Better Light, Better Image

HPA Technology Retreat 2012Laser Engines for Digital Cinema

Have we checked all the boxes?

Bill BeckCo-founder; EVP

bbeck@laserlightengines.comSalem, NH

Better Light, Better Image

Laser Light Engines – at a glance• LLE is a VC backed start-up in Salem, NH• Multi-disciplinary; systems oriented; image quality and IP-centric

• Vision: create a new category of solid-state illuminationLaser-driven, no-speckle, fiber-coupled RED/GREEN/BLUE (RGB) light

• Mission: develop and sell RGB laser light “engines” to performance projection markets, including D-Cinema

• Strategy: universal modules and engines for retrofit and new designs• Core competencies: systems approach; laser design; despeckling; projector interface;

fiber delivery

Better Light, Better Image

AND THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGYRequirements drive demand…

Better Light, Better Image

Critical RequirementsFull brightness 3D •Constant >11 fL; 60 - 200 klm…pre-3D cut•No speckle on silver or white high gain screens for all types of content

Retrofit installed base•>50% of screens converted; most with new projectors•Universal engines will drive high production volumes

Better image quality•Complete despeckling (SCR% = Xenon)•Increased contrast ratio (>5000:1) and bit depth (>10)

Reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)•Lower OPEX must pay back first cost of retrofit engines

Better Light, Better Image

EXCEEDS THESE REQUIREMENTSLLE Technology…

Better Light, Better Image

Full Brightness 3D• High output, low étendue modules and engines

– Key to power scaling and efficient fiber delivery (retrofit)

• Optimum primaries maximize lm/laser watt (>300)• Maximum lm/W minimizes projector thermal load• Despeckled RED/GREEN primaries work in 3D

– Silver and white, high gain screens

Better Light, Better Image

Retrofit Installed Base• Interfaces demonstrated for all major Cinema and

performance projection designs• Small, flexible fiberoptic cables connect engine to projector

– Single White; single RGB or multi-RGB bundles – Pedestal, Booth Rack or Server Closet options– 2-100 meter remote delivery demonstrated

• Universal, stackable engines drive volume manufacturing– Simplifies engine design; reduces cost– Provisioning and sparing more flexible and economical

Better Light, Better Image

Better Image Quality• Complete 2D and 3D despeckling in side by side tests vs. Xenon

– All types of content live or animation / motion or still– All types of screens silver or white / high gain or unity gain– All types of projectors DLP® and LCOS / D-Cinema and non-cinema– All major 3D systems Polarization / Spectral

• SCR% = to Xenon out of the laser; no projector modifications required– Key is massive spectral broadening – NOT large numbers of discrete narrowband lasers

• Spectrally broadened primaries enable despeckling; high f# and contrast• Low étendue, pulsed lasers enable >5000:1 contrast; greater bit depth

Better Light, Better Image

Keys to lower TCO• Low acquisition cost

– Universal retrofit design drives highest production volumes– Highest efficacy primaries reduces required laser watts and cooling– Use of mature, lowest $/W pump and BLUE diodes

• Long lifetime– Use of longest lifetime pump and BLUE diodes will enable >30,000 hour lifetime

• Reduced light engine and HVAC power consumption• Figure of merit is: $ / klm-hour

– 6kW Xenon - $0.14 /klm-hr (does not include original lamp/lamp house BoM)– Retrofit Laser Engine - $0.07/klm-hr (Lower for integrated engine)

Better Light, Better ImageRemaining Challenges Power Scaling for Brighter 3D Complete despeckling on white and silver high gain screens Universal fiber-based retrofit designs Hollywood ready image quality Simplified regulatory requirements (LIPA focus) Manufacturing scale-up and cost reduction

LLE has checked all the technology boxes – even knocked the 3D speckle curveball out of the park……now it’s time to build and ship some laser light engines