Imagine watching your favorite YouTube videos is not on a tablet, but a three-dimensional hologram floating in front of your eyes. This sci-fi scheme is now closer to reality as South Korean researchers have created the technology to convert ordinary 2D videos into real-time 3D holograms.
South Korea’s Electronics and Telecommunications Institute (ETRI) has developed what they describe as the world’s first semiconductor-based digital holographic processor capable of converting standard video content into detailed holograms without significant delay.
In a recent demonstration, researchers showed how a processor can convert anything displayed on a computer screen, including streaming services such as YouTube and Netflix, as well as video calls, and holographic images that appear to exist in three-dimensional space.
What distinguishes this development from previous attempts in hologram technology is its speed and integration. The processor can render these complex visual transformations at a 30-millisecond latency at 30 frames per second, which has nothing to do with human perception.
“Our goal is to develop a dedicated holographic media processor chip for general-purpose hologram display by combining hardware-based holographic image enhancement technology in the future,” said Kwon Won Won Won Won Won Won Won Won Won Won Win OK, principal investigator in ETRI’s digital holographic research section.
The technology relies on a system called a real-time holographic processor (RHP), which extracts red, green, and blue data as well as depth information in regular videos. It then performs complex mathematical calculations to simulate how light waves behave when reflecting actual three-dimensional objects.
These calculations will overwhelm standard computers, processed by dedicated field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) technology integrated into a single system of a single chip. Perhaps most critically, the processor uses high bandwidth memory (HBM) instead of conventional DDR memory, allowing it to process large amounts of data at speeds previously unavailable.
The result is that holograms are generated faster than software-based alternatives, while consuming less power, a key factor in potential consumer applications.
After three years of research, this development appears to be gaining international recognition. Etri demonstrated the technology at major industry events, including the SID Showcase Week in San Jose, Tokyo and Siggraph Asia last December, which reportedly attracted widespread attention.
“The development of holographic processors will enable real-time hologram creation with low power consumption and compact form factor, which marks an important step in the practical application of holographic technology,” said Hong Kee Hoon, part of ETRI’s digital holographic research.
Unlike some hologram technologies that require specialized shooting equipment or pre-rendered content, the processor can be used with existing videos. This compatibility with standard content may be critical to adoption, as it means that users do not have to wait for specially created holographic media.
Technical specifications are impressive according to current standards. The processor can reconstruct holographic video at 4K resolution, thus processing the complex wave propagation math required to create illusions of depth and dimensions in real time.
Holographic itself is nothing new – the technology uses light interference and diffraction to record and reproduce three-dimensional images. However, traditionally, generating high-quality holograms requires huge computing resources that make real-time applications impractical.
This development is supported by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute for Information and Communication Technology Programme and Assessment, part of a larger program for holographic media services.
Going forward, ETRI researchers plan to further enhance the technology by directly acquiring natural holograms based on natural light and developing high-definition hologram rendering technology.
The research team predicts that it includes a holographic car head display projected onto the windshield, enhanced virtual and mixed reality equipment, and dedicated entertainment and communications holographic media systems.
They also plan to transfer technology to industry partners, suggesting that we may see commercial applications of this technology in the coming years, which could bring the holographic future of long-running science fiction to a closer look to reality.
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