A number of companies are exploring what microdisplay technology has to offer in various different applications. OmniVision Technologies have a history of working on technology for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) and have announced its own LCOS microdisplay.

OmniVision have revealed the OP02220, which the company describes as the industry’s first liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) microdisplay with integrated driver functions and memory.

The device is said to be compact, low power and cost effective, which could be useful for applications including AR and VR headsets that need to be durable and lightweight.

“A single-chip LCOS architecture is not only perfect for compact and lightweight systems, but it is also capable of reducing heat and extending battery life through lower power consumption, which are all key requirements for the next generation of AR glasses,” said Sam Yoshikawa, product marketing manager at OmniVision. “These AR glasses and other head-mounted devices need to incorporate many components, including an optical engine and light source. By integrating the driver function into the microdisplay, our OP02220 saves board space and streamlines the development process, allowing designers to accelerate the time-to-market and create lighter, more comfortable products for their customers.”

The OP02220 has a pixel resolution of 1920 x 1080 and is built using a 4.5 micron pixel technology, which allows the display to have a 0.39-inch diagonal display size. The integrated driver means that power consumption is lower than two-chip solutions, which has the additional effect of prolonging battery life.

OmniVision will be providing certain customers with an evaluation kit that includes a reference board with video data output connections to the LCOS microdisplay panel. This reference board can also be used with other optical test engines.

The evaluation kit for the OP02220 LCOS microdisplay is available now, and interested parties can contact OmniVision through the official website.

For future coverage on developments in VR and AR technology, keep checking back with VRFocus.