Maxim RGB laser driver uses BiCMOS process

Fabricated using Maxim's newest BiCMOS process, this device achieves very fast switching times of less than 2ns to support high-resolution images up to 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) and WXGA (1400 x 768 pixels).

It eliminates the need for three discrete laser drivers, enabling system designers to embed pico projectors into a new class of consumer electronics.

Targeted applications include smartphones, portable media players, mobile-computing devices, digital cameras/camcorders, accessory projectors and digital picture frames.

Laser-based pico projectors offer performance advantages over DLP and LCoS architectures.

Laser projectors consume the least amount of power (less than 1W for an embedded-projector module) for the largest displays (100in wide), while taking up the least amount of board space.

Laser-based architectures are capable of achieving resolutions up to WXGA or 1080p with the MAX3600.

Laser-based architectures are more scalable than DLP and LCoS and only require a single- or dual-MEMS mirror, regardless of resolution.

This means that designs can be scaled, in terms of software and hardware, to higher resolutions without changing the imager.

Laser-based pico projectors are always in focus so images are always crisp.

The MAX3600 integrates three discrete laser drivers into a single 5 x 5mm chip.

This integrated solution consumes 75 per cent less real estate and 30 per cent less power than discrete designs, making it well suited for compact, battery-operated devices.

This device integrates all of the functionality needed to simply interface a digital 10-bit RGB video source to virtually all industry-standard, low-power RGB laser diodes.

The MAX3600 is equipped with three 10-bit RGB DACs, which read video data from the host device's 10-bit RGB bus.

These DACs allow system designers to precisely control laser current while generating billions of colours and contrast ratios of 5000:1 and higher.

Gain and offset functions along with serial ports and registers make real-world, production image adjustments quick and digitally simple.

Packaged in a 5 x 5mm, 40-pin TQFN, the MAX3600 is fully specified over the 0 to 70C commercial temperature range.