Product-based Ferroelectric Liquid-Crystal Applications

Objective

The aim of this project is to provide three generic components, namely, a customised integrated circuit a touch input system and a Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Display (FLCD) which, when combined, will provide a FLCD subsystem i.e. a low cost, low power, module, for use in a series of information technology products. The rationale of the project is to use these products FLCDs to introduce into the commercial market place, thereby installing the infrastructure required for the future growth of this new flat panel technology. With this FLCDs in mind, the project will also seek to establish the capability for to provide analogue grey levels, because, without this capability, the use of these displays will be limited to non-video applications. Such a limitation will clearly limit the potential of this technology and, therefore, reduce the level of future investments.

In order to provide low cost, low power display modules, the project will utilise the two key advantages of ferroelectric technology, namely:

- memory: that is, the ability to retain an image with no power
- low voltage: unlike other passive LCD technology, the drive voltages required for FLCDs are independent of the number of rows.

Use of the memory capability will clearly reduce the power consumption of the display module, and hence greatly prolong battery life, while the use of low voltages will reduce both the size and cost of the integrated circuits used in the drive electronics. These two key advantages make the proposed display modules ideally suited for a wide range of new and emerging, portable, personal, IT products.

Analogue greyscale has not yet been successfully demonstrated in a (passive) FLCDs. This problem will be extensively studied through the investigation of several novel approaches to achieving analogue greyscale. In all cases it will be a prerequisite that any approach be able to provide a display at an acceptable cost.

The project will be exploited in the short term by using the low cost, low power, FLCD module in two, market-led products and by the manufacture of FLCDs for OEMs. In the medium term, the proposed generic display module will be employed in the growing number of portable IT products, while, in the long term, the provision of analogue greyscale will lead to the use of FLCDs in video products.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › materials engineering › liquid crystals

Programme(s)

• FP3-ESPRIT 3 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of information technologies, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

Data not available

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

Data not available

Coordinator

GEC-Marconi Materials Technology Ltd

Address

Elstree Way
WD6 1RX Borehamwood
United Kingdom

Participants (7)

CRYSTALOID EUROPE SA

Spain

Address

Principe De Vergara, 112
28002 Madrid

Consorzio Eagle

Italy

Address

Via Cavour 96
67051 Avezzano L'aquila

Eden Group Ltd

United Kingdom

Address

The Chapel Rainow
SK10 5XF Macclesfield

Institut für Mikroelektronik Stuttgart

Germany

Address

Allmandring 30a
70569 Stuttgart

Seleco SpA

Italy

Address

Viale Treviso 15
33170 Pordenone

UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID

Spain

Address

Ramino De Maeztu, 7
28040 Madrid

Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza'

Italy

Address

Via Eudossiana 18
00184 Roma