How does a TFT module operate? First, TFT stands for “Thin Film Transistor,” and it describes the control elements that actively control the pixels. Because of that, you hear a lot said about active matrix TFTs. How do the images get produced? It operates on a basic principle. You have the TFT LCD display, which has many pixels, and each pixel has the ability to reveal differing colors.



TFT displays also use a backlight that comprises fluorescent tubes to light a single pixel. When a small shutter gets opened, the light passes through. Of course, this technology is more detailed than what can fit in this article, but a simple explanation can give you an idea of how it works.


Just like LCD


Ever heard of an LCD monitor? LCD stands for a monitor technology based on liquid crystals that change in molecular structure as it is used. As a result of the liquid crystal changing their molecular structure, they allow for varying levels of light to pass through them, which is what gives the picture.


Explaining RGB


Every pixel on any screen is made up of three components: Red, green and blue. You might also sometimes see this stated as RGB, which means the same thing. Twisted Nematic TFTs are the most common device that employ this tech. Without voltage applied, the molecular structure will be in its natural state, but twisted by 90 degrees, which is why they call it a Twisted Nematic TFT. When the light gets emitted by the backlight, it passes through the structure. Once the voltage gets applied, it creates an electric field, and the voltage twists the liquid crystals so that they align vertically.


When it comes to the color filters of red, green and blue, each pixel will be made of the color cells. With a resolution of 1280×1024 pixels, you will have exactly 3840×1024 transistors. Pixels are decisive, and if you have a smaller spacing, it will give you the highest possible resolution, which means better picture quality. What happens if you have to switch to a lower resolution, which is often the case when playing video games? When that happens, the electronics scales the electronic size up to the maximum display panel size.


To learn more about TFT LCD display or TFT technology, get in touch with manufacturers such as Microtips Technology. So Contact Microtips Technology Representative today to find out which LCD module is best for your needs.


What is an OLED?


OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) is a flat light emitting technology, made by placing a series of organic thin films between two conductors. When electrical current is applied, a bright light is emitted. OLEDs are emissive displays that do not require a backlight and so are thinner and more efficient than LCD displays (which do require a white backlight).


OLED displays are not just thin and efficient - they provide the best image quality ever and they can also be made transparent, flexible, foldable and even rollable and stretchable in the future. OLEDs represent the future of display technology!


OLED vs LCD


An OLED display have the following advantages over an LCD display:


Improved image quality - better contrast, higher brightness, fuller viewing angle, a wider color range and much faster refresh rates.


Lower power consumption.


Simpler design that enables ultra-thin, flexible, foldable and transparent displays


Better durability - OLEDs are very durable and can operate in a broader temperature range


Surface Mount Adapter Boards


In electronics design, the worst assumption a designer can make is building a "foolproof" circuit that ends up not working. The process of troubleshooting can be a lot of trouble especially when you have no idea what the problem may be. There are wires everywhere, tiny pins to count, and many components to check and test. The last thing you want to do is bring out the iron and desolder any ICs.

That's where surface mount adapter boards come in very handy. With the majority of new ICs these days emerging on the market in only surface mount packages, being able to build new prototypes requires designers to use only SMD components or make use of specialty SMD protoboards. Instead of using the old, trusted and familiar DIP-friendly breadboard.

With the new Jameco ValuePro surface mount adapter boards, designers are able to make use of multiple surface mount packages with one single board, you will save money over using multiple adapter boards, save time by soldering less, and ease your troubleshooting headaches if you are soldering SMD ICs directly into your breadboard.


SOIC and TSSOP-packaged ICs can be great for finished products; they take up much less real estate and allow the end product to be more easily manageable from a size perspective. During the design phase, it's much more convenient to work with ICs without needing a magnifying glass. The SOIC/TSSOP-to-DIP adapter board has both footprints on either side of the board so that you can design with either package without needing to purchase another adapter board. It comes in 8, 16, and 28-pin footprints and can easily snap apart at your convenience.

For those who want to work with more than just SOIC and TSSOP packages, the multiple footprint adapter board can accommodate SOIC, SOT, TO, TSSOP, as well as various SMT passive component packages. Just solder on some headers and you're ready to go.


A better automotive display from pixel to picture with local dimming


Automotive specifications and environmental conditions have caused the automotive display market to lag behind the consumer display industry in contrast ratio, black levels, resolution, curvature and form factor. Automakers are trying to differentiate their infotainment human-machine interface (HMI) displays and catch up to the technological advances now common in smartphone, tablet and television displays.


LCDs now pervade many aspects of modern life and are becoming more prevalent in vehicles, replacing analog and hybrid gauge clusters and becoming standard in the center information display and passenger entertainment areas of the vehicle. However, these displays lack the image quality and contrast ratio that consumers experience with their personal electronics.


If you look at the personal electronics market, you might assume that emissive displays such as organic LEDs (OLEDs) or micro LEDs are the best way to achieve the ideal automotive display. But numerous design and fabrication challenges – including lifetime, cost and peak brightness concerns – have delayed the implementation of OLED displays in automotive systems.


How can automakers meet modern display expectations? A full-array, locally dimmed backlight architecture has the potential to improve the contrast ratio of LCDs to near-OLED levels, while consuming less power than traditional backlight methods.


Uses for Outdoor LCD Displays


For a long time now, LCD displays have become the screen of choice for home use. Most TVs are now LCD as are computer screens used in homes and offices, but indoor locations are nor the only area where LCD displays are being used. This article is about the rise of outdoor LCD displays, which are now cropping up in all sorts of outdoor locations.


For a long time now, LCD displays have become the screen of choice for home use. Most TVs are now LCD as are computer screens used in homes and offices, but indoor locations are nor the only area where LCD displays are being used. This article is about the rise of outdoor LCD displays, which are now cropping up in all sorts of outdoor locations.


LCD displays (liquid crystal displays) have several advantages over their CRT predecessors (cathode ray tube). Lighter, flatter and cheaper to buy, it is no wonder LCD displays are now the screen of choice for most homes and offices. Used as TVs and computer monitors, LCD displays take up less room than CRT monitors and are now ubiquitous.


Because of the light, flat design, LCD displays are seen outside the home too. Airports, shopping malls and other retail locations are now full of digital signage-LCDs displaying advertising and promotional content.


Digital signage is an effective method of advertising, able to reach large audiences by connecting with the commuters and shoppers around town. With moving imagery and HD technology, these screens provide a more noticeable form of out of home advertising than traditional static signs and posters.


While digital signage inside shopping malls and retail stores can reach large audiences, even greater numbers of people are available outside along high streets, which is why more and more digital signage displays are being erected in outdoor locations.


Using a standard LCD display outside is of course, not possible. Rain and other elements will soon disable a standard LCD, while the variable temperatures and risk of damage through vandalism means that any outdoor LCD display needs to be tough and contain sophisticated climate control systems to prevent the screen overheating or freezing.


Outdoor LCD displays need also to cope with sunlight. Because of the sun’s brightness and its ability to make a standard screen unreadable, an outdoor LCD display is often several times brighter than an indoor LCD. LCD brightness is measured in nits (a unit of luminance) and most indoor screens have nit value of around 400; outdoor displays on the other-hand have a nit value exceeding 1200, giving them the power to cope with even the brightest of sunshine.