Compound Photonics (CP) unveiled its IntelliPix™ Microdisplay Technology Platform for Micro LED featuring multiple video pipeline and system integration innovations addressing power optimization, latency, and bandwidth use with the aim to improve AR experience.

(Image: Compound Photonics)

CP focuses on Micro LED constant current technology platform with a MIPI interface that enables pixel-to-pixel uniformity in the emerging <5μm Micro LED display space for AR/MR near-eye 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 revolutionized the drive architecture to manage images intelligently at the pixel level” stated Edmund Passon, Co-CEO and CTO of Compound Photonics. “IntelliPix™ also integrates its real time video pipeline and programmable drive scheme with adjustable constant current iDrive or voltage driven (vDrive) options into a single chip solution. The overall technology advancement in IntelliPix™ enables up to 100x faster modulation while consuming 4x to 12x less system power across the video pipeline comparing to CP’s previous platforms while unlocking the real potential for Micro LED and future phase –based holographic systems.”

Legacy video pipelines transport full frames/bandwidth to the display subsystem where every transition moves electrons reducing battery life. OnDemand Pixels™, the key component of IntelliPix™, optimizes the drive of pixels based on both content and use environment. This proprietary feature provides power saving as the system modulates video parameters across the field of view, dependent on user activity. This active pixel-based approach also enables for the bursts of increased performance by making more bandwidth and higher refresh rates available for demanding content regions. Additionally, when combined with eye tracking, OnDemand Pixels™ opens the door to foveated rendering with attendant benefits for optimized processing on the SoC/AP.

IntelliPix™’s 100x modulation speed increase takes full advantage of the faster response time of Micro LEDs, 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 Micro LED 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 customizable for resolutions up to 2048 x 2048 and beyond at pixel pitches from ~1.5μm and up. CP is presently engaged with Micro LED 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.