Living in this real world, we are all cocooned under technology. From television screens to smartwatches, all we seek is a display quality with high and ultra-high resolutions. The microdisplay technology has proliferated the advancements in such gadgets. Microdisplay, with its user-configurable technology, high resolution, and high pixel density, has unconventionally benefitted rear-projection TVs, digital cameras, smart bands, smartwatches, smart glasses, and other such gadgets and technologies. One of the key factors that microdisplay offers is super-extended graphics array resolution for enhanced brightness, and improved angle viewing. Furthermore, projection and near-to-eye displays (NEDs) are the two major categories of microdisplays. Where on one hand, the projection has advanced TVs and compact data projections, on the other hand, NEDs with its highly magnified virtual image observing via HMDs and HUDs have benefited several industries, especially military and medical.

The large pixel capacity, high resolution and increased clarity and better power-efficiency offered by microdisplay have made it most adaptable. On the other hand, the latest advancements have aided with the progress of high-definition and ultra-high-definition microdisplays for improved viewing experience. Moreover, its cumulative features and advancements have bloomed the global market of the microdisplay. According to a report published by Allied Market Research, the  global microdisplay market is expected to garner $3 billion by 2022. Some of the major trends driving its growth are high resolution, excellent picture quality, low power consumption, and compact size of the microdisplay. Moreover, the rise in the use of NEDs and its further enhancements are creating lucrative opportunities for the developers.

Recent Happenings in the Industry: 

New solutions and products with enhanced capabilities and progressive features are on their way to advance the technology. Companies are working together to form the smallest microdisplay solutions. Compound Photonics, a leading provider of microdisplay solutions for Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) applications partnered with a technology development firm Plessey Semiconductors LTD. The partnership aims to develop and launch one of the smallest microdisplay solutions with GaN-on-Silicon microLED and 1080 pixels. The solution intends to be integrated with AR and MR smart glasses. Furthermore, the partnership will lead Plessey to bond its GaN-on-Silicon monolithic microLED array wafer with high speed digital low-latency backplane silicon wafer of Compound Photonics. On the other hand, Compound Photonics, with its experience in microdisplay assembly, test, and packaging, and NOVA high-performance display driver architecture, will create display modules from bonded wafers to provide a complete solution, suitable with industry-standard MIPI display pipeline.

The President of Plessey semiconductors, Mike Lee, specified that Compound Photonics is the best partner for their company due to its wide experience in developing fully realized microdisplay-based projection solutions. He further added that Compound Photonic’s high-performance end to end digital architecture and edge display driver IP will be major enablers. These enablers will provide microLED displays with better brightness at small pixels, better frame rates, improved greyscale bit depth, and low energy utilization. The new launch will provide AR/MR smart glasses and Heads-Up displays (HUDs)/Head-mounted displays (HMDs).

Earlier this year, a company in Korea launched its microdisplay panel for applications including AR devices, HMDs, HUDs, and mini projectors. RAONTECH Inc., a Korea-based leading microdisplay solution provider, introduced a new microdisplay panel of 0.31”1080P LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon). Furthermore, the tiny low-power panel RDP370F consists of two million mirror pixels on a 0.37” diagonal display. On the other hand, the panel has a 6,000 pixels per inch density and its small 4.3 µm pixel pitch makes it a perfect match for wave-guide optics used for thinner and lighter AR glasses. The RDP370F provides continuous phase and amplitude modulation with the best image quality. Furthermore, the panel has LED driver circuits with 100 mW power consumption that expands battery life for longer utilization.

The CEO of the company, Brian Kim explained that with the new light-weighted panel they have stepped forward towards a future where AR devices will be similar to eyeglasses. The people are not happy with lens artifacts as well, however, the company has rectified it with their controller chipset solution with electronic lens-correction features.

Microdisplay has brought a completely different dimension for various applications. The researchers are yet behind the increasing resolution and lowering power consumption. On the other hand, the valuable inventions and launches of microdisplay by companies are improving their direction towards growth. Furthermore, the increasing trend of TVs, smartwatches, AR devices, and digital cameras have fueled the microdisplay market as well. Moreover, several advancements are coming on their way for further developments and growth of the market as well as better viewing experiences.

Akshita Pacholi works as a content writer for Allied Market Research.