MEMS Cell Phone Projector

Thursday, November 02, 2006

According to a Cornell University research in the not so distant future we will be able to use a cell phone as a projector for High Definition TV. This is made possible by the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology, the so called technology of the very small.

Researchers at the Cornell University have developed a MEMS system that is able to rapidly scan wide areas with a laser. The system is based on the use of a mirror, suspended by carbon fibers, that deflects the laser on the desired surface.

The fast movement is made possible by the use of the carbon fibers that are flexible but stiff enough to allow high speed vibrations. The researchers talk about vibration frequencies of 35,000 cycles per second that should scan, about 60 times a second, an image with a 1280 by 768 pixels resolution. In the test this refresh rate gave rise, in particular conditions, to a flickering problem though.

The research states that a dime sized projector that follows the system guidelines should be able to cast a meter-wide image on a surface that is distant only half a meter away.

Using complex electronics that control the laser status it could be then possible to create dark and light pixels. Finally mixing three lasers for Red, Green end Blue we would be able to have a full-color display.

If these are the premises I bet in the future we will talk a lot about what MEMS can do for the entertaining market and how can expand it. As they say stay tuned...