April 2007

news archive

Avago Technologies Introduces Industry's First High-Brightness Tri-Color Surface Mount LEDs for Indoor and Outdoor Color Signs

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Avago Technologies, a supplier of semiconductor solutions for advanced communications, industrial and commercial applications, has announced a new series of high-brightness surface mount (SMT) tri-color light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that the company claims will enable designers to develop large indoor and outdoor electronic displays that provide sharper and more vivid images and graphics. This new series of high-brightness RGB LEDs is available in standard PLCC-4 packaging and has been specifically designed to operate in extreme outdoor conditions, Avago said.

Avago's new ASMT-QTB2 series of high-brightness AllnGaP and InGaN tri-color LEDs, which are made from an enhanced silicone resin material, provide high reliability, long life and significantly less color degradation over time, according to the company. Moreover, the ASMT-QTB2 series offers a super-wide viewing angle of 120° to improve visibility of large outdoor displays in bright sunlight. Typical applications for Avago's new high-brightness ASMT-QTB2 RGB LEDs include stadium scoreboards, billboards, marquee signs, and electronic variable messages signs.

In addition to the high brightness, long life and compact size, Avago says its ASMT-QTB2 SMT LEDs provide two significant advantages in the production environment: They can be easily soldered using conventional surface mount techniques to minimize production costs, and the package is qualified to a Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) moisture-sensitive level (MSL) rating of 2a. For manufacturers, this rating means that these LEDs can be kept in the open air (30° C, 60% relative humidity) for up to four weeks after being removed from their sealed package without the need to remove absorbed moisture.

The InGaN and AllnGaP technology incorporated in Avago's ASMT-QTB2 LED package offers low thermal resistance, which allows more efficient heat transfer from the package to the motherboard thereby maintaining long-term device reliability. Moreover, it is compatible with standard surface mount technology reflow soldering processes. With a robust MSL 2a moisture sensitivity rating, customers will have greater flexibility during assembly of their products.

Toshiba Rolls Out New LED-Backlit LCD Panels for Notebook PCs

TOKYO and IRVINE, Calif. - Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co. Ltd. (TMD) and its American branch Toshiba America Electronic Components Inc. (TAEC) have released two new 10.4- and 10.6-in. liquid-crystal display (LCD) panels for notebook computers driven by light-emitting diode (LED) backlights. The new panels will expand Toshiba's line of low-power-consumption, thin-profile, lightweight LCD panels for mobile computer applications, which ranges in screen sizes from 8.9 - 13.3 inches.

TMD has been expanding its lineup of LED-backlit LCD products for notebook applications, combined with proprietary low-temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) technology, beginning with the world's first commercialization of an LED-backlit 11.1-in. WXGA+ resolution LCD panel for notebook PCs in October 2005.

Compared with a conventional cold-cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlighting system LED backlighting provides advantages such as reduced panel thickness and weight, increased brightness, and decreased power consumption. Toshiba's new line of panels is mercury free and RoHS (restriction of hazardous substances) compatible, the company said in a statement. It also features lower operating voltages and increased durability against impacts and vibration.

In its line of LED-backlit LCDs for notebook computer applications, TMD said it has also adopted thinner glass substrates of 0.3mm or less, reduced the number of component parts to the minimum requirement and optimized layout design for weight reduction. These improvements have helped to reduce overall module thickness to only 2.5mm for several of TMD's notebook PC LCD products, the company said. In addition to the successful reduction of weight and thickness, TMD has also achieved a high brightness level of up to 300 candelas per sq. meter (cd/m2) in certain products in this family.

Samsung's Unveils High-Resolution LCD Mobile Display That Automatically Adjusts Brightness

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., announced on Mar. 27 at its fourth annual Samsung Mobile Solution Forum in Taipei that it has developed a 2.1-in. liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel for high-end mobile devices that will provide qVGA resolution and comes equipped with sensors designed to adjust brightness to optimize ambient lighting. Screen brightness is automatically adjusted to enhance readability under any lighting condition.

Designed for use in high-end mobile phones, PDAs and portable media players, the new panel also has a temperature-compensation sensor embedded in its LCD driver IC that maintains a steady operational mode regardless of any temperature change in the surrounding environment.

According to the company, its new panel consumes 20-30% less electric power than other displays with the same size and resolution.

To enable extremely slim mobile designs, the new LCD mobile display makes use of a proprietary technology called Adaptive Brightness Control (ABC) that is designed with an ultra-slim black matrix embedded within the display's structure that measures no more than a single millimeter. The ABC is part of a unique, cost-saving architecture that consists of tiny, highly responsive circuit sensors built into the display panel, which eliminates the need for photo-sensors and complex signal processing circuits.

The signal processing function within the display driver IC converts ambient light measurements from the sensors into pulse-width modulation signals. Those PWM signals then automatically signal the LED controller in the LCD backlight unit to adjust the screen brightness to provide optimal readability as outside lighting conditions change.

Samsung's LCD Business is planning to produce the new 2.1" qVGA LCD with ABC capability in the second half of this year.

Planar Announces New 57-inch Direct-View LCD Display Designed for Demanding Digital Signage Applications

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Planar Systems Inc., a leader in specialty display solutions, has launched its new m57L, a large-format direct view liquid-crystal (LC) display for use in the commercial digital signage market. The m57L extends Planar's line of commercial-grade LCD displays, which includes the 40-in. Bobcat X and the 46-in. Bay Cat X. The m57L further supports Planar's corporate strategy to provide best-in-class solutions for new and existing vertical market opportunities that demand differentiated display products.

Incorporating the latest-generation LCD panel, the 57-inch m57L is a direct-view professional-grade display, engineered for commercial applications that demand the highest levels of performance and reliability such as control rooms, public information display and corporate boardrooms. While similar to commercial 60-inch plasma monitors in diagonal size and form factor, the m57L also delivers ultra-high resolution (1920 x 1080) and incorporates other features, such as resistance to image quality degradation, higher brightness and broad source compatibility, which add to its advantages over plasma displays that serve these custom markets, Planar said.

"The large screen area, brightness and resolution of the m57L combine to make a striking visual impact," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar's Control Room & Signage Business Unit, formerly Clarity Visual Systems. "Our customers count on our professional-grade displays for demanding commercial applications and the m57L provides a compelling offering where a larger display is required."

The combination of high-performing components and a rugged enclosure help make the m57L LCD display more resistant to Temporary Image Retention (TIR) issues or other long-term image degradation effects found in comparable displays in the marketplace, according to the company. The panel is also designed to perform equally well in either landscape or portrait orientations.

Planar's m57L meets the specific needs of many broadcast applications with features such as a Serial Digital Input (SDI) that is capable of accepting standard definition and high-definition SDI resolutions. The 1080p native resolution enables the multiple window display to create an active image area approximately equal to seventeen 14-inch CRT monitors, a common configuration in broadcast control rooms. The broadcast-friendly m57L is also preconfigured with presets for common color temperatures.

The large screen size, high resolution and multi-source compatibility, make the m57L suitable for boardrooms and other corporate presentation environments as well as digital signage applications.