Liquid Crystal Display Technology: Gregg Cianfrini

Liquid Crystal Display
Technology
Gregg Cianfrini
Introduction
n Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology is a
critical facet of the electronics industry
n Readily available, relatively inexpensive way to

provide detailed feedback
Topics of Discussion
n Reasons for use
n Technology overview
n Active v. Passive Matrix displays
n Addressing Methods
n Performance Enhancement
Techniques
Reasons for Use
n Inexpensive (compared to other
display technologies)
n Compact
n Versatile
n Low Power Consumption
n Proven Technology
Technology Overview
n Liquid crystal sandwiched between electrodes,
alignment layers, glass, and polarizers
n Most common liquid crystal structure used is

‘twisted nemantic’ (TN)
u Light enters first polarizer into helical liquid crystal
u Rotated light exits the second, offset polarizer
n Apply bias across electrodes - result: dark area

u Crystal molecules no longer have helical structure
u Light not rotated - blocked by second polarizer
Tech Overview - Diagrams
Source: Simar International Services, Ltd.

http://www.simar.ie/wlcd.htm
Tech Overview - Color & Contrast
n Types of LCD contrast - reflective and transmissive
n Grayscale achieved by varying bias across cell
n Color typically achieved through color filters

u Must be capable of passing white light for full color
u Other methods are currently being explored
n Color via filters decreases already inefficient light

transmission
Passive vs Active Matrix Displays
n Two different methods for producing multi-bit
images
n Both rely on ‘slow’ electrical response of crystal to

retain a bit for duration of scan time
n Directly related to addressing schemes

Passive Matrix
n Row & Column approach
n Apply small bias to perpendicular lines of
electrodes
n Bias strong enough to darken bit at line
intersection
n Multiplexed addressing scheme
n Advantage: Simple to implement
n Disadvantage: Can cause distortion
(‘ghosting’ or ‘crosstalk’)
Active Matrix
n Each cell has its own thin-film transistor (TFT)
n Addressed independently from behind LCD
n Direct addressing scheme
n Advantages: Sharp display, better viewing angle,
40:1 contrast
n Disadvantages: Need better
backlight, complex hardware
Addressing Methods
n Multiplexed - used for passive matrix et al
n Direct - highest contrast, wide temperature

range
n VGA/SGA/XGA interfaces available
n Serial interfaces available (similar to assembly

addressing of an I/O port)
Performance Enhancement
Techniques
n Goals: Better response, greater contrast, greater
pixel density, and lower power consumption
n Several tricks employed / being developed to

increase functionality
u Sub-pixel addressing
u Material experimentation
u Multi-layer designs
n 3-D LCD displays

PET: Sub-Pixel Addressing
n Old algorithm applied to new technology
n Uses optical illusion to increase perceived
resolution
n Complimentary color pixels eliminate need for full
pixel to be used
Normal print Sub-pixeled print Implementation
Source: Gibson Research Corporation - http://grc,com/ctwhat.htm

PET: Material Experimentation
n Goals:
u Improve response
u Expand operational environment
n Heaters employed for low-temp conditions
n “Barrier coatings” protect from
contamination by conductive particles
n Liquid crystal material must be carefully
chosen for correct viscosity at desired
operating temp.
PET: Multi-layer Designs
n Greater brightness per unit of power or
extended battery life
n Needs no filters to generate colors
n Sharp, Toshiba
are important
contenders in
this field
n Currently, contrast
needs improvement
(~7:1 reflectivity) Source:
EDTN
http://www.eet.com
PET: 3-D LCD Displays
n Current work by Phillips laboratories
n Goal: To create a 3-dimensional display

without the need for special glasses
n Combination of active-matrix LCD with

lenticular lens to achieve stereoscopic effect
n Applications: medical imaging, entertainment

Summary
n LCD technology is an immensely powerful
tool for system feedback
n Different addressing schemes and display

implementations have various trade-offs
n Several techniques are being employed to

increase LCD functionality - plenty of room
for discovery!

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Liquid Crystal Display

n Readily available, relatively inexpensive way to

n Most common liquid crystal structure used is

n Apply bias across electrodes - result: dark area

Source: Simar International Services, Ltd.

n Color typically achieved through color filters

n Color via filters decreases already inefficient light

n Both rely on ‘slow’ electrical response of crystal to

n Directly related to addressing schemes

n Direct - highest contrast, wide temperature

n VGA/SGA/XGA interfaces available

n Serial interfaces available (similar to assembly

n Several tricks employed / being developed to

n 3-D LCD displays

Source: Gibson Research Corporation - http://grc,com/ctwhat.htm

n Goal: To create a 3-dimensional display

n Combination of active-matrix LCD with

n Applications: medical imaging, entertainment

n Different addressing schemes and display

n Several techniques are being employed to

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