Method and apparatus for dynamic DMD testing

A method of measuring the dynamic behavior of a DMD micromirror residing in a DMD micromirror array, the method comprising:

• providing a high-speed illumination source adapted to illuminate at least a portion of a DMD micromirror array;
• providing an integrating optical sensor adapted to measure light reflected by a DMD micromirror array;
• providing a DMD pattern generator comprising a movable stage for mounting a DMD micromirror array;
• electrically connecting a DMD micromirror array to the DMD pattern generator;
• applying an alternating pattern of inversely related driving signals to the DMD micromirror array at a first periodic rate;
• illuminating the DMD micromirror array with a stroboscopic light flash lasting for a period of time that is about one half of the period of the driving signal, wherein the commencement of the light flash is synchronized with the commencement of a cycle of the alternating pattern of driving signals;
• and
• measuring an amount of light reflected from the DMD micromirror array over a first period of time with the integrating optical sensor, wherein the first period of time comprises at least one complete cycle of the alternating pattern of driving signals.

A method of measuring the dynamic behavior of a DMD micromirror residing in a DMD micromirror array, the method comprising:

• providing a high-speed illumination source adapted to illuminate at least a portion of a DMD micromirror array;
• providing an integrating optical sensor adapted to measure light reflected by a DMD micromirror array;
• providing a DMD pattern generator comprising a movable stage for mounting a DMD micromirror array;
• electrically connecting a DMD micromirror array to the DMD pattern generator;
• applying an alternating pattern of inversely related driving signals to the DMD micromirror array at a first periodic rate;
• illuminating the DMD micromirror array with a plurality of stroboscopic light flashes, wherein each of the stroboscopic light flashes lasts for a period of time that is less than half the period of the driving signal, and wherein the commencement of each of the light flashes is synchronized with the driving signal;
• and
• measuring an amount of light reflected from the DMD micromirror array over a first period of time with the integrating optical sensor, wherein the first period of time comprises at least five periods of the driving signal.

A system adapted for measuring the dynamic behavior of a DMD micromirror residing in a DMD micromirror array, the system comprising:

• a high-speed illumination source adapted to illuminate at least a portion of a DMD micromirror array;
• an integrating optical sensor adapted to measure light reflected by a DMD micromirror array;
• a DMD pattern generator electrically connected to the illumination source and the optical sensor;
• wherein the DMD pattern generator is adapted to apply an alternating pattern of driving signals to a DMD micromirror array that is mounted on the pattern generator at a first periodic rate;
• wherein the illumination source is adapted to illuminate the DMD micromirror array with at least one light flash that is synchronized with the alternating pattern of driving signals;
• and
• wherein the optical sensor is adapted to measure an amount of light reflected from the DMD micromirror array over a first period of time, wherein the first period of time comprises at least one complete cycle of the alternating pattern of driving signals.