RGB Laser Driver Squeezes Pico Projectors Into Consumer Products

Enabling the integration of high-resolution pico projectors into small-form-factor applications, the MAX3600 three-channel RGB laser driver exploits the company’s latest BiCMOS process and achieves switching times of less than 2 ns. It supports high-resolution images up to 1080p (1920 x 1080) and WXGA (1400 x 768). Notably, the device eliminates the need for three discrete laser drivers. Target applications include smartphones, portable media players, mobile-computing devices, digital cameras, accessory projectors, and digital picture frames. Integrating all necessary functions to interface a digital 10-bit RGB video source to virtually all industry-standard RGB laser diodes, the MAX3600 packs three 10-bit RGB DACs to read data from the host device's 10-bit RGB bus. Available in a 40-pin, 5 mm x 5 mm TQFN, prices start at $8.93 each/1,000. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.