Hantronix, Inc.

TFT LCD Modules
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FAQ on TFT

VISUAL | ELECTRICAL | SOFTWARE | SPECIFICATION | GENERAL
 

VISUAL

Q:  Are Hantronix LCDs sunlight readable?
A:  Yes, Hantronix high bright, high contrast TFT’s are sunlight readable.

 
Q:  Is the response time of Hantronix TFT’s adequate for moving pictures?
A:  Yes our TFT’s typical response time is 25 to 50ms.

 
Q:  Why can I see the picture elements in my LCD more clearly than on my CRT?
A:  The active area of an LCD has an etched boundary. Where the CRT electron beams shows more gradual edges.
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ELECTRICAL

Q:  Will Hantronix TFT LCD modules operate at 5V?
A:  Yes, some of our TFTs operate at 5V. Please refer to the model specification for details for power requirements.

 
Q:  Does Hantronix TFT LCDs have reverse scan functions?
A:  Yes some of our TFTs do have reverse scan functions. Please refer to the model specification for details on scan functions.

 
Q:  Can I control the backlight brightness?
A:  CCFL frame rate can be modulated for a smaller percentage of time at full voltage.
This may cause some noise but you can have limited control of the CCFL. However LED backlight brightness is easier to control. It can be achieved by regulating the backlight DC- current, PWM control, or implementing special LED drivers (IC).

 
Q:  How can I drive 6 bits of color from a controller that outputs 8 bits of color?
A:  Converting to six bits from eight bits selection requires using the most significant bits and discarding the least significant as seen below.
Six bit signal    
Eight bit signal
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0
1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
MSB             LSB

Most LCDs have a digital-to-analog converter built-in that takes the digital data and translates it to the analog signal that is sent to the display. The data comes in on a 8-bit or 6-bit data format. All 0’s equate to black and all 1’s equate to white. If you have a controller that can output 8 data bits, but a display that can only accept 6, you simply drop the low-order bits and adjust the least significant bit.

 
Q:  How can I reduce the LCD signal noise?
A:  Noise on an LCD signal can be reduced with a termination resistor and capacitor that can be tuned to the cable characteristics. This will allow you to soften the edges and reduce the noise. If the screen tears sideways, there is generally a problem with noise on the horizontal sync signal causing irregular resets to the left-hand side of the screen. If you see a vertical rolling effect, it is generally noise on the vertical sync line or a missing sync signal.

 
Q:  Is power sequencing important?
A:  You must turn on the Vcc supply voltage, then within 10-20 milliseconds apply all of the data signals including the data bits, sync signals and clocks. If you apply the data signals before you apply power, you get into a latch-up condition. The LCD looks like a CMOS device that can draw high current if a signal is before Vcc is turned on. This makes the potential of a high current path to ground from the signal lines if Vcc is not applied before the data signals.
Secondly, the display needs an AC signal to function properly. If only a DC signal is applied, damage can occur. Generally the damage occurs slowly and is a function of duration, temperature and other conditions, but the effect is cumulative and failures will eventually occur. You can also have a latch-up problem if you wait too long to apply the Sync signals.
Some displays have a built-in voltage doubler. If you don't apply the clocks quickly enough, you can create another latch-up condition in the display. A power sequencing latch-up problem almost always shows up as an all white or all black display. Then, if you turn it off and back on it may start working. Latch-up conditions are almost always recoverable. The only time when permanent damage occurs is when excessive power flows through driver’s ESD diodes.

 
Q:  How can I reduce EMI noise on my display and interface to ensure passing UL Certification requirements?
A:  The source of most noise radiation from the display comes from the synchronization clock that runs at very high speeds. On a VGA display it runs at 25 MHz. The use of small R-C circuits or inductance on the data clock can soften the edges and lower the radiation. Shielding of the connection cable is another method to reduce noise, but it tends to be more expensive. Another technique for larger displays is to use LVDS transmission systems where the TTL signals are transmitted as low voltage differential signals. This is the technique used currently in most laptops.
It is also important to ground the display frame to a good AC signal ground. This helps contain the noise generated by the display as well as to become a shield for noise generated by electronics close to the display.
 
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SOFTWARE

Q:  Are initialization codes available for Hantronix LCD displays?
A:  The initialization codes can be found in the LCD specification, and or in the controller specification.
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SPECIFICATION

Q:  What is the lifetime spec for a Hantronix LCD backlight?
A:  The lifetime (50% of original backlight brightness) for White LED backlight is rated as high as 40K hours. The lifetime for CCFL backlight is rated as high as 40K hours. (Please reference individual specification for more details.)

Q:  What is the temperature range for a Hantronix TFT LCD display?
A: Operating Temperature: -20C to 70C
Storage Temperature: -30C to 80C
(Please reference individual specification for more details.)

Q:  What are the viewing angles for a Hantronix TFT LCD display?
A:  Hantronix TFT LCD displays have very wide view angles. Minimum horizontal view angles 50 degrees (L) / 50 degrees (R). Minimum vertical view angles 45 degrees (T) / 55 degrees (B). Please reference individual specification for more details.

 
Q:  Are shock and vibration data available for Hantronix LCD displays?
A:  Detailed shock and vibration reliability data is available in the individual specifications.
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GENERAL

Q:  Are Hantronix LCDs RoHS compliant?
A:  Yes, all Hantronix LCDs are RoHS compliant.

 
Q:  Are UL certifications available for Hantronix LCDs?
A:  The complete LCD display module does not require UL certification, however, certain components such as PCB and backlight wires are UL certified.

 
Q:  What is the difference between a Digital TFT and a Analog TFT?
A:  The difference is the interface signal. The digital TFT is designed to accept digital interface signals TTL / LVDS. The analog TFT is designed to accept analog RGB / NTSC / PAL interface signals.
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