Compound Photonics
Architecting High-Quality Micro-Displays for AR

While the industry is looking for a new innovation after smartphone, many experts agree that AR/MR will lead the next revolution. At the forefront of these innovations is Compound Photonics (CP), a next-gen AR technology solution provider, instituted with a vision to redefine the art of seeing. Architecting a path for a more optimized visual experience, CP designs, engineers, and manufactures micro-displays for AR, MR, VR, HUD, and embedded projection applications. In fact, CP recently made headlines by developing the world’s smallest native 4K imaging device, measuring only 14 millimeters (0.55 inch) diagonally.

CP’s suite of products extends through three touchpoints. First, the company designs highly efficient optical display devices based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) technology offered in multiple resolutions currently scalable from 1080p HD to 4K Ultra-HD. These next-generation display devices can be configured to operate in either a polarization mode or a real holographic mode that provides a full 3D light-field while simplifying optical system. The second element is a re-invented display drive tuned for the high demands of AR & HUD applications. The third element is a module that integrates all the components providing a compact form factor.

The uniqueness of CP’s sharp display clarity lies in its ability to use very small pixels, in the order of three microns. Stephen Woo, executive chairman and CEO of Compound Photonics, says, “Smaller pixel allows higher resolution resulting in higher quality of display. CP is riding the wave of AR/MR revolution with world’s most advanced micro-display solution.”

Another major breakthrough for CP has been re-architecting the video processing pipeline to support real-time demands of AR systems. Edmund Passon, VP of product development at CP, says, “We have identified three essential attributes required to engineer high-quality AR systems: low latency, higher frame rates, and shorter persistence.” CP has integrated all these attributes into their AR driver. This new architecture has already generated massive interest among automotive HUD, smart glasses, and other smart wearables manufacturing companies for its higher performance.

We are riding the wave of AR/MR revolution with world’s most advanced micro-display solution

While illustrating the industry bottlenecks, Richard Jackson, VP of operations at CP, brings to attention how their company has been effectively remediating the challenges of efficient manufacturing. “Marrying advanced hardware and software designs onto industry-leading technology platforms and suppliers, we deliver the most advantageous return to our customers” asserts Jackson.

CP’s diverse leadership team with deep expertise in silicon and semiconductor technologies is the “secret sauce” behind the company’s innovative outlook, according to Woo. “Technology does not stand still, and thus our constant effort has been to ensure that we deliver the right product of the right quality to the right customer at the right time,” he adds. Riding the path of innovation, the company intends to invest further to combine their extensive domain knowledge and technology disciplines to create more breakthrough micro-display offerings and make a significant impact in the AR market.