ST, bTendo partner on smartphone pico projector

STMicroelectronics and bTendo Ltd have inked a development and license agreement for what is billed as the "the world's smallest pico projector" for smartphones and other portable consumer-electronics devices.

The solution is based on bTendo's innovative Scanning Laser Projection engine technology and ST's MEMS (Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems) expertise, video processing know-how and semiconductor process technology.

With today's advanced smartphones, individuals may carry huge amounts of movie clips and photos in their pockets, yet find it awkward sharing it with others due to the tiny display. Empowering projection capabilities into the mobile devices shall enable users to easily share their media with others—virtually in any place, on any surface, at any time.

Less than 2.5sq.cm in volume and below 6mm high, the jointly developed embedded projector solution will offer a focus free, vivid color, sharp image, and superior to current Pico Projection solutions. Implementing two MEMS-based micro-mirror-actuation devices within the system's optical engine, and an advanced video-processing chip, the projection engine is optimized for smartphones, enabling low power consumption and built-in support for MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) to ensure fast and easy integration.

ST chose bTendo's technology for its small size, low power and focus-free features, which are all critical for embedded projection modules. Such cost-effective, low-power solution is perfect for personal consumer devices and mobile handsets which could drive growth of embedded Pico Projectors exponentially.

A demo of the technology will be held at the Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona.