Design of LCOS Microdisplay Backplanes for Projection Applications

implementations, along with the results obtained. It is not the aim to give detailed
reports of the optical performance, rather is this chapter limited to the chip’s
functionality and peculiarities. As such, it concludes the discussion on micro-display
designs that use the classic AM architecture. It also forms the starting ground for
chapter five, where improvements to the pixel circuit are presented.
These improvements effectively add a second frame-memory to the AM.
These circuit ideas are covered by our patent, essential for both cheaper displays and
so-called single panel systems. Paragraph 5.1 covers the CE switching principle, the
compatibility with continuous light sources and estimates the maximum transistor
count per pixel. Paragraph 5.2 describes a couple of original circuit ideas that
effectively implement the functionality of an additional frame memory. The
resulting pixels are labeled ‘smart pixels’ maybe because of the functionality offered
notwithstanding the limited area available.
The fourth and last part of the book is composed of conclusions and
appendices – actually they contain information that is not only useful for the
previous chapters. They contain concise datasheets of the designs that were made as
well as a beginner's hands-on manual of verification software. This way, I hope this
book can also be useful for anyone desiring to learn about IC design, in particular
about the design of lcos microdisplays.