High-resolution Technology for Liquid Crystal Microdisplays
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High-resolution Technology
for Liquid Crystal Microdisplays

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Overview

On general liquid crystal microdisplays, it is difficult to achieve a high contrast ratio, wide color gamut and rapid response at the same time as high definition. However, the reflective liquid crystal microdisplay SXRD™ (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) has reflective pixel electrodes arranged on the surface of the Si substrate and the circuits to drive the liquid crystal under them, so in principle, higher definition is possible.

The reflective liquid crystal microdisplay from Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS) has original backplane design, pixel electrode processing technology and liquid crystal molecular orientation to realize the displaying of high resolution, high resolution images without sacrificing brightness.

Performance required for projector display devices
High luminance High light efficiency by high transmittance/reflectance
High resolution High resolution images by a large number of pixels
Compact Compact and light projector lense and other optical parts by downsized display devices
High contrast ratio Real images with true black display devices
High light resistance Keeping image quality and characteristics under strong incident light
High durability Long term use (maintenance-free)

Pixel density 53 ppi

General 4K organic EL television

General 4K organic EL television
Number of pixels 3,840 x 2,160 (4K)
Display size: 83 inch

Pixel density 643 ppi

General smartphone

General smartphone
Number of pixels 3,840 x 1,644 (based on SID standard)
Display size: 6.5 inch

Pixel density 5,976 ppi

General projector

General projector
Number of pixels 1,920 x 1,080
Display size: 0.37 inch

Technical Features

Backplane circuit design technology<SXRD>

A higher resolution in the display image quality is realized by arranging more pixels in the display device. For this reason, the keys to resolution are how to make the individual pixels smaller and how to make the gaps between pixels narrower.

As an example, there are 2.07 million pixels (full HDTV: 1920H x 1080V) arranged on the 0.37-type SXRD, which has a rectangular shape with a 0.37 inch diagonal (and 16:9 display aspect ratio). The size of a single pixel is 4.25μm square and the pixels are arranged with extremely narrow gaps, with only around 0.2 μm between the pixels. This realizes a smooth image with no feeling of mesh like a screen door.

In general, on microdisplays for projectors, the narrower pixel pitch is, the more likely it is that light will leak to the pixel driving element and that the performance of the pixel driving element will be degradess, which can easily lead to deterioration of the image quality. However, on SXRD, the addition of a light shielding layer and the optimization of the pixel structure have greatly improved the light shielding characteristics. It is even possible to maintain the image quality performance when there is strong incident light.

Backplane circuit design technology<SXRD>1
Backplane circuit design technology<SXRD>1
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Backplane circuit design technology<SXRD>2
Backplane circuit design technology<SXRD>2
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Backplane pixel electrode process technology<SXRD>

In general, on microdisplays for projectors, the narrower the pixel pitch is, the more likely it is that the space between pixels will not only lead to light loss and also that disorder in the liquid crystal alignment will lead to contrast reduction. For these issues, the unique pixel electrode production process on SXRD realizes a narrow and flat space between pixels. A high resolution projector is realized by combining these technologies and other technologies such as normally black mode using inorganic alignment technology.

Backplane pixel electrode process technology<SXRD>
Backplane pixel electrode process technology<SXRD>
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High image quality signal processing technology for projectors <System IC>

SSS provides the following high image qulity signal processing technology to achieve the high image quality demanded of projectors.

[1] Keystone correction

Keystone correction is a function for coordinate transformation into an arbitrary shape within the projection plane of a projector. It has three types of coordinate transformation function.

• Diagonal keystone: Geometric deformation by projective transformation
• Warping: Correction such as pincushion-barrel shaped correction by screen edge vector setting
• Moving Vector correction: Arbitrary deformation using lattice vectors

[1] Keystone correction

[2] Edge blending

Edge blending function realizes image tiling using a few projector product tiling by signal processing at the screen edges to lower the brightness. It is also possible to adjust white balance, screen edge offset for luminance unevenness correction, and black luminance offset for area where there will be no tiling.

[2] Edge blending

[3] Geometric correction

The geometric correction function can correct images without distortion even if the projection screen is curved. Combined with the edge blending function, the projector can be installed more freely.

[3] Geometric correction

[4] Six axis color adjustment

Six color adjustment is the function that allows independent adjustment of hue, saturation, and brightness for each of the six color axes (RGBMYC) with the input image signal.

• Adjust the hue, saturation and brightness with each axis
• Adjust hue in the range from -22.5° to +22.1484375° for each color
• Adjust saturation in the range from -1.0x to 0.984375x, based on 1.0x each color.
• Adjust brightness in the range from -12.5% to 12.109375% for each color
• Adjustable range gain within adjacent color axes
• Each color hue, saturation and brightness can be set for different brightness levels with up to seven levels for each
• Achromatic color brightness adjustment function
• Pattern display function

[4] Six axis color adjustment

Related Products & Solutions

About trademarks

*SXRD and SXRD are trademarks of Sony Group Corporation.

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