STMicroelectronics and bTendo Partner to Develop Embedded Autofocus Micro Projector

STMicroelectronics (ST) and bTendo Co., Ltd. announced the signing of a joint R&D and licensing agreement to jointly develop the world's smallest Pico Projector for smart phones and other portable consumer electronics devices. The solution is based on bTendo's innovative scanning laser projection engine technology and ST's leading technologies in MEMS, video processing and semiconductor manufacturing.

Advanced smart phones nowadays allow consumers to carry large numbers of movies and pictures with them. However, due to the small screen size of smartphones, it is difficult for consumers to share exciting content stored on smartphones with friends and family. Add projection capabilities to mobile devices to allow consumers to share content anytime, anywhere.

The embedded projection solutions jointly developed by the two parties have features such as autofocus, vivid colors, sharp images, and sharp pictures. Their image quality is better than the existing miniature projection solutions on the market, and their volume is less than 2.5cm3 and their height is less than 6mm. . The world's smallest projection engine consists of two parts: two MEMS-based micromirror actuators and advanced video processing chips implemented in the system's optical engine. The solution is designed specifically for smartphones and features low power consumption. Built-in MIPI support modules ensure fast and simple system integration.

Benedetto Vigna, vice president of STMicroelectronics and MEMS, sensors and high-performance analog device products, said: “People want to share content stored on smartphones with friends and family, and they want the display to be larger when they watch. bTendo has Technologies such as small size, low power consumption, and autofocus, which are vital to the embedded projection module, are also the main reasons why STMicroelectronics chose to cooperate with it.STMicroelectronics has a long history of innovative technology development, and this cooperation will be further enhanced. Our leading position in the field of MEMS sensors also strengthens our leadership in advanced user interface markets such as MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers."

bTendo CEO Dana Gross said: “We are very pleased to be able to work with STMicroelectronics, the world’s largest MEMS supplier of consumer electronics and portable devices, to successfully bring our advanced embedded micro-projection technology to the mass market. ST’s excellent semiconductors Manufacturing technology and design capabilities will allow us to implement a low-cost, low-power miniature projection solution for personal consumer electronics."

William (Bill) L, president and founder, market research agency Pacific Media Association (PMA). Dr. Coggshall said: "We predict that mobile devices will drive the growth of the embedded pico projector market in the next two years. ST's laser scanning solution with bTendo to enter the pico projector market will be an important milestone in achieving this prediction."

STMicroelectronics will exhibit this technology at booth 106 of Hall 7A of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ​​Spain, from February 14th to 17th, 2011.