Signal generator for controlling a spatial light modulator

A signal generator for controlling a spatial light modulator, wherein said spatial light modulator is comprised of blocks, comprising:

• a block selection decoder to select at least one block of said spatial light modulator, said block selection decoder enabling the selection of either all even numbered blocks simultaneously, all odd numbered blocks simultaneously, all blocks simultaneously, or one block individually, said selection based on address and block select signals input to said block selection decoder;
• a mode selection decoder to determine what operation should be performed on each selected block and each non-selected block, said determination based on mode select signals input to said mode select decoder and whether or not each block is selected as determined by the output of said block selection decoder;
• a delay circuit to ensure that said output drive circuit stops driving the control or bias signals necessary to perform one operation before supplying the control or bias signals necessary to perform a second operation;
• a level shifter circuit to shift the voltage level of the signals controlling said output drive to the voltage levels necessary to properly bias the output drive transistors;
• and
• an output drive circuit connected to said mode selection decoder and to each block of said spatial light modulator to supply the control or bias signals necessary to perform said operations on said blocks, said output drive comprising at least one transistor to switch a bias voltage to each block of said spatial light modulator.

A method of controlling a spatial light modulator, wherein said spatial light modulator is comprised of at least two groups of modulator elements, said method comprising:

• providing block select and mode select signals;
• decoding said block select signals to select at least one said groups of modulator elements;
• decoding said block select signals to determine which of said groups of modulator elements are selected to receive an element reset signal;
• and
• providing an element reset signal to said groups of modulator elements selected to receive said element reset signal while simultaneously providing a different voltage signal to a remainder of said groups of modulator elements.