either Trigger_Out1 or Trigger_Out2).

    Regarding your other query -

    Can I control frame rate and exposure using the display mode? >> 

    Source frame rate up to 123Hz is supported but there is no support for exposure time control.

    Regards,

    Mayank

  • Hi, Mayank

    Thank you for the reply. I will look into the external pattern streaming mode. I will ask questions when I come up more. Thank you for your help.

    By the way, this thread title is not accurate. I should have written as "Binary file format for splash pattern mode". Change the title if you can, please.

    Thanks,

    Kensuke

  • Kensuke,

    Thanks for your feedback.

    Regards,

    Philippe Dollo