Pulse width modulation for spatial light modulator with split reset addressing

A method of loading frames of data to a spatial light modulator having individually addressable pixel elements, for a pulse width modulated display, comprising the steps of:

• dividing the display period for each said frame of data into a number of time slices;
• formatting each frame of data into bit-planes, each bit-plane having one bit of data for each of said pixel elements, and each bit-plane representing a bit-weight of the intensity value to be displayed by that pixel element, and each bit-plane having a display time corresponding to a number of said time slices;
• sub-formatting said bit-planes into reset groups, each reset group having data for a group of pixel elements to be loaded at a different time from other pixel elements, wherein said reset groups are defined by one memory cell providing data to more than one pixel element;
• segmenting into segments, the display times of reset groups of bit-planes of one or more of the more significant bit weights;
• front-frame loading said segments at the beginning of said frame period, such that, for all reset groups, segments having the same bit weight are loaded at substantially the same time;
• mid-frame loading the reset groups of bit-planes of one or more of the less significant bits at the middle of said frame period;
• and
• end-frame loading the remaining of said segments at the end of said frame period, such that for all reset groups, segments having the same bit-weight are loaded at substantially the same time.