Report Details

2008 LED Projection Systems Report

A study of the use of LEDs as an illumination source for projection systems.

Quick Facts

Date of Release: Publisher: Authors: Number of Pages:

October 2008 Insight Media Matthew Brennesholtz Robert Brown Chris Chinnock 259 pages

The Need:

Most microdisplay-based projection systems built to date have used an HID lamp such as the UHP as a light source. LEDs have begun to penetrate the projection market and currently LED-based rear projection TV, companion pico-projectors and ultra-portable projectors are commercially available. This penetration of LEDs into the projection market is expected to continue and LED-based home theater projectors have already been announced while development of LED illumination for several other projector categories is ongoing. As a result, there is a need for an evaluation of LEDs in terms of technology, price and performance, and comparison of these parameters to the existing and forecast markets for projection systems across a range of potential applications.

Report Objective:

The objective of this report is to provide technologists, managers, product planners, engineers and researchers with the information needed to evaluate LED technology in proposed projection displays. The required information needed to make these decisions include performance data, cost information and availability, all forecasted from 2008-2012. Since the projection market includes segments that range from very low end to very high end, this report evaluates LEDs suitable for projectors ranging from a few lumens up to about 2000 lumens.

This report focuses on the roadmaps for LED devices and supporting thermal management and driving systems. This data is then applied to the analysis of specific LED projection markets and applications in six separate and stand alone Market Segment Analyses.

Highlights:

• Coverage of the use of high-brightness LEDs (HB-LEDs) in projection displays, including both benefits and problems
  
• Optimized wavelengths and colorimetry of HB-LEDs to be used for projection displays
  
• A description of current LED technology for visible-light HB-LEDs, including both single color and white light LEDs
  
• Due to the negative effect of temperature on virtually all properties of a HB-LED, there is an extensive discussion of thermal packaging to maintain the lowest possible temperature.
  
• A discussion, including examples, of the optical and mechanical design of HB-LEDs
  
• Evaluation of the optics of projection systems that can use LED illumination
  
• Discussion of the drive circuit requirements for HB-LEDs in projection applications
  
• A technology forecast for HB-LEDs including changes in the technology that can be expected through 2012.
  
• Price forecasts for HB-LEDs, as a function of die area, color and quantity per year. All price forecasts go through 2012.
  
• A table containing information on 242 companies involved in LEDs or LED projection
  
• Profiles of 6 key LED manufacturers
  
• View the complete table of contents

The following graph is a sample of a figure from the Technology section of the report.

This figure shows the variation with temperature of the spectral properties of a red HB-LED intended for a projection application.

The following figure is from the forecast section of the 2008 LED Projection report.

This figure shows the forecast cost of a LED illumination module intended for a projection application through 2012. This module would contain two 1mm2 green die plus one each 1mm2 red and blue die. Cost includes not just the die and the die packaging, but the optical collection/collimation elements, the thermal management hardware and the LED drive circuits. This module would be usable as an illumination source in a companion pico-projector.

The report contains 138 figures and 27 tables.

Market Segment Analyses:

Six separate market segment analyses for 9 of the market segments defined in the table are designed to give details of the application of Laser and LED light sources in specific markets.

• Electronic Cinema and Large Venue (Completed November, 2007)
  
• Visualization and Simulation (Completed November, 2007)
  
• Pico-projectors, both integrated and companion (Completed April, 2008)
  
• Pocket and Ultra-portable Projectors (Expected completion November 2008)
  
• Consumer Home Theater and RPTV (Expected completion January 2009)
  
• Heads-Up Displays (both aviation and automotive) (Expected completion December 2008)
  

Methodology:

Understanding how LED technology will evolve, how light is used in projection systems and the costs of future LED systems is a difficult task. To approach this, Insight Media starts with a very thorough engineering analysis of the HB-LED technology, performance, performance trade offs and factors that affect pricing. This analysis is designing to model the price and performance evolution of HB-LEDs over a variety of power ranges. This analysis is developed by researching web, conference and Insight Media documentation, talking to and meeting with key players in the industry and attending conferences on related subjects. Analyses and forecasts were validated when possible with experts working in the LED projection field.

For the market segment analyses, we apply the price-performance models for HB-LED based systems to each market segment where LED illumination is an option. This means understanding the value propositions these LED-based systems will create vs. incumbent or other anticipated products in the category. It means understanding the market segment business and competitive dynamics and how end-users might or might not adopt new technology. It means doing this evaluation today and over the 4-year forecast period. All of this is needed to develop a penetration forecast of LED-based projection systems in each market segment analysis.

Who Should Buy:

• This report should be purchased by anyone considering a projection system based on HB-LED illumination
  
• The report is of value to people planning research, development or products utilizing HB-LED illumination
  
• Engineers and researchers involved in HB-LED projection systems
  
• Investors looking for information to support due diligence
  
• Anyone interested in visible-light high-brightness or ultra-high brightness LEDs.
  

Associated Reports:

The 2007 Laser Projection Systems companion report evaluates the use of laser light sources in projection displays.
The six market segment reports (three complete and three in preparation) covering the use of HB-LEDs and Lasers in projection sytems.
The 2008 LCD Backlight Report discusses the use of HB-LEDs and other light sources as backlights in notebook-size and larger LCD panels.
The 2007 Field Sequential Color LCD-TVs and Monitors report covers the use of HB-LEDs as the backlight technology enabling direct view, field sequential LCDs.

About the Authors:

The principle authors of the 2008 LED Projection Report are Matthew Brennesholtz, Robert Brown and Chris Chinnock. Additional contributions were made by Art Berman, Steve Sechrist and Ken Werner

Deliverable:

The report is delivered as a PDF file under a site license agreement. Each market segment analysis is a separate PDF file. On-site presentations and discussions of the data in this report are also available.

Pricing:

2008 LED Projection Systems Report	$3,000 for one company site license/one site location
Market Segment Analyses	~$2,000 to 2,500 each depending on the report
Multi-site Report Pricing	Contact: annmarie@insightmedia.info

For custom market segment analyses and/or on-site presentation of the results of this report, please contact Insight Media.

To order:

Call Annmarie at Insight Media 203-831-8464, or e-mail info@insightmedia.info.

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