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January 3, 2026
Question

I found the STAR1 laser beam scanning reference design, but it is several years old. How can I reproduce it today, and where can I find compatib

  • January 3, 2026
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The STAR1 laser beam scanning reference design was created as a technology demonstrator, and many of its original components are now outdated or no longer commercially available. To reproduce the design today, the focus should be on replicating the overall system architecture rather than sourcing identical parts.

Modern MEMS or piezoelectric scanning mirrors can be used as replacements, along with updated mirror driver electronics built using current high-voltage amplifiers or dedicated MEMS driver ICs. STMicroelectronics and similar vendors may offer newer evaluation platforms or reference designs that serve the same purpose as the original STAR1 hardware. For piezo mirror evaluation kits, direct contact with manufacturers or authorized distributors is often required, as these kits are typically provided for development projects.

Regarding optical waveguides, many commercial AR waveguide solutions exist today, though access may require NDAs. For prototyping, simpler optical combiners or diffractive waveguides can also be used. Overall, reproducing STAR1 today involves selecting modern equivalents that match the original specifications and adapting the design to current components and technologies.