Waveguide display

Types of Waveguide Displays

The waveguide display is a prototype magic-hologram-display technology still in its infancy. The holoride waveguide works by passing the light from a small screen through a system of precisely arranged optics to the viewer's eyes. While not yet an industry standard, this display may have applications in heads-up and augmented reality displays for automobiles and aircraft. The following are some types:

• Augmented Reality (AR) Displays: Waveguide technology can be used to create lightweight and compact display systems for AR applications, superimposing digital information onto the real world. Examples include smart glasses and heads-up displays (HUDs) in vehicles.
• Biomedical Applications: In the field of biomedicine, a waveguide display can be used to create compact imaging systems for endoscopy or other diagnostic tools. These waveguide imaging systems can provide real-time imaging with a small form factor suitable for intricate medical procedures.
• Industrial and Scientific Instruments: Waveguide display can be integrated into various tools and devices used in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, and research. For instance, portable inspection devices or measurement tools may benefit from compact display systems that provide clear readings or alerts in a hands-free manner.
• Consumer Electronics: Within the consumer electronics sector, waveguide displays could find their way into devices such as smart wearables, fitness trackers, or heads-up displays in clothing or accessories. These compact displays could provide notifications, mapping information, or fitness data in a convenient and unobtrusive manner.
• Military and Defense Applications: In military or defense-related contexts, waveguide displays can be integrated into helmets, visors, or other gear worn by personnel. This enables the delivery of critical information, navigation aids, and situational awareness in a lightweight and versatile display system.
• Education and Training Simulators: Waveguide display can be employed in training simulators for various industries, such as aviation, healthcare, or manufacturing. Trainees can wear AR headsets with waveguide displays to participate in interactive training sessions and simulations, receiving real-time instructions and visual cues.
• Entertainment and Events: Waveguide display can be utilized to create immersive experiences and visual effects at events, concerts, or theme parks. Projection mapping, holographic displays, and interactive installations can leverage waveguide technology to deliver engaging and dynamic visual presentations.

Functions & Features

Though traditional heads-up displays (HUDs) and waveguide look displays (WLDs) have their individual niche markets, recent technological advancements and collaborations have made it possible to create hybrid systems that combine their best features.

Here are some of the important features of waveguide displays:

• Field of View (FoV): The FoV represents the complete waveguide display peripheral visual landscape. The display's resolution and content are confined within this area. The larger the FoV, the more natural and immersive the experience is. A higher FoV is necessary for more complex tasks and applications, such as pilots and drivers. A good waveguide display should have an FoV of between 40° to 50°.
• Resolution: Just like in any other kind of display, resolution represents the amount of detail that can be seen in the image. A higher resolution gives clearer and sharper images, making it easy to see fine details. Lower pixel density can result in a problem called the ""screen door effect""—the inappropriate perception of individual pixels on a low-resolution display. The resolution for waveguide displays will depend on specific application use cases. For example, the display used on a smartphone can be higher than that of a single-use case smart glass for industrial applications.
• Brightness: Displays work based on the principle of directing and generating light. Therefore, the environment's illumination level is a very important factor to consider. Displays for outdoor or brightly lit work areas require higher brightness levels to ensure that information can be clearly seen and read. A good waveguide display should have brightness levels of between 200 to 2000 nits.
• Compliance: Waveguide displays are subject to different safety regulations and industry standards, depending on their application. Displays used in automotive heads-up displays (HUD) applications must meet requirements set by regulatory bodies to ensure accuracy and safety in critical driving information. Similarly, waveguide displays used in industrial settings must comply with guidelines to protect workers' health and safety in the workplace.
• Power and energy efficiency: Power consumption and energy efficiency are very important display characteristics. Both influence weight, battery size, and runtime on devices powered by a battery. Lower power consumption and effective energy use enhance device portability and productivity.

Applications of waveguide display

A waveguide display has various application possibilities. They include the following:

• Consumer Electronics

  Waveguide displays are used in the creation of compact and lightweight heads-up displays (HUDs) for vehicles, aircrafts and other machines. These HUDs improve safety and piloting by providing real-time data on speed, altitude, direction and other important information. They are also used in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headset displays.

• Medical Imaging

  Applications in medical imaging include compact and high resolution displays for endoscopes and other medical imaging devices. They can also be used in heads-up displays for surgeons during procedures. Surgeons can access patient data and other vital information without taking their eyes off critical areas.

• Industrial Equipment

  In industrial equipment, waveguide displays are used in portable and compact monitoring and inspection devices. They can also be integrated into wearable devices for workers in industries such as manufacturing, construction and warehousing. Waveguide displays provide real-time data on equipment status, environmental conditions and safety information.

• Aerospace and Defense

  In aerospace and defense applications, waveguide displays are used in heads-up displays for pilots and vehicle operators. These displays present critical flight data, navigation information, and target cues within the pilot's line of sight. They are also used in night vision and target identification systems, providing clear and compact displays for situational awareness and target tracking.

• Automotive

  Waveguide displays are used in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and in heads-up displays (HUDs) in modern vehicles. Through these displays, drivers can access real time information concerning navigation, vehicle speed and other vital data without taking their eyes off the road.

• Education and Training

  Waveguide displays have applications in simulation and training systems. These displays provide immersive visual experiences for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) training applications. They are used to create realistic simulations for medical training, industrial operating procedures, military tactics and other professional skills.

How to choose waveguide display

This new kind of display is still very much in development stages. If buyers want to purchase these for a precise application, it is essential to evaluate the latest data regarding performance and capabilities. If the goal is to display information directly within a person's peripheral view, the following criteria for selection may be considered.

• Applications and Use Cases

  Waveguide displays are versatile devices that can be used in various sectors, such as automotive, aviation, and healthcare. Before purchasing, identify the significant application areas and use cases to determine which type of display is more suitable for your needs.

• Display Technology

  Waveguide displays use various types of display technologies, such as LCD, LCOS, and OLED. Do further research on each type of display technology to understand their benefits and limitations before making a purchase. For instance, LCOS offers high resolution and great imaging, whereas OLED provides excellent contrast and saturation.

• Optical Performance

  Details such as field of view, optical clarity, brightness, and contrast ratio are vital for any waveguide display. These specifications can significantly impact the user experience. Therefore, carefully evaluate and test the performance of a variety of displays to ensure it fulfills any particular demands and requirements.

• Form Factor

  Consider the bulkiness and comfort of the waveguide display. Proof-of-concept samples should be lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods without causing any exhaustion or discomfort. This feature is particularly important for consumer applications and products that need users to wear headgear.

• Compatibility and Integration

  For optimum performance, ensure that the display selected can accurately integrate with existing systems, platforms, and myriad types of devices. These include: sensors, actuators, and interfacing components. Also, verify that the display is compatible with future technologies and is able to adapt to up-and-coming trends in the industry.

• Customization and Flexibility

  It is very important to look for a vendor willing to offer a variety of customization options. These options should allow specific requirements to be met, and include: resolution, form factor, interface options and optical performance. Ensure that the vendor offers a flexible and iterative development process that allows user feedback to be accommodated during the design process.

• Quality and Reliability

  To maintain long-lasting and stable performance, select a vendor with experience in producing waveguide displays. Such vendors should be committed to maintaining giving excellent quality. They should also provide testing and validation of the product in real-world conditions to ensure that the displays can meet any specific performance standards and operating requirements.

• After-sales Support and Services

  Choose a vendor who is willing to provide timely and effective after-sales support. This includes: maintenance, documentation, troubleshooting and repair services. These should be backed by a committed and responsive customer support team. They should also be willing to offer training and resources to enable efficient use and up-keep of the waveguide display.

Q and A

Q: What is a waveguide display?

A: Waveguide displays are head-up displays that use guide wave technology to project real-world instrument readings into the line of sight. They work by directing light through a series of optical paths to create a viewable image that the human eye can see clearly superimposed on the field of view.

Q: How does a waveguide display work?

A: General working principle of waveguide displays involves the coupling of a light source (like LEDs or laser diodes) with a transparent optical waveguide. This coupling injects information-bearing light into the guide, where total internal reflection directs the light to the user's eyes. The display can have markers, symbols, or full-color images that appear to float in the line of sight.

Q: What are the benefits of waveguide display technology?

A: WDGs are compact, lightweight, and free from bulky optics or head mechanisms. They have a large field of view with good peripheral awareness and high optical clarity. They are also compatible with both short-range and long-range viewing conditions while offering longer battery life due to low power consumption.

Q: What are the challenges in waveguide displays?

A: Challenges may include limited brightness levels under certain lighting conditions, narrow exit pupil sizes (the angle at which a person can see the light coming out of the display), and the need for more extensive resolution capabilities to create detailed imagery. There is also a potential for display wear and tear due to frequent use.