« LVDS Signal System for TFT Displays Application Notes
Active Matrix LCD
Individual pixels of the display are controlled by thin film transistors, which are deposited directly onto the glass substrate. Each pixel is therefore driven in a static mode, resulting in very high contrast and viewing angle.
Annunciator
A word or special symbol which is driven as a single segment
Array Process
Method of manufacturing where displays are arranged in rows and columns on a large laminate and separated after they are filled with LCD fluid.
Backplane
The common electrode connection. There can be multiple backplanes in a multiplexed display.
Common Plane
Same as Backplane.
Contact Ledge
The area along the edge of the parts where electrical connections are made.
Contrast Ratio
The ratio of the luminance between the dark and light areas of the display.
Dual in Line Pins (DIL)
Two rows of pins attached along parallel sides of a display.
Direct Drive
A method of driving a display whereby individual segments are driven from separate edge connections.
Elastomeric Connectors
A thin conductive material used to make connections between an LCD and a PC board.
First Minimum
An LCD construction technique where the cell geometry is optimized for maximum contrast and viewing angle. The geometry is different for each LCD fluid.
Font
The style of a letter or digit.
Ghosting
A condition where segments which are in the "off" condition become slightly visible.
Heat Seal Connector
A thin flexible cable used to connect the LCD to the PC board.
Image Area
The total area bounded by the display characters.
Ink Overlay
The process of applying opaque, colored inks to the display to provide colors or highlight certain areas of annunciators.
Isocontrast Plot
Usually a polar plot showing contrast ratio versus viewing angle. The individual curves represent points of equal contrast.
Liquid Crystal Flui
An organic material which has both liquid and crystalline properties.
Module
An LCD which includes a PCB, driver electronics, bezel, and possibly, a backlight.
Multiplex (Mux)
A method of driving a display where multiple segments are driven from the same edge connection.
Negative Image
A display which has a dark background and lighter active segments, i.e. clear characters on a black background.
Pixel
An individual active segment.
Polarizer
A stretched polymer which transmits light in only one axis. A typical display has polarizers on the front and back.
Positive Image
A display which has a light background and darker active segments, i.e. black characters on a silver background.
Reflective
A viewing mode which uses ambient or other front lighting to provide the illumination for the display.
Segment
An active area within the display which can be turned on and off. This can be a single segment of a 7-segment character, an annunciator, or a pixel in a dot matrix array.
Static Drive
See Direct Drive
Supertwist (STN)
A type of display which uses fluids which "twist" greater than 90o. An STN display has improved viewing angles and contrast at high multiplex rates.
Transflective
A viewing mode which can use ambient light or backlighting to provide the illumination for the display.
Transmissive
A viewing mode which cannot use any type of front lighting to provide the illumination for the display, it therefore must use a backlight.
Twisted Nematic (TN)
A type of display where the liquid crystal fluid rotates the plane of polarization 90o.
Viewing Area
The area of a display which is visible through a bezel or cut-out in an instrument.
Viewing Angle
The preferred angle of viewing a display, usually described in comparison to a clock face, i.e. 12 o'clock for above the normal, or 6 o'clock for below the normal.