SBIR/STTR Award attributes
This project will demonstrate an innovative augmented reality (AR) viewing system from OLEDWorks (OW) and a domestic US optics company by combining the improved WUXGA Microdisplay (MD) made using a 3-stack full-color OLED display with a high-efficiency prism-based optical system in both binocular and monocular systems. At the heart of this AR system will be a very high luminance MD developed by OW with good contrast and color gamut appropriate for military applications that will be produced using an innovative multi-stack white OLED architecture. These high brightness MD’s will be produced on OW’s proprietary equipment and processes. The low power and wide horizontal field of view (FOV) requirement will be met using the high optical efficiency of the prism optics developed by our partner and currently used in both commercial and DoD applications. Integrated lower-power driving electronics and mounting/support hardware will be included for both systems. For night-mode viewing, the unique combination of innovative pixel-driving circuits in the backplane controlled by custom driving hardware and software will enable a large turndown (or dimming) ratio while maintaining good image quality. This combination of technology has not been previously demonstrated outside of our Phase I and will require improvements to several technology areas to successfully meet the project and war fighter requirements. Crosstalk (which has an increase in propensity on a per stack basis) will require improvment to support practical color purity and gamut solutions necessary for military applications. The integrated devices that will be built for this project will include a Global Shutter function, which together with an external shutter supports implementation of light security for night combat operations.
