Diamond Pixel Layout With Offset Memory for Higher Pixel Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spatial light modulator devices face challenges in increasing pixel density without compromising performance and reliability, particularly due to constraints in reducing pixel pitch and surface area requirements for control circuitry.
Innovation Solution
The use of an array of pixels in a diamond pattern over an array of memory cells in an offset grid pattern, combined with shared circuitry and strategic positioning of space-filling patterns, allows for increased pixel density and minimized stray reflections, while maintaining optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pixel pitch is reduced to increase pixel density, then pixel density is improved, but manufacturing precision and alignment difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric offset patterns where pixels are deliberately positioned at non-uniform offsets relative to their corresponding memory cells. This asymmetric arrangement allows the pixel array to be decoupled from the memory cell grid, enabling higher pixel density without requiring proportional increases in alignment precision. The offset pattern breaks the direct one-to-one correspondence between memory cells and pixels, allowing independent optimization of each layer's pitch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional transformation by arranging pixels in a diamond pattern (rotated 45 degrees) relative to the orthogonal memory cell grid. This dimensional change allows the pixel array to pack more densely in certain directions while maintaining manufacturable alignment tolerances in the orthogonal directions. The diamond pattern effectively transforms the alignment problem from a two-dimensional grid constraint to a rotated coordinate system with different tolerance requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If surface area is reduced to increase pixel density, then pixel density is improved, but optical performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by ensuring that each pixel maintains sufficient local surface area for optical performance while the overall array achieves high density through the offset diamond pattern. The offset arrangement allows each pixel to be positioned optimally over its corresponding memory cell, ensuring adequate light collection area and optical path quality for each individual pixel even as the overall density increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pixel array into multiple independent offset patterns that can be independently optimized. By dividing the high-density array into repeating offset units, each unit can maintain optimal optical characteristics while the overall structure achieves high density. This segmentation allows different regions or groups of pixels to have optimized surface areas without compromising the global density metric.
3Quantity of substance
If control circuitry area is reduced to increase pixel density, then pixel density is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the offset diamond pattern to be applicable across the entire pixel array, allowing the same memory cell grid to serve multiple pixels through the offset arrangement. This multi-functional approach enables a single memory cell structure to support multiple pixel positions, reducing the total control circuitry area required while maintaining the ability to independently control each pixel through the established offset addressing scheme.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, an apparatus includes a substrate, an array of memory cells on the substrate, and an array of pixels over the array of memory cells. The array of memory cells is in a grid pattern. The array of pixels is in a diamond pattern that is oriented at an angle relative to the grid pattern of the array of memory cells. Each pixel of the array of pixels overlaps respective portions of at least two memory cells of the array of memory cells. Each pixel of the array of pixels is electrically connected to an output of a respective memory cell of the array of memory cells.