Active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) technology for military and industrial applications that allows devices to operate at temperatures as low as -40C with nearly instant-on capability has been developed by Kopin Corp., Taunton MA, the largest US manufacturer of microdisplays for mobile consumer and military electronics.
This is achieved without the need for an external heater, significantly reducing display system power consumption, the firm says. The new displays combine two of Kopin’s patent-pending inventions:
*Low-voltage (LV) architecture reduces AMLCD video levels by 50%, substantially reducing power consumption of the display system.
*Vcom Thin Film technology incorporates integrated thin-film structures nested in the backplane, which serve as an active matrix element while simultaneously operating as an integral heating element.
This dual-purpose mode of operation is available on demand and allows the display to provide full-video-rate performance at temperatures down to -40C without the need for an external heater.
Intimate contact of the thin film with the liquid crystal material results in the ultra-high heating efficiency and cold-start operation within seconds, the manufacturer says.
“These latest inventions expand the position of Kopin’s technology as the microdisplay of choice for the US military,” Kopin President and CEO Dr. John C. C. Fan says. “Our design team was inspired by a challenge from one of our major Department of Defense (DOD) equipment suppliers to develop a display system capable of operating at extremely low temperatures with unsurpassed power efficiency.”
“Our innovative display solution not only meets the needs of their product, but will likely be adopted across a broad range of DOD applications,” he adds.
The technology will initially be available in monochrome and full-color VGA (640×480-pixel) displays. Performance characterization of VGA prototypes is now underway, with product qualification scheduled for later this year, Kopin says.
The firm anticipates making the technology available in its full line of military displays by the middle of 2007. Target product applications include thermal weapon sights and hand-held thermal imagers for military and law enforcement personnel.
“We expect Kopin’s latest AMLCDs to raise the bar significantly in terms of battery life and operational readiness for ultra-portable military systems,” Michael Presz, Kopin Vice President of Government Programs, says. “Our new displays will dramatically reduce the power requirements because of reduced video levels and ultra-efficient integral heating elements.”
“The net effect will be lighter weight systems and extended battery life,” he adds. “In addition, cold-start performance can be achieved within 10 seconds at a fraction of the power used in currently deployed systems.”
