Next-generation DMD-Headlight Module of Maximized Optical Efficiency and Ultra-compact System Packag

Next-generation DMD-Headlight Module of Maximized Optical Efficiency and Ultra-compact System Packaging

Gerald Uhlenberg ¹*, Alex Wang ¹, Huang-Ping Chiu ¹, Murphy Kao ¹

¹ TQ Technology, Taiwan/Germany

*Contact email address: gerald.uhlenberg@tqtechnology.de

Abstract—Digital micromirror device (DMD)-based headlights have been in discussion for some years now as a key new technology enabling high resolution forward lighting applications, for improving comfort and safety for the driver and creating new lighting functions as symbol projection on the road.

In this paper, we are presenting a production-ready next-generation headlight module based on the DMD micro-mirror device as the central imager element for high resolution lighting distributions. The paper provides an overview of the design details, showing how both optical efficiency and system packaging design have been optimized to achieve best-in-class values. The overall optical module size is just 85 x 60 x 60 mm3, with an optical performance of nearly 1100lm luminous flux at a maximum of 90 lx and a field of view of 16° x 8°. The central high-resolution zone is supported by a standard LED matrix module to complete the basic lighting functions.

Overall, with reduced system complexity to obtain a cost-driven and fully-tested DMD headlight module, this compact product is now ready for series production, enabling and supporting a further market penetration of the uniquely suited DMD technology into next generation headlights.

Keywords: high-resolution headlight, DMD technology, light projection