DLP Pico qHD Display Reference Design

With support for interactive, reconfigurable interfaces and immersive visual experiences, this design offers an ideal platform for next-generation electronics requiring flexible, high-brightness display integration.

This reference design TIDA-080002 by Texas Instruments (TI) incorporates the 0.23 qHD DLP chipset, an affordable and efficient platform that brings Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology into systems utilizing embedded host processors. The chipset supports the development of compact, low-power, on-demand free-form display subsystems suitable for a wide range of applications. By enabling qHD resolution, this design facilitates flexible display integration into next-generation smart electronics. Additionally, the design includes the 0.3-inch TRP HD 720p display chipset, which is ideal for applications requiring high-definition visuals, small form factor, and low power consumption. Leveraging the DLPA3000 power management IC and integrated LED driver, developers can implement HD display subsystems that deliver increased brightness while maintaining efficiency.

The reference design aligns with the evolving needs of the smart home ecosystem, a rapidly expanding category that introduces automation and interconnectivity to devices like lighting systems, thermostats, appliances, and entertainment platforms. DLP Pico technology enhances the potential of smart home displays by enabling interactive, adaptable, and reconfigurable user interfaces. These smart displays can effectively replace traditional control elements such as physical buttons, LCD panels, tablets, and mechanical knobs in multiple rooms throughout a home. DLP-based smart displays offer advantages including superior brightness, compact size, low power consumption, improved throw ratio, and enhanced interactivity, making them an excellent fit for modern living environments.

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Furthermore, the design supports wearable display applications, encompassing devices like headsets, helmets, and smart glasses. These near-eye or head-mounted displays provide immersive visual experiences, either in augmented reality (AR) through see-through displays or in virtual reality (VR) via opaque displays. The compact and efficient DLP display technology is well-suited for these products, delivering clear imagery while maintaining minimal size and power draw.

This design features a DLP230GP-based display subsystem with qHD resolution and a compact printed circuit board layout. The board supports connectivity through HDMI and USB interfaces, and it is designed to accept a 19V input while driving LED current up to 6A. The intended applications span a range of personal and industrial electronics, including smartphones, tablets, battery-powered mobile accessories, wearable displays, smart speakers, and home appliances.

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For proper functionality, this design requires an optical engine that incorporates a DLP230GP digital micromirror device (DMD) and compatible LEDs. It is essential to ensure that the optical engine’s flex cable matches the J1 flex cable connector on the PCB, as the hardware cannot operate without this connection. This integration enables rapid prototyping and development of innovative display solutions across diverse product categories.

TI has tested this reference design. It comes with a bill of materials (BOM), schematics, assembly drawing, printed circuit board (PCB) layout, and more. The company’s website has additional data about the reference design. To read more about this reference design, click here.