Spatial Light Modulator Memory Allocation via Bit Serial Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital backplane technologies require significant bandwidth and memory to control light modulating elements, particularly in digital LCoS devices, due to the need for multi-bit wide comparisons and extensive data fetching, which is inefficient and costly for large arrays of electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The use of recursive feedback to control pulse widths in light modulating elements, reducing the need for multi-bit comparisons and data fetching by utilizing bit serial processing and implicit feedback mechanisms, allowing for fewer bits to be accessed and stored, thereby minimizing bandwidth and memory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multi-bit wide comparisons are used to control light modulating elements, then control precision is improved, but bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-bit comparison operation into multiple single-bit comparison stages. Instead of comparing all N bits simultaneously, the system performs sequential single-bit comparisons, where each bit is processed independently in time-multiplexed fashion. This segmentation reduces the instantaneous bandwidth requirement from N-bits to 1-bit while maintaining the overall control precision through the cumulative effect of all comparison stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by cycling through different bit positions in a systematic sequence. The comparison operation is performed periodically for each bit position, with the system oscillating between different bit planes. This periodic traversal of bit positions allows the same physical bandwidth to be reused across multiple time periods, effectively reducing the peak bandwidth requirement while achieving complete N-bit control precision over the full comparison cycle.
2Loss of information
If N-bits of memory storage are used on the display device, then data availability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage function with the processing function by implementing memory operations directly within the display device's processing elements. Instead of separating memory storage from computational logic, the system combines them so that data is stored and processed in the same location. This integration reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate, large-capacity memory blocks while ensuring data availability through local storage within the processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary registers and buffers that serve as mediators between the input data path and the display elements. These intermediary structures hold data temporarily during processing without requiring full N-bit storage capacity across the entire display device. The mediators enable data to be available when needed for processing while reducing the total memory footprint by allowing data to flow through compact buffer structures rather than requiring permanent large-capacity storage.
3Measurement precision
If 2N comparisons are performed to control PWM waveform, then pulse width accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-computing and storing comparison results for each bit position before the actual PWM waveform generation. The system prepares the comparison data in advance, organizing it in a format that enables rapid retrieval during the pulse width modulation process. This preliminary preparation reduces the real-time processing burden, allowing the 2N comparisons to be executed more efficiently by reusing pre-computed values rather than performing all comparisons during the critical PWM generation window.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by designing the comparison logic to automatically generate and update comparison results without requiring external intervention for each bit position. The system's own processing elements perform the comparisons and store results in self-updating registers, eliminating the need for external control logic to manage each comparison operation. This self-service mechanism reduces the overall processing time by parallelizing the comparison operations across multiple processing elements that independently update their own comparison results.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a various methods, systems and devices for controlling light modulating elements and/or spatial light modulators. In some embodiments of the present invention, a recursive feedback method is used to control light modulating elements and/or spatial light modulators.