LCD Product Highlight

Low Reflection Displays – high visibility and robust

New anti-reflection technology from Sharp reduces reflections to 0.2 percent of the incident light whilst at the same time increasing the mechanical stability of the display.

Electronica, 14 – 17 November 2006 – The recently developed low-reflection technology from Sharp (Hall A3, Stand 424) offers two advantages at the same time for the latest generation of industrial TFTs: an almost total extinction of disruptive light reflections plus increased stability. The design of the displays is based on the Strong2 model, which was only launched at the start of the year. These have been extended with the addition of a standard 2-millimetre layer of acrylic glass. The low-reflection displays are also available with 0.7 – 6-millimetre thick acrylic glass, depending on customers’ requirements.

The acrylic glass has a special anti-reflection coating which works according to the Lambda 1/4 anti-reflection principle: incident light is reflected directly onto the screen surface and onto the surface of another layer which is a quarter of a Lambda below the first one. As light travels through the top layer, there is a double phase displacement of the light wave in relation to the wave directly reflected on the surface. The phase difference of half a wavelength creates an extinguishing top surface and therefore cuts out almost all reflection. The new display structure and the Lambda 1/4 anti-reflection reduce the amount of reflection to just 0.2 percent of the incident light. By contrast, with conventional anti-reflection technology, around two percent of the incident light is reflected back.

Strong2 – Basis for good readability, robust design and durability

The low-reflection TFTs are based on the Strong2 product line, with which Sharp has set new standards in terms of the quality of industrial displays. This product line is distinguished by even better brightness and con-trast values, as well as increased robustness in thermal behaviour and better resistance to mechanical stress. Innovations in the area of activation and the selection of glass and the design of the backlight system have made it possible to increase the display brightness to 450 cd/m² with a contrast ratio of 600:1. Background lighting for the Strong2 modules is provided by long-life CCFL tubes with a service life of at least 50,000 hours in continuous operation. By comparison: standard backlights have only been able to achieve half-life periods of 25,000 to 40,000 hours up to now. Strong2 TFTs can withstand acceleration of up to 2g in a vibration test. In the standard impact test, the dis-plays can withstand acceleration of up to 50g without damage. New materials for polarizers and liquid crystals also provide an extended operating temperature range from -30° to +80° Celsius.

In addition, the various display models from Sharp offer high mechanical and electronic compatibility. If, for example, a panel with better anti-reflection properties is required for a particular application, a low-reflection module of the same size can be subsequently installed without any time-consuming and cost-intensive adapta-tion of the design. The new TFT LCD panels are available on a long-term basis in accordance with industry specifications.

The new industrial low-reflection TFTs are particularly suitable for all solutions that require excellent robust-ness plus good readability where there is strong incident light from outside. Typical areas of application include mobile measuring and diagnostic equipment for medicine, industrial and environmental analysis, information terminals and different automatic vending machines located inside and outside, industrial vehicles and control units for factory systems.

Availability

The line-up featuring low-reflection technology initially comprises three displays measuring 10.4 inches, 12.1 inches and 15.0 inches. Samples are already available via Sharp sales offices and distribution partners world-wide. Series production of the 12.1-inch LCD is scheduled to start in Q1 2007.

Specifications:

You are welcomed to visit us at the electronica hall A3, stand 424

About Sharp Microelectronics Europe

Sharp Microelectronics Europe, Hamburg, Germany, is a divisional company of Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH, which is a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a worldwide developer of core digital technologies that are playing an integral role in shaping the next generation of electronic products for consumer and business needs. Sharp Microelectronics Europe offers groundbreaking solutions in the areas of memory products, LCD, Opto Components, CCD, RF/IR, microcomputer and system-on-chip components, along with packaging and integration skills that help design engineers throughout Europe to bring their ambitious ideas to market. Sharp Microelectronics Europe is dedicated to improving people’s lives through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to innovation, quality, value and design.
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responsible:
Sharp Microelectronics Europe         
Ralf Schäfer
Sonninstraße 3                       
20097 Hamburg                     
Phone: +49 (040)/2376-2487
Fax: +49 (0)40/2376-15-2487
E-mail: ralf.schaefer@seeg.sharp-eu.com