Custom LCD Solutions
A complete custom LCD design service for Monochrome, and TFT displaysBenefits
Allows a more creative approach to the display design
* Differentiates the end product by enhancing the display
* Allows a display to be used where front panel space could be a premium
* Reduce costs by integration of control panel features
* Increase reliability of the end product
* Can be designed for extreme operating conditions.
As technologies evolve and tooling charges reduce the option to design a complete custom display solution to handle the HMI functions becomes more viable. By choosing this approach product designers can be more creative in the overall product design helping to give the end product an edge over the competition.
Click here or on the image to view a Case Study of our Custom LCD Solutions service
Custom LCD panels and modules
Our design team can help you design a custom LCD panel, our expertise will help you define the layout and design to achieve maximum effect for minimum unit cost. By understanding the options available from a range of suppliers we can help select the technology that most suits the application saving time and expense.
Custom LCD solutions can vary in complexity from a simple two digit display though to a multi line, multi enunciator’s solution with integral drive components together with perhaps even some of the systems electronics. The design team at RDS can offer in depth technical design support on all elements of a project.
The LCD Panel
The passive LCD technologies have been available for a while and have their restrictions and advantages depending on the display requirement.
TN (Twisted Nematic) is the oldest and most simple technology. This is used in displays with few segments/icons. Contrast and viewing angles are very good at low multiplex rates, hence the few segments. Typical applications are limited numeric information and customized icons. Positive or negative mode is achievable both with and without backlight. Connection methods are solder pins, zebra connector, heat seal and FPC.
STN (Super Twisted Nematic) is a later development and is widely used in character modules. The STN technology has the advantage of good contrast and viewing angles at higher multiplex rates and is therefore suitable for dot matrix types of displays, alpha numeric, full graphic or in combination with special icons.
One limit to STN is that it’s naturally coloured, dark-blue segments on a yellow green back ground, or deep purple segments on a grey-green background, or finally a negative mode which is very crisp using a white backlight on a clear blue background. None of these can be inversed positive/negative mode like the TN technology. So the demand for more colour neutral displays with a high content of segment has prompted the development of the FSTN (Film Compensated Super Twisted Nematic). This is basically the STN technology but with an added colour compensation film which then makes the FSTN display colour neutral and easy to use in positive or negative mode. The high content of segments in STN/FSTN makes solder pins difficult, so most connections are made with zebra connectors and/or heat seal.
The Driver Electronics
The LCD needs an AC square wave 50-60HZ to turn the Liquid Crystal. Some micro controllers have this available as “built in LCD driver” However this is limited to very few segment lines and mainly suitable for the TN displays with limited segments/icons. When it comes to more complex displays with high content of segments i.e. high pixel resolution, then it is necessary to add a display driver IC. This could then be a combined driver and controller function so the system micro controller and LCD controller/driver can communicate on a data line.
The Backlight
Today nearly all backlights use LED’s in a typical small custom LCD module. The development in LED technology has also prompted new ideas in the mo
* Can be designed for extreme operating conditions.
As technologies evolve and tooling charges reduce the option to design a complete custom display solution to handle the HMI functions becomes more viable. By choosing this approach product designers can be more creative in the overall product design helping to give the end product an edge over the competition.
Click here or on the image to view a Case Study of our Custom LCD Solutions service
Custom LCD panels and modules
Our design team can help you design a custom LCD panel, our expertise will help you define the layout and design to achieve maximum effect for minimum unit cost. By understanding the options available from a range of suppliers we can help select the technology that most suits the application saving time and expense.
Custom LCD solutions can vary in complexity from a simple two digit display though to a multi line, multi enunciator’s solution with integral drive components together with perhaps even some of the systems electronics. The design team at RDS can offer in depth technical design support on all elements of a project.
The LCD Panel
The passive LCD technologies have been available for a while and have their restrictions and advantages depending on the display requirement.
TN (Twisted Nematic) is the oldest and most simple technology. This is used in displays with few segments/icons. Contrast and viewing angles are very good at low multiplex rates, hence the few segments. Typical applications are limited numeric information and customized icons. Positive or negative mode is achievable both with and without backlight. Connection methods are solder pins, zebra connector, heat seal and FPC.
STN (Super Twisted Nematic) is a later development and is widely used in character modules. The STN technology has the advantage of good contrast and viewing angles at higher multiplex rates and is therefore suitable for dot matrix types of displays, alpha numeric, full graphic or in combination with special icons.
One limit to STN is that it’s naturally coloured, dark-blue segments on a yellow green back ground, or deep purple segments on a grey-green background, or finally a negative mode which is very crisp using a white backlight on a clear blue background. None of these can be inversed positive/negative mode like the TN technology. So the demand for more colour neutral displays with a high content of segment has prompted the development of the FSTN (Film Compensated Super Twisted Nematic). This is basically the STN technology but with an added colour compensation film which then makes the FSTN display colour neutral and easy to use in positive or negative mode. The high content of segments in STN/FSTN makes solder pins difficult, so most connections are made with zebra connectors and/or heat seal.
The Driver Electronics
The LCD needs an AC square wave 50-60HZ to turn the Liquid Crystal. Some micro controllers have this available as “built in LCD driver” However this is limited to very few segment lines and mainly suitable for the TN displays with limited segments/icons. When it comes to more complex displays with high content of segments i.e. high pixel resolution, then it is necessary to add a display driver IC. This could then be a combined driver and controller function so the system micro controller and LCD controller/driver can communicate on a data line.
The Backlight
Today nearly all backlights use LED’s in a typical small custom LCD module. The development in LED technology has also prompted new ideas in the mo
Visit the RDS (Review Display Systems Ltd) website for more information on Custom LCD Solutions
