Design and analysis of an optical system is often a multidisciplinary task, and can involve the use of specialized software packages for imaging, mechanics, and illumination. This paper will present a case study on the design and analysis of a basic heads-up display (HUD) for automotive use. The emphasis will be on the special requirements of a HUD visual system and on the tools and techniques needed to accomplish the design. The first section of this paper will present an overview of the imaging design using commercially available imaging design software. Topics addressed in this section include modeling the windshield, visualizing the imaging performance, using constraints and freeform surfaces to improve the system, and meeting specific visual performance specifications with design/analysis methods. The second section will address the use of a CAD program to design a basic mechanical structure to support and protect the optics. This section will also discuss some of the issues and limitations involved in translating data between a CAD program and a lens design or illumination program. Typical issues that arise include the precision of optical surface prescriptions, surface and material properties, and the management of large data files. In the final section, the combined optical and mechanical package will be considered, using an illumination design program for stray light analysis. The stray light analysis will be directed primarily toward finding, visualizing, and quantifying unexpected ray paths. Techniques for sorting optical ray paths by path length, power, and elements or materials encountered will be discussed, along with methods for estimating the impact of stray light on the optical system performance.
KEYWORDS: Optimization (mathematics), Prisms, Light emitting diodes, Monte Carlo methods, Prototyping, Waveguides, LED displays, Lamps, Reflectors, 3D displays
Display devices have historically been designed through an iterative process using numerous hardware prototypes. This process is effective but the number of iterations is limited by the time and cost to make the prototypes. In recent years, virtual prototyping using illumination software modeling tools has replaced many of the hardware prototypes. Typically, the designer specifies the design parameters, builds the software model, predicts the performance using a Monte Carlo simulation, and uses the performance results to repeat this process until an acceptable design is obtained. What is highly desired, and now possible, is to use illumination optimization to automate the design process. Illumination optimization provides the ability to explore a wider range of design options while also providing improved performance. Since Monte Carlo simulations are often used to calculate the system performance but those predictions have statistical uncertainty, the use of noise tolerant optimization algorithms is important. The use of noise tolerant illumination optimization is demonstrated by considering display device designs that extract light using 2D paint patterns as well as 3D textured surfaces. A hybrid optimization approach that combines a mesh feedback optimization with a classical optimizer is demonstrated. Displays with LED sources and cold cathode fluorescent lamps are considered.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.