Drivers enable next-generation passenger displays

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Apr 28, 2005

Next generation passenger information displays from Vossloh IT use electronic ink display driver technology combined with advanced electronic ink display technology from E Ink Corp.

Next generation passenger information displays from Vossloh IT use Ixys Micronix Division electronic ink display driver technology combined with advanced electronic ink display technology from E Ink Corp.

Electronic paper displays are an important innovation for rail transport, local public transport and air traffic due to their excellent readability over a wide range of lighting conditions and extremely low power consumption.

Furthermore, they can be easily integrated into existing and new passenger information systems given their thin profile and light weight.

"It is not only important to have a new display technology; similarly it is to have the fitting driver technology".

"Having a driver from Micronix designed and optimised for the E Ink's electronic ink technology, greatly reduces the development time and costs for Vossloh's electronic paper display panels".

"This is a significant factor in regard to a faster time to market", according to Vossloh IT.

The cascadable MX834 electronic ink display driver features a selectable and flexible serial-input, parallel-output digital shift register, and converts digital bits into high voltage positive or negative analogue output voltages.

"We designed our MX834 so that it is suitable to drive both segmented and active matrix displays utilising E Ink's electronic ink technology", says to Robert DeCaro, General Manager, Micronix.

"Vossloh's application proves our belief that the MX834 is a viable and versatile low cost market enabler for electronic paper displays, whether they are used for public information signs or electronic books".

Manufactured in a high voltage CMOS process, the 268-output MX834 is available in gold-bumped-die, 48mm super-wide tape carrier, and 352-pin BGA form.

A prototype of the Vossloh IT passenger information display was recently exhibited at InnoTrans 2004 in Berlin, where Vossloh IT presented the current status of this technology.

Similar prototype modules are currently being tested under real operational conditions in Germany, and large-scale production by Vossloh IT is scheduled to begin in April of 2005.