UK-based Plessey Semiconductors is a design and manufacturing company focused on GaN-on-Silicon micro-LEDs.
Plessey developed unique monolithic micro-LED process technology that can be used to produce Micro-LED displays without a transfer process.
Over the years, the company demonstrated several prototypes and has also launched two product lines (for segmented microdisplays and full dot-matrix ones). In 2020, however, Plessey announced a partnership with Facebook under which Plessey will dedicated all of its manufacturing operations to support Facebook with its own product development. While not exactly an acquisition, this is pretty close.
In 2023, it was reported that the development based on Plessey's technology and processes did not progress as expected, and Meta did not manage to develop high brightness microLEDs or a process with satisfactory yields. This report was not confirmed.
Tamerton Road
Roborough
Plymouth
PL6 7BQ
United Kingdom
Plessey's Quanta-Brite and Quanta-Ray micro-LED microdisplay technologies explained
Yesterday we reported that Plessey partnered with AR supplier Vuzix to bring Micro-LED display engine, Quanta-Brite, for next generation AR Smart Glasses - which Vuzix expects to introduce in 2019.
An interesting article at LED Inside explains Plessey Semiconductor's technology. The Quanta-Brite display engine is not a 'true' Micro-LED display - it is an LCoS or DMD (digital mirror) display engine that is lit by a micro-LED array and special optics. Usual LCoS and DMD displays are lit by larger LEDs, and Plessey claims that its micro-LED solution will provide a more efficient and more uniform display.
Vuzix and Plessey to co-develop MicroLED based AR glasses, aiming to commercialize a first device by 2019
UK-based GaN-on-Si MicroLED developer Plessey Semiconductor announced that it has partnered with AR supplier Vuzix to develop advanced Micro-LED display engines for Vuzix waveguide optics to enable next generation AR Smart Glasses. Vuzix expects to introduce the Micro-LED microdisplay based AR glasses in 2019.
Vuzix says that Plessey's Quanta-Brite light engine is highly efficient and bright, and will enable smaller and more efficient AR devices. The Quanta-Brite engine is based on Plessey's advanced and proprietary gallium-nitride-on-silicon (GaN-on-Si) technology, with an integrated monolithic array of RGB pixels with advanced micro-optical elements.
Plessey and Artemis to co-develop MicroLED based HUD displays
UK-based optical thin-film developer Artemis announced a partnership with Plessey Semiconductor to co-develop HUD displays that use Plessey's GaN-on-Si MicroLEDs and Artemis' thin-film coatings for HUDs.
Plessey recently announced its new licensing platform and also its intentions to bring a monolithic MicroLED display to the market in H1 2018. Plessey demonstrated an HUD prototype powered by its MicroLED display.
Plessey aims to bring a monolithic GaN-on-Silicon MicroLED display to the market by H1 2018
UK-based Plessey Semiconductor announced that it aims to be the first to market with a monolithic microLED based display based on GaN-on-Silicon in H1 2018. The company also announced a new licensing program that will enable third parties to license its GaN-on-Silicon microLED IP and expertise.
Plessey says that GaN-on-Silicon is the only technology that can address all the production challenges for MicroLED displays in high volumes. The company's main business will be its licensing platform, but it aims to bring to market its own displays to demonstrates its expertise.