Sharp introduces vehicle LCD with 1,500:1 contrast ratio

Combining excellent image quality with high durability the High Contrast display offers new opportunities for design of vehicle panels and car infotainment systems.

Electronica, 14. – 17. November 2006 – In Munich Sharp introduces a newly developed LCD for in-vehicle applications. It features a contrast ration of 1,500:1, currently, the display with the highest contrast ratio avail-able.

The re-engineering of various display components, in particular, the color filter, and the revamping of the LCD panel's pixel design made it possible to achieve a display that delivers unprecedented deep and rich blacks. The contrast ratio of 1,500:1 exceeds the one of previous models by the factor three, while maintaining the high durability and reliability demanded of an in-vehicle display.

Compared to LCDs for consumer products, in-vehicle LCDs used in car navigation systems and as monitors for rear-seat entertainment systems must be more resistant to vibration and must function reliably over a broad range of temperatures. Consequently, the new high contrast display is designed for an operating temperature of -30C° to 85°C. In addition, the wide viewing angle of 176° in all directions ensures a clear sight from every seat in the car. The High Contrast LCD can, for example, be adopted for use in instrument panels to improve the readability. It provides outstanding design options, evoking a strong unified appearance when coupled unobtrusively with the typical flat black color of instrument panels. When the vehicle is being driven, this new LCD can display, among other things, the speedometer reading. When it is being parked, that same LCD can provide the driver with a map or a video camera image of the area behind the vehicle. With mechanical meters indicating the drivers’ information this is simply not possible. With the new High Contrast LCDs allows providing different in-formation depending on the respective situation, it substantially contributes to the safety and comfort of drivers.

Recently, the widening selection of maps and the proliferation of video titles on DVD are driving a shift to even larger screen sizes and higher resolutions. Moreover, it is expected that in-vehicle LCDs will be further devel-oped for use in instrument panels to display important information needed for driving a car.

Sharp has consistently developed in-vehicle displays that give rise to new applications, including the Dual Di-rectional Viewing LCD (formerly called the two-way viewing-angle LCD) and the Triple Directional Viewing LCD. Sharp will continue to develop highly reliable, advanced displays by integrating technologies based on long experience in developing a wide range of LCD application products

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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Ralf Schäfer
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