Densitron Technology occupies both aunique and commanding position ineach of our three core areas ofoperation, namely the processing,transmission and displaying ofinformation.
Since 1970, as one of the largestdesigners and manufacturers of displaytechnology, we have established thebest local design facilities wherever youare in the world. Backed up by state ofthe art production facilities, situatedglobally and taking advantage of themost cost effective manufacturingbase, we deliver every day highlycompetitive solutions to problems thattrouble even the largest blue chipOEM’s.
Our latest and most excitingtechnology brands solve real problemsfor product designers worldwide theyare:-
Optimiser- ultra low power displaysenabling long battery life from a singlepower cell.
ECObright- No power backlighting forproducts used in the dark.
Phoenix - True sunlight readabledisplays that never wash out in anylighting condition.
Chameleon - A highly reflective LCDtechnique offering the best viewabilityin all lighting conditions.
ASEPs - Application Specific ElectronicProducts that incorporate uniqueassembly methods to fit the smallest ofspaces.
So wherever you are, if you have adesign or manufacturing question thattroubles you in the telecoms, medical,industrial or professional marketplacespeak to us first - we probably havethe answer already.
USA Design Centre, Los Angeles
Display Integration
2D and 3D Design
EMC and ReliabilityTesting
LCD Glass and ModuleProduction
Electronic and HardwareDesign
Clean Room Bonding
System Manufacture
Software DesignElectronic Design
PC Systems
European Design Centre, London
World WideDesign
Densitron Design Book 20/5/02 10:58 AM Page 3
Densitron produces the widest range of glass technologies and construction in the industryfor all applications from military to high volume consumer devices.
As a brief explanation to the choices available we have set out this glass design section toassist the designer in conjunction with marketing and our product designers to get the bestlook available for your product.
Display glass design – As a veteran of thousands of display designs, Densitron specialises in creating the right look at the right cost.
PIN: Metal pins can be added toone or more sides of our glassproducts at pitches of 1.8, 2.0,2.54mm. When cropped tolength they can provide suitableelectrical and mechanicalinterconnection in through-holeor surface mount environments.
Seal Pip: A small covering ofepoxy resin is used to seal theLCD injection port. Typically thiscan be placed on any non-connected side of the glass. (Typical size 10mm x 1mm)
Digit Information: In commonwith PCB design LCD glass canhave any combination of digits,icons, graphics and flags withinthe viewing area with the onlyprovision being that anelectrical connection can bemade to it. In this way vividhigh contrast images can becreated.
Connection Edge:A connection edge is createdfrom which the conductive layercan be attached to the host PCBby a wide variety of methods.
STN - High Duty: STN fluid isused where the duty cycle (ormultiplex drive method) ishigher than 1/8. By virtue ofhaving a higher twist angle thanTN it provides a high contrastimage for most duty cyclesacross a wide range of operatingconditions.
Colour Choice: Whereas TNglass offers exclusively a blackdot on a clear or greybackground (for duty cycles upto 1/8 maximum) STN offers arange of colours as follows: Bluedot yellow background, or bluedot grey background. In negativemode a deep blue backgroundcolour with a dot colour createdby the colour of the backlightingis created.
Characters: As well as discreteicons or graphics, dot matrixcharacters can be created withinthe view area to display alphanumeric information.
Zebra: The high densityconnection pitch seen on alphanumeric displays may require anelastomeric connector (zebrastrip) to interconnect to thehost PCB. This will require abezel to hold the assemblytogether with the correctpressure.
Heat Seal: The high densityconnection system of heatsealing enables a flexibleconnection to be made betweenthe glass and the host PCB ofalmost any length with a pitchas small as 0.22mm, it also doesnot require any bezel.
High Density Pixel Array:A continuous matrix of rows andcolumns can be created withinthe view area suitable fordisplaying any informationincluding full graphic images (so called ‘bit map’ images).
Background Colour:In FSTN glass the yellow andblue colours of STN are colourcorrected with a compensationfilm to give a true black dot onneutral background. This can befurther enhanced with colourfulbacklighting.
Black Mask: To accentuatesections of a negative imagedisplay and cut out strayemitted light, a black mask canbe used either on the rear of thedisplay or internally to enhancecontrast.
Negative Image: For normallighting applications seen indomestic and industrialenvironments a negative imagedisplay (one where thecharacters are lit and thebackground dark) can providethe most attractive lookingdisplay by virtue of cleverbacklighting. Multi-colourbacklights and filters can beused to further enhance the lookof the display.
Pseudo Colour STN: Whencombined with suitable controltechnology, Densitron’s PCSTNtechnique allows a standard STNcell to display up to 4 colours,eg: red, orange, blue, purple,green, etc.
Layout: As with any glasstechnology a wide range oficons, characters and graphicimage can be shown with PCSTN technology up to amaximum duty cycle of 1/64.
Light Mode: When theambient light is high the display operates in a highly reflective mode, giving a dark dot on a bright background.
Dark mode: As the ambientlight reduces and thebacklight intensityincreases respectively,the image is magicallytransformed via thechameleon technologyto display a negativeimage on a darkbackground.
Chameleon: Densitron’s uniquechameleon technology providesthe designer with the ability toactively switch viewing modesfrom reflective positive totransmissive negative dependingon ambient light conditions. Itoffers twice the reflectiveproperties as a standardpolariser, giving the user theclearest possible image under alllight conditions.
Displays
Densitron Design Book 20/5/02 10:58 AM Page 5
Not tied to any specific silicon manufacturer, Densitron occupies a strong position to select the most appropriate driver and its associated mounting package specific for your application. This will broadlyfall in line with one of the 6 types shown on this page.
Display Controller and Driver Selection – All assembly technologies all under one roof gives us the flexibility on production volumes and construction.
Bare Die
TCP
COF
QFP (SOIC)
Gold bumpedfor COG
Connect direct viaACF for bent TABsolutions
Connection via heatsealfor TAB solution
Wire bonded for VCOG
Wire bonded for standard COB
Combine with COB for mixedtechnology assembly
Complete electronicassembly
Bond COF to make compactVCOG circuits
Bond COF for custom shapesand interconnection
Use traditional componentpackaging for fast delivery
ExampleResolution QFP DIE GOLD TAB COF1X8 (Chars) ✓ ✓
1X16 (Chars) ✓ ✓ ✓
2X16 (Chars) ✓ ✓ ✓
4X12 (Chars) ✓ ✓ ✓
4X20 (Chars) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
16X96 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
32X96 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
32X100 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
33X102 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
32X128 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
32X132 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
64X100 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
64X128 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
32X256 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ●
65X132 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
100X160 (Dots) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
● Gold Bumped - Smallest XY size● Die Only - Very low cost● Chip On Board (COB) - Low cost, low profile assembly● Quad Flat Pack (QFP) - Availability● Tape Carrier Package (TCP) - Availability and ease of use with built in interconnection system● Chip On Flex (COF) - Built in interconnection and possibility for mounting other
Wherever a product is used in a low light condition some form of additional illumination can beused. Densitron offers the widest range of backlighting to suit all applications from our “no” powerECObright technology to the ultra high brightness Phoenix sunlight readable solutions.
Backlighting – From no powered Ecobright to sunlight readable Phoenix technology, Densitron’s application knowledge helps you create the best in any environment.
ElectroluminescentOccupying a mere 0.25mm space beneath the LCD glass, EL offers a highly compact and even illumination system. Driven by high voltage AC it requires a small drive circuit which can be built on-board the module or fitted externally to the unit. A wide range of colours and an infinite variety of shapes can be made using a simple silk screen and die cuttooling process.
LED BacklightingThe use of LEDs in Densitron’s backlighting broadly falls into 3 categories, namely Optimiser, Edge Lit and Array. The Optimiser backlight provides the highest efficiency backlighting giving the lowest current and most even lightdistribution compared to other similar technologies.Edge Lit backlighting can be achieved by using side firing LEDs in either packaged or raw dice form. Light sources can beplaced on one or more edges surrounding the display and light is distributed under the display by means of a plasticdiffuser. Array backlighting achieves the highest intensity by using a surface array of LEDs placed directly underneath theviewing area of the display.
ECObrightDeveloped to provide zero power,long life, low intensity backlighting,ECObright requires no externalpower and lasts up to 8 hourswithout further sunlight charging.Available in sheets and mouldedshapes, it is extremely easy toimplement in any application.
CFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp)CFL offers a true white light source for any display. It is driven from a high voltage high frequency current source. Various intensities can be achieved by either ‘edge lit’ assembly (where the lamp is placed at one side of the display areaand diffused underneath) or by the ‘direct’ method of placing the lamps directly under the view area. The brightest form ofCFL lighting is achieved through Densitron’s unique Phoenix concept enabling in excess of 2000 Cd/m2 surface brightness.
PO
WE
R/
BR
IG
HT
NE
SS
T Y P I C A L A P P L I C A T I O N
Typical EL applicationColourful, even EL foil (15-20Cd/m2)
Direct CFL (200Cd/m2)Phoenix (2000Cd/m2)Typical CFL application Edgelit CFL (100Cd/m2)
Typical LED application (Optimiser)Backlights
Densitron Design Book 20/5/02 10:58 AM Page 9
Keypads Mechanical Services
Discrete individual keys: Any manufacturers switchchoice, can be fitted onto Densitron LCD modulesoffering a reduction in cost over a separate switchPCB assembly. Tactile switches are available in5mm, 9mm, 12mm and various other sizes andshapes.
Key ready PCB. We are also able to design our PCBcircuit to integrate with your external key mapensuring long term reliability in use.
Mechanical Services - in building up our capability to produce the widest range of displaytechnologies Densitron has invested heavily in production equipment. Much of thisinvestment has been in the production of mechanical parts required at all stages of thedisplay manufacturing process. We are able to offer our expertise in all these fields tocomplete your sub-assembly or entire product through our vertically integrated factories.
Plastic injection moulding is used very frequently in display bezel andbacklighting manufacture.
Optically clear polycarbonate windows are often used asprotective covers in front of our displays.
High quality silk screen printing can be made on both flatand curved surfaces in any colour and design with greataccuracy.
Through our 2D and 3D design network we can design toolsfor extremely complex shapes in a wide range of plasticmaterials. These include ABS, PC, acrylic and phynol.
As a veteran of more than 1000 new productdesigns, we can complete the product imagewith a colourful design of packaging, manualsand point of sale material.
Densitron is also expert in metal fabrication,casting and machining. High qualityaluminium, zinc and magnesium materialscan be die cast whilst steel can be stamped,machined and formed with a wide variety ofhard production tools
Polydome embossed or metal dome integratedunderneath the surface layer gives additionaltactile feedback to the user.
By means of silk screening graphics, logos andmulti colour images can be created.
Flat flex tail offers easy integration onto the host PCB
Silicon rubber can be injection moulded into anycustom shape to create both large and smallkeymat areas with any number of keys creatingeasy to fit, cost effective input.
Artwork, numbers, letters, etc can be silk screenedin one or more colours directly onto the key pad.
High durability and additional tactile feel can becreated by a range of hard top coats.
By altering the shape and design of the key matvarious tactile feels can be achieved.
Conductive carbon pills are attached to the keypads to complete an electrical circuit once the keypad is fitted to the PCB.
Touch panels - Densitron has more than 10 yearsexperience in the integration of analogue resistivepanels into display systems.
Any size and shape of touch panel can be createdand additional silk screen printing, sealing gasketsand hard coats can be combined to provide arugged, reliable user interface.
By combining a discrete touch panel with one ofDensitron’s range of LCD panels the mostattractive and cost effective use of thesetechnologies can be achieved.
