Breaking The Limits of Virtual Reality Display Resolution: The Advancements of A 2117-Pixels Per Inch 4K Virtual Reality Liquid Crystal Display
Breaking The Limits of Virtual Reality Display Resolution: The Advancements of A 2117-Pixels Per Inch 4K Virtual Reality Liquid Crystal Display
ABSTRACT. This work presents a breakthrough in the development of high-resolution virtual real-
ity (VR) displays of 2117-pixels per inch (PPI) liquid crystal displays (LCDs). This
technology significantly improves the dynamic range and reduces the screen door
effect in VR displays. The challenges and potential solutions for achieving over
2000-PPI LCDs, including the design of the aperture ratio of pixels, improvements
in LC efficiency, and overall transmittance, are discussed. Moreover, the use of mini-
light-emitting diode backlight and low-power solutions to maintain the image quality
in high-resolution designs are also proposed.
© The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original
publication, including its DOI. [DOI: 10.1117/1.JOM.3.4.041208]
Keywords: virtual reality; liquid crystal display; display; high resolution; sub-pixel
rendering; mini-light-emitting diode backlight; high dynamic range
Paper 23005SS received May 17, 2023; revised Sep. 21, 2023; accepted Sep. 26, 2023; published Oct.
11, 2023.
1 Introduction
The demand for higher display quality in virtual reality (VR) displays has increased in recent
years, leading to continuous improvements in specifications such as resolution, color gamut, and
response speed.1–3 To reduce the screen door effect, VR display resolution has been raised from
500 to 600 pixels per inch (PPI) in 2017 to over 2000 PPI.4,5 The “screen door effect” in VR is a
visual artifact in which the user perceives a grid-like pattern, resembling a screen door, caused by
noticeable gaps between pixels or subpixels on the VR display. It can reduce the immersion and
visual quality of VR experiences. However, the highest resolution that can be mass-produced in
the market is currently around 1200 PPI.6
To meet the demand for higher PPI displays, we propose the first 4K VR LCD technology
exceeding 2000 PPI. Although many micro organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays with
higher PPI numbers (3000 to 5000 PPI) based on semiconductor chips have appeared on the
market,7 their panel sizes are relatively small. The enlargement of these panels using an opto-
mechanical system may result in a relatively small number of pixels per degree (PPD) that can be
seen by the human eye. The PPD specification on the market is currently around 20. In addition,
increasing the optical power of a lens also increases its aberration. As a result, we chose to
increase the panel size and resolution as an alternative solution.
By contrast, we propose a 2117 PPI 4K VR LCD with a higher PPD specification of ∼40,
offering better image quality and less image distortion due to the moderate panel size.
Additionally, VR LCD with a high partition mini LED backlight improves the contrast, color,
and viewing angle, providing a high-quality experience comparable to micro OLED.
This paper discusses the challenges associated with high-resolution VR LCDs, including the
design and specifications of LCDs above 1000 PPI, which differ significantly from traditional
mobile phones. Such high-resolution displays require various designs to increase the aperture
ratio of pixels while improving the liquid crystal (LC) efficiency and increasing the overall trans-
mittance. Moreover, we propose methods to reduce the panel power consumption and improve
the backlight efficiency, aiming to maintain the image quality in designs >2000 PPI while pro-
viding customers with lower power components.
Fig. 1 (a) Striped RGB line/space width reached limit and (b) sub-pixel rendering design with
a larger line/space width.
Fig. 2 (a) Conventional TFT device and (b) novel TFT device with a higher pixel aperture ratio.
sizes of TFT devices on the pixel’s aperture ratio. Figure 2(b) shows the use of a new TFT design,
which results in an aperture ratio of ∼19%, more than twice the traditional Fig. 2(a), which has
an aperture ratio of only 9%.
Aperture area
Aperture area
(a) (b)
Fig. 3 (a) Conventional pixel design and (b) special ITO electrode profile and topography design.
Fig. 4 (a) Without metal shielding and (b) with metal shielding.
Fig. 5 (a) Traditional approach with signal VH/VL and (b) new approach with multi VH/VL.
energy-efficient panel is well achieved. By comparing Figs. 6(a) and 6(b), it is evident that the
driving mechanism in Fig. 6(b) has a lower operating frequency, leading to a 50% decrease in
the operating frequency of the V-driver and a consequent reduction in power consumption.
Heavier parasitic capacitance, which comes from the compact circuit design because the
available circuit area is confined by the high PPI display, results in poor driving capability and
high-power consumption. The most power consumption occurs in the loading of the H-driver. To
overcome this challenge, we implemented several low load designs, such as metal replacement
and control line sharing. Both designs are able to reduce parasitic capacitance effectively; there-
fore, the 2117 PPI VR display can reach a high refresh rate without much energy consumption.
Figure 7(a) utilizes the metal replacement method to select a low-load wiring configuration that
reduces impedance. Figure 7(b) adopts the control line sharing method to lower impedance. Both
of these methods effectively reduce the load and were implemented in our displays.
Fig. 7 (a) Metal replacement method for lower capacitance and (b) control line sharing method to
avoid the metal crossing.
Fig. 9 Spectrum of each pure color channel (red, green, and blue) for the LCD display.
As seen in Fig. 9, the light leakage was greatly improved in the red and green areas, resulting in
a color gamut that can exceed DCI-P3 97%, as shown in Table 1. Building on this phenomenon,
we utilized high color gamut RGB color resistance with an optimized fabrication process in our
new 2117 PPI VR HMD. Additionally, our mini LED backlight is equipped with a quantum dot
(QD) film to increase light conversion efficiency and expand the red and green areas, thereby
achieving an even higher DCI-P3 color gamut.
Improvement of
light leakage DCI-P3 (%)
Before 89
After 97
used in North America and a few other regions that defines the color encoding system for analog
television broadcasts and displays.
The black and gray lines in the Fig. 10 compare the spectra of mini LED + QD and edge-lit
backlight. R, G, and B respectively represent the three-color spectrum of the color filter. It can be
observed that mini LED + QD performs better in the green and red light spectra with narrower
FWHM and higher light conversion efficiency. When combined with the color filter’s spectrum,
it achieves a wider color gamut and purer chromaticity.
Fig. 11 VR mini-LED backlight with 1024 dimming zones can bring more fine details at the inter-
section between light and dark.
Fig. 12 Backlight module thickness is controlled below 0.9 mm with the zero OD design.
Display
technology Pros Cons
Micro-OLED High potential for high resolution VR Premium cost for high-end markets like
(wafer base) Vision Pro
Small form factor for high-end Complicated optical design for smaller
applications panel size
5 Conclusion
In this paper, we addressed several challenges related to high-resolution VR LCD. We discussed
how subpixel rendering can help overcome manufacturing limits to achieve 2117 PPI for VR
LCDs. Additionally, we improved the LC efficiency of LCDs with small pixels and enhanced
their light transmittance. Furthermore, we discussed driving methods to reduce overall power
consumption. To achieve HDR and improve contrast and color in high-resolution LCDs, we
utilized mini LED backlight technology. We also introduced the concept of higher partitioning
to enhance the image quality of high-resolution VR displays. Finally, we proudly announced our
industry-first 4K VR LCD with ∼40 PPD, which provides good visual detail and immersion in
VR. This breakthrough in display technology represents a significant advancement in the devel-
opment of VR applications, and we are thrilled to see its impact on the industry.
Data availability
Data underlying the results presented in this paper are not publicly available at this time but may be
obtained from the authors upon reasonable request.
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Yung-Hsun Wu obtained his PhD in optics and photonics from the University of Central
Florida. He is currently the senior director of Innolux’s Technology Development Center, focus-
ing on mobile and VR display advancements. Since 2017, his team has been dedicated to high
resolution VR research, notably introducing a VR LCD with 2000 PPI. His scholarly portfolio
includes 50+ published papers on liquid crystal fast response devices and display applications.
Chia-Hao Tsai achieved a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Graduate
Institute of Opto-Mechatronics at the National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan. He is the direc-
tor of the design team at Innolux’s Technology Development Center, with a dedicated emphasis
on advancements in mobile and VR display technologies.
Yi-Hsiu Wu currently serves as the head of Innolux’s Optical Department, specializing in LCD
optical simulations, optical measurements for LCD displays, and various optical analysis tasks.
Yi-Shiuan Cherng is currently an associate researcher at Innolux’s Technology Development
Center, specializing in panel circuit design.
Ming-Jou Tai is currently a panel design engineer at Innolux, specializing in high-resolution
VR panel design and layout.
Potilar Huang is currently a senior engineer at Innolux, with expertise in mini LED backlight
design.
I-An Yao holds a PhD in optoelectronics from the National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan.
He currently oversees the optics design team at Innolux’s Technology Development Center,
with a specific focus on LCD process, optics, and EE within display technologies.
Chiu-Lien Yang completed her PhD in optoelectronics at the National Chiao Tung University,
Taiwan. She presently holds the position of chief technology officer at Innolux.