Which IC chips for projectors should you be familiar with?

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Projectors are widely used for learning and entertainment applications. They tend to give views immersive viewing experiences through their display units. Have you ever wondered how projects can display such vibrant images to the extent that they are used in public setups?

There are many theories behind the working of projectors. At the center of it all are the integrated circuits. Many electronic components work together to deliver the projection that is needed.

A projector, regardless of the type comprises different devices. They are connected using different interfaces to deliver the desired visual experience.

In this article, we are going explore all the essential integrated circuits that are used in projectors. We will discuss all the chips that are involved and the exact roles that they play in the functioning of a projector.

A brief overview of the projector technology

 To understand the use of  IC chips in projects, let’s have a brief overview of projector technology. By knowing how these systems work, it will be easier to have a good understanding of the specific roles of ICs in this technology.

Light source

Different types of light sources are used in digital projectors. These are  DLP and LCD light sources.  Both light sources generate a bright and powerful beam of light that will pass through a series of filtering devices before eventually creating images that are illuminated.

The intensity of light varies from one type of light source to another. Some sources are more powerful than others. Like many other sources, light brightness is measured in lumens, which are directly proportional to the visibility of images being projected.

Imaging system

Now that you have the light source, the next area of focus is the imaging system. Its main function is to control or modulate the image that has been generated by the light source.

Imaging systems have tiny semiconductor chips that use either microscopic mirrors (DLP) or liquid crystal shutters (LCDs)  to modulate or control each beam of light pixel by pixel.

Lens and focus

At this point, the beam of light has passed through the imaging system where it has been filtered and manipulated. The next stage is the lens and focus.

The lens is designed to collect the beams straight from the imaging system. They dictate the output of the beam from the imaging system.  Usually, they will make the beam spread outside.

The focus subsystem allows a user to focus the output of the image size depending on the distance between the projector and the target display unit. Also, the point of focus has a direct impact on the quality of the display that you will get.

Color wheel

How are projectors able to display objects of different colors? This is where the importance of the color wheel comes in. A color wheel of a projector transforms the white light from the source into an array of vibrant color projections.

The color wheel filters the white light into three RGB (red, green, and blue) colors. The wheel synchronizes with the imaging system to display the different colors.

All these different components of a projector work together to achieve the desired projection. With the advancement of technology, you may find other extra components, most of which are managed and controlled by integrated circuits.

ICs used in projectors

Let’s review some of the most common types of integrated circuits that are used in projectors.

· Microcontroller/microprocessor: This is the brain of any projector system. It is responsible for processing data and signals. It also handles all the logical processes in a projector. Different microprocessors have different processing powers.

· Memory chips: Projectors rely on memory chips for all the operations that entail data storage and management. The most common chips that are used are Flash memory and DRAM. The chips ensure that data is safely stored and also is quickly availed when needed.

· Graphics IC: Different types of graphic chips are used in projectors. Image processors and video processors are among the most common chips that are designed for handling graphics in projectors.

· Power management ICs: Like most electronic devices and appliances, projectors have power management ICs. These are responsible for performing everything that entails managing power. One of the functions is to connect power to the external source. Power ICs are also used for the distribution of power in the projector. They ensure that each component or subsystem gets the right current and voltage. What about protection? Well, this is also another critical function of power IC. They protect vital components from the dangers of overcurrent and overvoltage.

· LED IC: For the projectors that rely on integrated LEDs as their main sources of light, they need LED driver ICs. These chips regulate and control the beams of LED lights that are needed for creating projections.

· LCD  driver IC: This type of chip is commonly found in LCD projectors. It is also used for modulating light beams that are generated by the liquid crystal display panel.

· Interface IC: These are chips that are used for completing connections with other devices in a projector system.

· Optical sensor IC: These chips are used for sensing light signals for the projector system. They record all the vital details about the light signals.

Conclusion

Integrated circuits play different roles in the functioning of projectors. Whether it is power management or display management, you will need a piece of semiconductor chip.

If you are building a projector from scratch, you have a full idea of the semiconductor chips that you will need. It all starts with identifying specific features and functionalities on the projector. From there, you can proceed to choose the exact ICs that will be used for the implementation of the function.

The performance of your projector will depend on the quality of the IC chips that you choose. Premium quality will deliver the best results. This is why you need to carefully select the source of your integrated circuits.

At ICRFQ we are fully committed to helping our customers find the right semiconductor ICs for their projectors. Talk to us directly and our sales representatives will be there to help you find the exact semiconductor chips that you need.