CP Display Unveils IntelliPix platform
Technology platform designed to enable next-generation microLED for real-time AR
Last February, Plessey and Compound Photonics US Corporation (CP, also known as CP Display), a provider of microdisplay solutions for Augmented and Mixed Reality lit up the first 0.26 Inch microLED display module for AR/MR.
Now CP Display has unveiled its IntelliPix Microdisplay Technology Platform for microLED featuring multiple video pipeline and system integration innovations addressing power optimisation, latency, and bandwidth use – all key barriers to the true AR experience needed for widespread consumer adoption.
The IntelliPix microLED focused, constant current (iDrive) technology platform has an MIPI interface that enables pixel-to-pixel uniformity in the emerging sub-5-micron-pixel microLED display space for AR/MR near-eye applications.
“At its core, CP departs from the traditional full bandwidth, raster-based pipeline dating back to the birth of NTSC toward a data flow optimised for real-time AR applications. Given AR imagery, in general, does not fill the entire field of view, only transmitting active pixel data results in the ability to drastically increase performance for those active pixels while reducing overall display sub-system power. “We have again revolutionised the drive architecture to manage images intelligently at the pixel level” stated Edmund Passon, Co-CEO and CTO of Compound Photonics.
Additionally, when combined with eye tracking, OnDemand Pixels opens the door to foveated rendering with attendant benefits for optimised processing on the SoC/AP.
IntelliPix’s 100x modulation speed increase takes full advantage of the faster response time of microLEDs, which can be applied to higher bit depth, refresh rates, or the ability to add multiple focal planes. For phase-based holographic systems, the 100x increase enables complex waveforms providing near zero ripple. The platform also retains all key features of CP’s current NOVA display drive architecture to achieve low latency and on the fly frame by frame control to avoid image lag.
The IntelliPix single-chip design eliminates traditional distinctions between display pixel drive (backplane) and display driver IC (DDIC) functions to reduce the overall physical volume and power consumption. Combined with CP’s integration capabilities for microLED array bonding, device packaging and testing, and optical engine designs, the IntelliPix platform opens new possibilities to meet or exceed AR display size reduction demands.
The IntelliPix Microdisplay Technology Platform, will be available for demo in early 2021. The platform is customisable for resolutions up to 2048 x 2048 and beyond at pixel pitches from ~1.5um and up. CP is presently engaged with microLED technology partners and eco-system providers for initial early integration.
During Display Week in August 3-4, 2020, CP’s head of business and corporate development Mike Lee will present IntelliPix at SID Business Conference and discuss with the display community about how the technology platform presents the opportunities for the industry to accelerate the mainstream AR adoption.
