In the past several years Kopin has demonstrated the ability to provide ultra-high brightness, low power display solutions
in VGA, SVGA, SXGA and 2k x 2k display formats. This paper will review various approaches for integrating high
brightness overlay displays with existing direct view rifle sights and augmenting their precision aiming and targeting
capability. Examples of overlay display systems solutions will be presented and discussed. This paper will review
significant capability enhancements that are possible when augmenting the real-world as seen through a rifle sight with
other soldier system equipment including laser range finders, ballistic computers and sensor systems.
The integration of overlay displays into rifle scopes can transform precision Direct View Optical (DVO) sights into
intelligent interactive fire-control systems. Overlay displays can provide ballistic solutions within the sight for
dramatically improved targeting, can fuse sensor video to extend targeting into nighttime or dirty battlefield conditions,
and can overlay complex situational awareness information over the real-world scene. High brightness overlay
solutions for dismounted soldier applications have previously been hindered by excessive power consumption, weight
and bulk making them unsuitable for man-portable, battery powered applications. This paper describes the
advancements and capabilities of a high brightness, ultra-low power text and graphics overlay display module developed
specifically for integration into DVO weapon sight applications. Central to the overlay display module was the
development of a new general purpose low power graphics controller and dual-path display driver electronics. The
graphics controller interface is a simple 2-wire RS-232 serial interface compatible with existing weapon systems such as
the IBEAM ballistic computer and the RULR and STORM laser rangefinders (LRF). The module features include
multiple graphics layers, user configurable fonts and icons, and parameterized vector rendering, making it suitable for
general purpose DVO overlay applications. The module is configured for graphics-only operation for daytime use and
overlays graphics with video for nighttime applications. The miniature footprint and ultra-low power consumption of the
module enables a new generation of intelligent DVO systems and has been implemented for resolutions from VGA to
SXGA, in monochrome and color, and in graphics applications with and without sensor video.
Kopin’s recently introduced low-power “Jewel Module” family of plug-and-play integrated AMLCD microdisplay
modules are fully-tested, off-the-shelf assemblies that can be easily integrated into customer products without the need
for an expensive application-specific development. The “Jewel Module” is the culmination of many years of technology
advancement that has reduced the size and power for all of the elements of the display system: microdisplay, LED
backlight, display driver ASIC, video FPGA, heater and display controller. This paper presents the performance
characteristics of both current and planned modules with display resolutions from 640x480 to 1280x1024 as well as
development roadmap. Applications of the “Ruby Module” with SVGA microdisplay are described with examples of its
integration into display system products.
Today's modeling software for infrared and fused systems ignores display performance characteristics and their impact
on overall system performance. Although the implications of sensor performance and image processing with respect to
system performance are well understood, the impacts of display image quality and their effects on man portable system
performance are neglected in system level analysis software such as NVTherm. In addition, production test
methodologies for fielded thermal systems often utilize a composite video output signal to characterize thermal camera
performance but fail to characterize the impacts of display performance at room temperature and over the complete
operating temperature range.
This paper characterizes several key display parameters of active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD) and organic
light emitting diode (OLED) microdisplays that are in volume production for night vision application, and examine their
effects on the performance of infrared and fused imaging systems. We present test data of contrast, gray scale rendition
and fixed-pattern noise of these displays over ranges of luminance and temperature, evaluating the impacts on system
level Minimum Resolvable Temperature (MRT). We conclude that the performance of thermal and fused systems can
be significantly degraded based upon the display technology implemented and the system impacts of display
performance can no longer be ignored by the community at large. The data indicates that modeling software such as
NVTherm should be upgraded to include display performance parameters and their impacts on overall system level
performance.
We report on the next generation of transmissive liquid crystal
micro-display technology based on single-crystal Si
backplane. The demand for ultra-high resolutions in combination with optimization of size, weight, and power are
driving Kopin AMLCD to resolutions as high as 2k x 2k. Several key developments are driving the aggressive
development of higher density, lower power AMLCD displays. We will review display performance improvements
resulting from a transition to 8" Si wafer processing, including smaller design rules and multi-level metal processing. In
addition, we will describe new technologies enabling ultra-low power consumption, wide operating temperature range,
and "Instant-On" display performance at temperatures as low as
-40° C. We will discuss how these technologies are
combined in advanced micro-displays, which are enabling the next generation of ruggedized imaging applications.
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