This collection of articles introduces the Modos Paper Monitor and Dev Kit, an open-hardware project that achieves a record-breaking 75 Hz refresh rate on e-paper displays, bringing their performance into the realm of basic LCD screens for interactive use. The core innovation is "Glider," an open-source display controller based on a power-efficient Spartan-6 FPGA. This controller enables pixel-level management, allowing for dynamic, localized updates and different rendering modes on the same screen. While this high refresh rate makes e-paper viable for applications like coding and general desktop use, it comes with a trade-off: significant peak power consumption during rapid updates, challenging e-paper's reputation for low-power operation. The project, available for crowdfunding, aims to foster an open ecosystem for developers and enthusiasts to experiment with and repurpose a wide variety of e-paper panels.
Modos Paper Monitor: High-Speed E-Paper for Interactive Use
Breakthrough Refresh Rate: Modos, a two-person startup, has developed an e-paper monitor and dev kit capable of a 75 Hz refresh rate, making e-paper displays fast enough for smooth scrolling, coding, and even some gaming, a significant leap from the typical 10 Hz or less.
Open-Source Controller: The system is powered by "Glider," an open-source, FPGA-based display controller. It translates standard video signals into the specific control signals required by e-paper panels, focusing on minimizing latency. All code and schematics are available on GitHub.
Pixel-Level Control: Unlike traditional controllers that update the entire screen, Glider treats each pixel individually. This allows for localized updates and simultaneous use of different modes on the same screen, such as a low-latency binary mode for typing and a high-fidelity grayscale mode for images.
Hardware and Compatibility: The controller uses a Spartan-6 FPGA, chosen for its power-efficiency features. It is paired with an adapter that supports dozens of e-paper displays, including those salvaged from old e-readers, making the platform highly versatile for developers and hobbyists.
Power Consumption Trade-Off: While e-paper is known for its efficiency with static images (drawing no power), achieving high refresh rates is energy-intensive. The Glider driver board itself consumes about 1-1.5W, but the e-paper panels can draw over 20W in peak power during rapid, full-screen updates. At these high refresh rates, LCD technology is likely more power-efficient.
Performance Considerations: While the refresh rate is high, users have noted significant "ghosting" (trailing artifacts) in demo videos. Modos states that ghosting is dependent on the display mode being used. The system supports up to 16 levels of grayscale.
Project Goal and Availability: The Modos Paper Monitor and Dev Kit is being offered through a Crowd Supply crowdfunding campaign. The project grew from the founders' original ambition to build an e-paper laptop, and the kit is intended to give developers the tools to create their own low-latency e-paper applications.