Mirrorcle Technologies MEMS Mirror Development Kit allows a user to quickly and efficiently gain familiarity with all aspects of these devices and their various possible uses. Furthermore, it enables safe operation of the devices with specifically developed software and MEMS driver solutions which include several levels of protection for the micromirror devices.
Development Kit users are able to display a variety of vector graphics as well as multiframe animations at arbitrary refresh rates. Scanners can be operated in point-to-point vector scanning or resonant and rastering modes. The system is highly adaptable to projection on various surfaces and in a variety of applications, including projection on specially-coated transparent surfaces. The ultra-low power consumption of the MEMS devices makes the system highly portable and miniature – the kit is very light-weight and fully mobile when used with a laptop computer.
Scanning, two axis (tip-tilt) mirrors are a fundamental optical beam steering technology required in a wide variety of applications across many industries. Mirrorcle’s MEMS mirror technology provides a highly competitive solution to cater to many of those applications due to its capability to control mirrors to tip/tilt at arbitrary angles in two orthogonal axes, or two rotational degrees of freedom. For example, a laser beam pointed at the micromirror could be deflected to any angle from -12° to +12° (specifications vary for different designs) on either or both axes, and therefore anywhere in a 24° field of regard cone. When a wide-angle lens is employed (see add-ons below,) field of regard of over 45° for each axis is easy to achieve.
Mirrorcle Technologies gimbal-less two-axis mirrors are driven by electrostatic actuators. Their angle of rotation closely follows a square law, i.e. angle is proportional to the square of applied voltage. This inherent non-linearity is linearized by specialized, bias-differential driving circuits. Mechanically, the mirrors behave approximately as second-order (mass-spring) systems with a high Q of 30-80, and therefore require properly conditioned drive signals to obtain well controlled performance. In open-loop driving, smoothing of applied voltage waveforms (input shaping and/or filtering) prevents overshoot and mechanical ringing at device resonance. Mirrorcle Technologies software and hardware drivers implement multiple methodologies to provide linearization and fast and stable point-to-point beam steering.
In most applications the mirrors do not require a position sensor or closed-loop control due to their exceptional repeatability in open loop control. Nevertheless, they may be equipped or packaged by customers with external position sensors for closed loop control operation. In those applications, customers have used the MEMS mirrors in closed-loop for feedback-based damping. However, Further technical details are made available in the Development Kit Overview and in additional documents and scientific publications on the support web page.
- Standard Dev Kit
- Semi-Custom Dev Kit
- Dev Kit with Scan Module
- LIDAR / Imaging MEMS Dev Kit
- PLAYZER Dev Kit
Three Gimbal-less Dual-Axis MEMS Mirrors
- First mirror is integrated, 1.0mm diameter with +-4.7° of mechanical angle (A7M10.2-1000AL-TINY48.4-[window]).
- Second mirror is integrated, 2.0mm diameter with +-5° of mechanical angle (A7M20.2-2000AL-TINY48.4-[window]).
- Third mirror is bonded, 4.2mm diameter with +-4.8° of mechanical angle (A8L2.2-4200AL-TINY48.4-[window]).
All three mirrors are Aluminum coated. Each mirror device is packaged in a connectorized package TINY48.4 for easy handling, mounting and connection to the USB MEMS Controller.
Each device is covered with an anti-reflection coated window in which there are anti-reflection coatings available to choose.
User Chooses Three Gimbal-less Dual-Axis MEMS Mirrors – Types, Sizes, Coatings, and Packages
In a standard development kit, the three mirror sizes and actuators are preselected and premanufactured to reduce cost and delivery time. However if users wish to choose other mirror and actuator types, sizes, coatings and type of packaging, it is available in this category. User can select among various available 4-quadrant actuators to best suit their application, and select among all available mirror sizes. Mechanical tilt angle depends on the chosen actuator type. Aluminum and Gold coatings are available.
For development of applications with a Scan Module
In other development kits there are individual MEMS Mirrors included which can be used with kit accessories or other user optics to develop optical beam steering applications. In this kit, a Scan Module is included instead which is a pre-assembled (integrated) optomechanical cell which includes a MEMS Mirror, a laser diode, beam shaping and wide angle scanning optics. The Scan Module includes a very fast dual-axis quasi-static MEMS Mirror of 1.0mm diameter (A7M10.2-1000AL). With this easy-to-use option users can experiment and develop laser beam scanning applications with optical scanning angles of -17° to +17° (on both axes) with a high speed mirror with all optics pre-aligned, assembled, and enclosed. Standard version includes a green laser Scan Module "EaZy4.0G", set by the MEMS Controller to output maximum laser power of 4-4.99mW. Laser intensity is controlled with Mirrorcle software based on 8-bit laser driver (0-255). Other wavelengths are also possible (red, blue, or violet) with longer lead times and tooling fees.
We offer two types of LiDAR/Imaging MEMS Development Kits
LiDAR/Imaging MEMS Dev Kit 1 (P/N: DK-026)
Large diameter, large angle MEMS mirrors, typically used in coaxial designs with both illumination/transmit and sense/receive paths going through the MEMS mirror.
- (2x) Two mirrors, bonded, 4.2mm diameter with +-5° of mechanical angle (A8L2.2-4200AL-TINY48.4-?/TP).
- (1x) One mirror, bonded, 5.0mm diameter with +-5° of mechanical angle (A8L2.2-5000AL-TINY48.4-?/TP).
LiDAR/Imaging MEMS Dev Kit 2 (P/N: DK-027)
Medium diameter, large angle MEMS mirrors, fastest and most robust, typically used in biaxial/bistatic designs only on illumination/transmit paths, or in shorter distance coaxial designs.
- (2x) Two mirrors, integrated, 2.0mm diameter with +-4.8° of mechanical angle (A7M20.2-2000AL-TINY48.4-?/TP).
- (2x) Two mirrors, integrated, 2.4mm diameter with +-5° of mechanical angle (A5M24.3-2400AL-TINY48.4-?/TP).
LiDAR/Imaging MEMS development kits are for developers of systems such as OCT/Confocal imaging systems, LiDARs, 3D Scanning, and include MEMS Mirrors and supporting hardware and software to assist developers in integration into complete prototypes and/or products. When combined with user's own ToF or FMCW receiver, they offer a very short route to a complete LiDAR reference design / prototype system. Similarly developers of biomedical imaging (OCT and other modalities) systems will find these a perfect fit.
For a fully functional 3D LiDAR demonstrator kit see DEMO-07 Mirrorcle Products List or contact our sales.
Each mirror device in the kits is packaged in a connectorized package TINY48.4 for easy handling, breadboarding and connection to the USB MEMS Controller. Each device is covered with a specified choice of A,B, or C anti-reflection coated window and wedges optionally available for the windows with an -11° tilt. (The "?" in the above mirror P/N should be replaced by B or C for window selection)
Playzer is a pocket-sized Programmable Vector Graphic Laser Projector
- VGLP, display vector content at >=40Hz rate
- Red or Green or Blue or Violet laser based Scan Module
- MEMS Mirror: A7M10.2-1000AL
- Approx. 34° x 34° Field of View
- Mirrorcle MEMS Controller - USB Interfaced and Powered
- 8-bit Modulation (Mirrorcle Software)
- <0.005° Beam position repeatability
- ~1000mW Power Consumption (depends on laser power)
Monochrome Playzer Development Kit is a demonstration and development bundle using Mirrorcle’s Vector Graphics Laser Projection (VGLP) technology. It includes a Monochrome Playzer Module with user-chosen wavelength (see options below), Windows Software Applications, and Software Development Kits in C++, Matlab, and LabView. Playzer Module PZ-04 has a very fast dual-axis quasi-static MEMS mirror integrated in a Scan Module with the laser diode, beam shaping, and wide angle projection optics. The Kit allows a plug-and-play, simple and playful environment for testing of displaying and other programmable laser applications.
The module includes a single-wavelength laser source with a choice of following colors/wavelengths: (R) for 638nm red, (G) for 520nm green, (B) for 450nm blue, (V) for 405nm violet. Pricing listed here is for the red and green options; for up-to-date lead times and pricing on the blue and violet options please contact Mirrorcle Sales.
This Development Kit Also Includes:
USB MEMS Controller
Mirrorcle-designed controller board provides USB communication, 16-bit driving for MEMS devices, and programmable hardware filtering to avoid overshoot and ringing. Also included is a digital output port with 8 digital lines synchronous with MEMS drive, as well as two analog inputs. Controller runs at rates of up to 120k samples-per-second for driving of the X- and Y-axis and of the digital output port. Onboard 500kB RAM allows storage of up to 100k samples. Controller is USB bus-powered and provides power for the embedded MEMS driver. System can therefore run solely on a laptop, powered by its battery. Interfacing and controlling the board is provided by C++ functions of the Windows API, by a Matlab API, or by LabView functions, as shown in many SDK examples and executable programs included with the Mirrorcle Software Suite.
Embedded 4-Channel MEMS Driver. Converts serial digital input from the Controller Board to four differential channels from ~0V up to 200V per channel, to drive 4-quadrant MEMS mirrors. Allows up to 50 kHz bandwidth actuation (typically lower due to user-chosen filter settings). Also included are programmable hardware-based low-pass filters and protection circuitry to reduce the chances of device damage. Powered directly from the Controller Board (from USB bus).
Includes USB cable and two 10-pin ribbon cables for MEMS drive and digital output.
Mirrorcle Software Suite
Allows extensive MEMS mirror driving capabilities in multiple Windows executables (XP, Vista, Win7, Win8) and 3 comprehensive SDKs.
- MirrorcleDraw executable for Windows with an easy to use Graphical User Interface
- Includes generation of various arbitrary waveforms
- Includes RQ Explorer for "Resonant-Quasistatic" driving to rapidly line-by-line raster over an FoV
- MirrorcleLinearRaster is a console application for Windows
- MTIDevice-Demo is a console application demonstrating several mirror control methods from the C++ SDK
- MirrorcleListDevices is a console application which lists all connected and available Controllers and their info
- Software Development Kit for C++
- Software Development Kit for Matlab
- Software Development Kit for LabVIEW
Optical Breadboarding
A 4.5”x4.5” optical breadboard with 1/4"-20 thread holes. Includes 2 post holders, 90-degree laser holder and a 1/2" post. Along with the MEMS Mount (separate item) it is designed to be highly flexible and modular, and compatible with standard optical breadboarding equipment.
Small Optical Breadboarding
A small optical breadboard with 1/4"-20 thread holes. Includes a post holder, and a 1/2" diameter post for optional mounting of the Scan Module.
MEMS Mount ``Horseshoe``
Mirrorcle-designed, anodized aluminum mount for breadboarding with connectorized-package (TINY20.4 and TINY48.4) MEMS mirrors. Include threaded holes for mounting on optical breadboarding posts (8-32 thread), threaded holes for mounting onto KMS opto-mechanical mounting and threaded holes to mount TinyPCB-packaged MEMS mirrors.
5 mW (Class IIIa) Red (635 nm) Laser
Red laser with a small ~1mm diameter beam which works well with most of our mirror sizes includes modulation capability for fast on/off control. Miniature, rugged design (10mm diameter x 30mm length). Great for experimentation with various vector graphics capabilities of our devices and software, and for development of synchronized digital outputs and/or triggers that are available with the Mirrorcle's USB Controller.
Pricing and Availability:
- Mirrorcle Standard Development Kit
- $7,450 + shipping and handling. Ships in 2-3 business days after receipt of payment.
- Mirrorcle Semi-Custom Development Kit
- Starts at $8,875 + shipping and handling, final cost depends on exact details of the offer. Typically ships in 3-4 weeks.
- Mirrorcle Development Kit with Scan Module
- $6,950 + shipping and handling. Ships in less than 2 weeks after receipt of payment.
- Mirrorcle LIDAR/Imaging MEMS Development Kit 1 & Kit 2
- $8,490 (Kit 1) & $7,900 (Kit 2) + shipping and handling. Ships in less than 3 weeks after receipt of payment.
- Mirrorcle LIDAR/Imaging MEMS Development Kit 2
- $7,990 + shipping and handling. Ships in less than 3 weeks after receipt of payment.
- Mirrorcle Playzer Development Kit
- Starts at $5,899 + shipping and handling, final cost depends on exact details of the offer. Typically ships in less than 3 weeks.
- Mirrorcle Standard Development Kit
Wide-Angle Lens$290
Custom designed and built afocal lens with 3 lens elements that will magnify the optical scan-angles of the system by approximately 3X. This magnification is substantially linear, resulting in overall development kit scan capability of over 45°. Lens has 1/2" and 1" diameter elements and comes mounted on a 1/2 " optical post. Lens elements are anti-reflection coated for visible wavelengths.
Laser Tracking Bundle$1995
A bundle that extends the capabilities of the USB-SL Controller and Mirrorclce API by providing users a quick route to prototyping and development of laser tracking applications. Bundle includes a high sensitivity photosensor with an optical daylight filter and a multi-stage amplifier designed for noise reduction. A sample retroreflective tape is included for marking laser tracking targets in the range of several to tens of meters. An example C++ Visual Studio project is included with several examples of use of the tracking library classes.
Wireless Option$390
Adds wireless communication (over Bluetooth) capability in addition to the USB communication to the Mirrorcle USB MEMS controller (USB-SL). When wireless communication is used, users should provide 5VDC battery or USB power to the controller's USB input port. Also used with Android Development Kit.
Android Development Kit$2625
Adds wireless communication (over Bluetooth) capability to the Mirrorcle USB MEMS controller (USB-SL). Includes Mirrorcle's Android Java API for user's development of applications. An Android Tablet is included with pre-installed MirrorcleDraw and other demo apps. In addition to the Eclipse library and comprehensive user guides, example projects are provided with source codes.
Linux Development Kit$1950
Mirrorcle's Linux Development Kit is built on Ubuntu 18.04 for the x86_64 architecture. It includes the complete C++ SDK as well as open-source examples of MTIDevice-Demo and MirrorcleLinearRaster.
Python Software Dev Kit$950
Additional SDK for development using Python language (built for Windows) with most of the same functionality and capability of the Windows-based C++ SDK to run all of the examples in MTIDevice-Demo.cpp. Includes a library of functions and multiple example scripts.
PSD Bundle$4990
The PSD Bundle consists of a PSD Module, optical breadboarding, and open-source C++ and Matlab examples for use with Mirrorcle Software Suite's C++ and Matlab SDKs. The PSD Module consists of a 20mm x 20mm duo-lateral PSD (Position Sensing Device) and conditioning circuits for powering the PSD and converting its output currents to X and Y positions, and a CW red laser module with focusing capability. The open-source examples provided are intended for use with the Mirrorcle Software Suite and demonstrate the creation of Look-Up-Tables, characterizing MEMS devices' Angle vs. Vdifference responses, etc.