Two Trees Photonics - Developing a real time full colour head up display (HUD) using highly efficient phase only holographic display technology
Lead Participant:
TWO TREES PHOTONICS LTD
Abstract
Head up displays (HUDs) in cars and other vehicles are becoming increasingly common and
have been shown to significantly reduce accident rates by keeping the drivers eyes on the
roads. Conventional automotive HUD projection systems are LCDs illuminated with white or
colour LEDs. These systems are limited in brightness, contrast, power usage, size and colour
variation. These systems are particularly ineffiecient in their usage of light, 1-2% optically
efficient. The next generation requirements for automotive HUDs are very demanding
especially in terms of brightness, dimming range, supplied power and size. Holographic
HUDs provide a variety of advantages in each of these areas. Two Trees Photonics have
demonstrated a very high quality HUD using its highly innovative and patented phase only
holography with a truly analogue phase modulator. This approach is very efficient creating
HUD images with a brightness of 26,000Cd/m2 from low power silicon chip lasers but is
currently limited to images that can be created using 2 colours (red and Green) and is only
able to store a limited number of pre-computed holograms. To provide a step change in HUD
display capability and meet the requirements of the automotive OEMs the project aims to
move the technology to a full colour real time holographic display engine creating highly
efficient phase only holographic laser HUD. Two Trees Photonics has significant world
leading technical capability with holographic display and optical systems. The project will
develop the components including the RGB laser light engine, the high speed driver engine
for phase modulation, the development of the real time computation engine and the phase
modulator driving engine to provide a full working prototype of the HUD system. The project
is intially focused on automotive but provides opportunities in aerospace, medical, rail,
marine, near eye devies and augmented reality.
have been shown to significantly reduce accident rates by keeping the drivers eyes on the
roads. Conventional automotive HUD projection systems are LCDs illuminated with white or
colour LEDs. These systems are limited in brightness, contrast, power usage, size and colour
variation. These systems are particularly ineffiecient in their usage of light, 1-2% optically
efficient. The next generation requirements for automotive HUDs are very demanding
especially in terms of brightness, dimming range, supplied power and size. Holographic
HUDs provide a variety of advantages in each of these areas. Two Trees Photonics have
demonstrated a very high quality HUD using its highly innovative and patented phase only
holography with a truly analogue phase modulator. This approach is very efficient creating
HUD images with a brightness of 26,000Cd/m2 from low power silicon chip lasers but is
currently limited to images that can be created using 2 colours (red and Green) and is only
able to store a limited number of pre-computed holograms. To provide a step change in HUD
display capability and meet the requirements of the automotive OEMs the project aims to
move the technology to a full colour real time holographic display engine creating highly
efficient phase only holographic laser HUD. Two Trees Photonics has significant world
leading technical capability with holographic display and optical systems. The project will
develop the components including the RGB laser light engine, the high speed driver engine
for phase modulation, the development of the real time computation engine and the phase
modulator driving engine to provide a full working prototype of the HUD system. The project
is intially focused on automotive but provides opportunities in aerospace, medical, rail,
marine, near eye devies and augmented reality.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| TWO TREES PHOTONICS LTD | £368,401 | £ 165,780 |
Participant |
||
| THE TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY BOARD |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Peter Woodland (Project Manager) |