Texas Instruments DLP Technology Expands into New Sectors

New Delhi, India,November 13, 2013: 3D printing, machine vision, automotive infotainment, spectroscopy and other applications being enhanced by DLP technology

Texas Instruments (TI) today announced the expansion of its acclaimed DLP technology to new sectors such as industrial, automotive and medical. Invented by Texas Instruments, DLP technology is based on an optical semiconductor called the DLP chip (

www.ti.com/dlp

). DLP continues to experience notable growth and adoption in India across its more traditional application such as projection for cinemas, office and classroom settings.

“DLP is the most flexible display technology and possibly the most flexible semiconductor in the world with potential to enable new applications in industrial, automotive and medical sectors,” said

Kent Novak, Senior Vice President & General Manager, DLP Products, Texas Instruments Inc.

“With DLP, we want to spark innovation across India through solutions that will provide real impact in these sectors.”

Kent further added, “In India, DLP currently powers nearly 99 percent of the 7000 digital cinema screens across the country. DLP is also poised to deliver instant, big screen experiences to mobile phones. It currently holds approximately 60 percent market share in front projectors that are widely deployed in classrooms and office conference rooms. We see potential for these new application areas in the Indian market.”

A series of development toolkits grant direct access to the DLP chip for new innovation possibilities and light steering applications beyond traditional projection.

Industrial

The scalability of DLP technology results in chipsets that can utilize the unique micro-mirror array for a variety of products that can be beneficial to the manufacturing industry in India. The imaging speed of DLP chipsets, when combined with digital cameras, allows for portable, very accurate 3D scanning systems.

Images captured by such scanners, or created via 3D modeling software, can then be transferred to compact 3D printers that pair high resolution DLP chipsets with UV lighting and special resins to produce detailed printouts, such as dental moulds, hearing aids and jewellery prototypes.

The Indian Manufacturing industry is poised for significant growth as the economy expands. DLP enables affordable Machine Vision products. Currently India uses 3% of the global Co-ordinate Measuring Machines (CMM). This is expected to grow with more manufacturing expansion.

Automotive

TI’s latest solutions for the future of in-car infotainment with augmented reality (AR) head-up display (HUD), digital dashboards and center console systems are enabled by DLP technology. These next generation systems from TI will mark DLP’s first official entry into the automotive industry. They represent a notable shift forward with regard to higher resolution and brightness, expanded field of view, tactile feedback, distraction-reduced functionality and interior design flexibility that breaks the design barriers of existing technologies.

With DLP technology, TI has been able to develop a compact HUD system with higher brightness and clarity amid driving conditions, a much wider field of view and increased color reproduction over other display types. Software based augmented reality elements such as navigational indicators, real-time landmark details and safety warnings can be shown in relation to real world objects in order to keep the driver focused on the road ahead.

For console and dashboard displays, the speed and accuracy of DLP technology, combined with infra-red cameras and other TI components, allow for multipoint, touch screen interactivity across the entire surface of the console and scalability to any size and shape.

With more than 2 million cars sold in India, and many Indian customers demanding globally available features, the HUD market will make inroads into the mid- to high-end car segment.

www.ti.com/lsds/ti/analog/dlp/dlp-automotive.page

Medical

DLP-enabled hyperspectral imaging method opens up a wide range of possibilities in spectroscopy. It can illuminate a patient’s tissue and collect information that is reflected back. The DLP hyperspectral imaging system does not require physical contact with the patient to gather information.

As a result, the platform-like imaging technology can provide real-time mapping and visualization data to assist surgeons with performing difficult procedures. DLP technology helps surgeons to identify the anatomical structures based on their chemical composition.

Hyperspectral imaging technology is suited for a multitude of medical applications including tissue oxygenation monitoring, non-invasive optical biopsies, diabetic retinopathy, retinal imaging, post-operative care and personalized medicine.

Also, applications including hearing aids, dental implants and prosthetic limbs, can leverage DLP’s 3D measurement solution. — (Business Wire India) —