Colorado MicroDisplay Introduces Low-Power, Full-Color, Full-Motion Video QVGA Microdisplay Solution for Mobile Internet Devices, Smartphones and Digital Imaging Products.

Buisness Editors

SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION DISPLAY CONFERENCE, Long Beach, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2000--

24-bit Color QVGA Microdisplay Chipset Supports Text, Still Images

and Full Motion Video

Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc. (CMD) today unveiled the CMD3X2A microdisplay system, the lowest power-highest performance QVGA (320x240 pixels) microdisplay chipset available today for the next generation of mobile communication, mobile entertainment and digital imaging products.

The CMD QVGA microdisplay operates on a meager power budget of approximately 15mW and delivers up to 24-bit color depth (16.7 million colors). The CMD3X2A display utilizes CMD's patented Dynamic Nematic Liquid Crystal on Silicon(TM) technology to deliver refresh rates of up to 120 Hz (360 colors per second) for rock solid still images and full motion video. It's large reflective pixels overcome the pixelization, high power consumption, and low optical efficiency found in transmissive microdisplays -- thereby delivering end users with virtually seamless images while consuming less power. What's more, its small physical package and 4.8 mm diagonal (3.84 mm H x 2.88 mm V) active display area is well suited to deliver large images in increasingly smaller mobile communications products and digital still cameras. The CMD3X2A QVGA microdisplay operates on a single standard supply voltage and drives the liquid crystal material with lower voltages than competitive transmissive microdisplays. This lower drive voltage reduces display power consumption by as much as four times (4X) compared to competitive offerings. In addition, because of the greater efficiency of CMD's reflective display technology (optical throughput), much lower illumination power is required to achieve the same brightness level offered by transmissive microdisplays.

Accompanying the CMD3X2A microdisplay is CMD's next generation Illumination Controller, the CMD3XLB. This ASIC manages the RGB LEDs to optimize system performance and image quality. It accepts commands that are synchronized with pixel data, and translates them into signals to control LED timing and duty cycle. Some of the performance parameters controlled are brightness, color balance, and power down operation. This next generation part has been highly optimized and integrates several discrete precision components. It comes in a 24-pin TSSOP package resulting in an efficient space saving solution for printed circuit boards (PCB). A complete optical module consisting of the CMD3X2A display, CMD3XLB illumination controller, and third party RGB LED illuminator can deliver brightness levels in excess of 30 foot-lamberts (fL) and a contrast ratio of 100:1.

"The mobile internet device, mobile communication and digital imaging markets are currently underserved in terms of a low cost, low power, high performance display solution," said Jordan Watters, vice president of sales and marketing at CMD. "Consumers want access to the rich content, images, and video that is currently available to them at home but not yet available in mobile products. CMD's new QVGA microdisplay combined with our existing SVGA microdisplay, allows CMD to address the complete market opportunity and enable all the products and services that can use microdisplay solutions to deliver high quality content."

To support OEMs in the design-in process, CMD is introducing the CMD3X2A QVGA microdisplay system evaluation kit. It provides OEMs with the tools necessary to quickly and efficiently conduct electro-optic evaluations. Orders for the kits are being taken now.

Additional Key Features and Benefits of the CMD3X2A Microdisplay System - Low power, rich-color depth and high refresh rate to match market requirements for mobile communication and digital imaging markets.

      --  High-refresh rate (Up to 120Hz or 360 colors per second) to
        neutralize color break up, flicker and motion artifacts in
        video

      --  Pixel Pitch / Pixel Mirror Size - 12 (mu)m x 12 (mu)m/11.6
        (mu)m x 11.6 (mu)m result in a very high fill factor (93%) to
        provide high optical efficiency and abrogate pixelization

      --  Flex Lead Package with Zif Connector enables small form factor
        end-user products

      --  Low-power requirements (15mW display only, 90mW with
        illumination and drivers) enables use in portable applications
        and provides for longer battery life

      --  Rich-color depth (24-bit - typical) supports the full range of
        content including text, still images and full-motion video

      CMD3X2A QVGA Microdisplay Chipset Evaluation Kit - To assist OEMs
in their design-in process, CMD offers the CMD3X2A Chipset Evaluation
Kit. The kit includes everything necessary to evaluate and integrate
the QVGA microdisplay solution, from the input side of the equation to
the creation of images on the display. All of the necessary elements
required to do both a qualitative and quantitative assessment are
included in the evaluation system:

-- Viewer

      --  CMD3X2A QVGA Microdisplay

      --  CMD3XLB Illumination Controller

      --  Red-Green-Blue (RGB) LED Illumination System

-- Image Sources

      --  Flash Memory for Stored Images

      --  CMOS Imager

      --  Personal Computer Digital Video Interface (TMDS)

      --  VGA Loop-Through Output

      --  Windows 95/98-based Display Evaluation/Prototyping Software

      --  System documentation and cables

Availability and Pricing

-- QVGA Microdisplay Chipset

      --  CMD3X2A QVGA microdisplay samples available in Q3, 2000.

      --  CMD3XLB Illumination Controller samples are shipping now.

      --  CMD3X2A volume production will begin in Q1, 2001.

      --  CMD3X2A and CMD3XLB chipset price estimated at less than $25
        in OEM volumes

-- CMD3X2A QVGA Microdisplay Chipset Evaluation Kit

      --  Kits available in limited quantity in Q3, 2000; general
        availability expected in Q4, 2000

      --  Evaluation kit price is $2,500

--  The chipset and Evaluation Kit are available through CMD and its
    worldwide distribution partners

About CMD

Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc. is a privately held technology development and marketing company whose mission is to develop and commercialize microdisplay technologies that enable "no compromise" display solutions for the next class of computing, entertainment, digital imaging, communication and projection products. Based in Boulder, Colo., CMD was founded in 1996 by Chief Scientist Dr. Douglas McKnight; President and CEO Mark Willner; and Chairman of the Board Dr. Robert Epstein. Additional information on the company can be found on http://www.comicro.com.

We Share Your Vision and Dynamic Nematic Liquid Crystal on Silicon (DNLCOS) are trademarks of Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective holders.