New Memory LCD’s from Sharp
Integrated image memory means Sharp’s latest Memory LCDs need less than one percent of the power required by conventional TFT LCD
Following its appointment as Sharp Micro Electronics’ pan-European sales and marketing representative Ismosys has released detailsofthe latest additions to Sharp’s extensive portfolio of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with integrated memory.
4.4” diagonal
Bridging the gap between the 2.94” and 6.02” diagonals the new 4.4” diagonal (11.09 cm) LS044Q7DH01 Memory LCD features a QVGA resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, 17.5% reflectivity and a viewing angle of 120° in all directions ensuring good readability, even in very low ambient lighting. The LS044Q7DH01 is equipped with a transmissive portion of 0.25%, enabling backlighting, to be added for applications that need to be used in the dark. Like all Sharp Memory LCDs, the LS044Q7DH01 is an ultra-low power displays, requiring an input (without backlight) of just 0.25 mW with static images and 0.65 mW with a frame rate of 1Hz.
1.17” and 1.28” diagonal
At the lower end of its Memory LCD range Sharp has added the LS012B4DG01 (1.17” diagonal) and LS013B7DH03 (1.28” diagonal). The LS012B4DG01 has a length of 35.1 x 11.0 millimetres, a resolution of 184 x 38 pixels and operates in the -10°C and +70°C temperature range, making it ideal for use as a function and control display in battery-operated tools. The relatively long (approx.52 mm) ribbon cable of approx. 52 mm facilitates flexible positioning in the housings of cordless screwdrivers, drills etc.
Despite its compact size of 26.6mm x 30.3 x 0.75mm the 1.28” diagonal LS013B7DH03 offers a relatively high resolution of 128 x 128 pixels with a transmissivity of 0.25%, enabling its use with an optional backlight.
According to Ismosys’ MD Nigel Watts, the new Sharp Memory LCDs require only 0.8 percent of the power needed by conventional displays of the same size: “Because each pixel has a 1-bit memory that stores the image data loaded on the screen image, information only needs to be rewritten in the pixels effected by a change of content when compared to the previous screen frame”, Watts said. “In conventional transmissive LC displays, microcontrollers have to rewrite the entire screen content from frame to frame at a speed of 50 to 60 Hz, even if the majority of image content remains the same, and the backlight accounts for a good percentage of the power consumed. As reflective displays, Sharp Memory LCDs require no routine backlighting.”
The new Memory LCDs primarily target small, portable applications such as test & measuring devices, industrial hand-held equipment, watches, electronic shelf labelling systems, pulse monitors and other fitness devices, electronic shelf labelling systems, where small solar cells are easily able to provide sufficient power to operate the entire application. Sharp also offers Memory LCDs in 3-volt versions for operation with conventional lithium-ion batteries without the need a charge pump.
Availability
TheLS012B4DG01 and LS013B7DH03 are already in series production. Samples of the 4.4 inch LS044Q7DH01are scheduled to become available before the end of2001 with series production scheduled to begin in Q2 ‘12. The three new Memory LCDs add to Sharp’s portfolio of ultra-low power displays, which now runs to thirteen different models spanning diagonals of 1.17” (2.97 cm) to 6.02” (15.3 cm). Click here and use the Ismosys enquiry service to request the sample and pricing information you need .
