Overview
IEC 62906-5-6:2020 is an International Electrotechnical Commission standard that defines measuring methods for the optical performance of projection screens used with laser displays. It specifies standard measurement conditions and procedures for assessing photometric characteristics - notably screen gain and speckle contrast - measured from different viewing directions. The standard applies to integrated, fixed-configured sets where a laser projector and a projection screen create a real image, and covers both front and rear projection on flat screens. Optically see-through screens (including HUDs) are excluded.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & applicability: Methods are for combined projector + screen (device under test, DUT) in a fixed configuration, flat surfaces only; see-through displays excluded.
- Primary metrics:
- Screen gain (including peak gain and half-gain angle) - relative deviation from a Lambertian distribution and angular directivity.
- Speckle contrast - angular characteristics and measurement from different viewing directions.
- Screen gain uniformity and screen colour shift (informative annex).
- Standard measurement conditions:
- Environmental: temperature 25 °C ± 3 °C, relative humidity 25–85 % RH, pressure 86–106 kPa.
- Power: supply voltage within ±0.5 %, frequency within ±0.2 %.
- Warm-up: perform measurements after output stabilizes; illuminance variation ≤ ±5 %.
- Darkroom and coordinate system requirements; standardized measurement locations (e.g., nine points across screen).
- Measurement equipment and terms: DUT (device under test), LPD (laser projection display), LMD (light measuring device).
- Safety and procedural refs: Optical safety per IEC 60825‑1 and IEC 62471‑5 where applicable.
Applications and who uses it
- Manufacturers of laser displays and projection screens for product development, R&D and QA.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies performing performance verification and comparative testing.
- System integrators and AV procurement teams validating fixed projector‑screen sets (front and rear projection).
- Engineers assessing display uniformity, viewing-angle performance, speckle mitigation and color reproduction for cinemas, simulation environments, digital signage and professional AV installations.
Related standards
- IEC 62906-1-2 (terminology and symbols)
- IEC 62906-5-2 (optical measuring methods of speckle contrast)
- IEC 60825-1 (laser product safety)
- IEC 62471-5 (photobiological safety for image projectors)
- CIE S 014-1 (colorimetry / standard observers)
Keywords: IEC 62906-5-6, laser displays, projection screens, screen gain, speckle contrast, measuring methods, photometric characteristics, front projection, rear projection.