Quarter-VGA TFT ousts STNs from handheld equipment

The latest 3.9in quarter-VGA (230 x 240pixel) colour TFT module from Trident Displays is designed for handheld applications.

The latest 3.9in quarter-VGA (230 x 240pixel) colour TFT module from Trident Displays is designed for handheld applications.

The display is reflective with front lighting so it works well outdoors and consumes very little power - ideal for battery-powered use.

Designers of handheld devices have many criteria to satisfy, especially if the end device is to be used at sea.

Their products must be lightweight, consume as little power as possible, be easy and intuitive to operate and, of course, be legible in the full range of lighting conditions from midnight to bright sunlight.

This new TFT LCD has been developed precisely to match these criteria, originally developed for use in the IPAC II hand-held computer.

It's a front-lit reflective display which means that in sunlight the display makes full use of available light.

Viewing at night is accomplished with a highly efficient cold-cathode-tube assembly.

Power consumption is very low for a TFT - around 160mA at 5V with the backlight on.

The display comes with a four-wire resistive touchscreen already bonded to the front, enabling touch or stylus operated user input.

This also allows a good seal to be achieved, keeping moisture out of the housing.

Although the cost of this display is very low (below GBP 90 in volume) it is important to note that this is a TFT display, not STN.

The low power usage and keen price makes this module ideal for mass-volume cost-engineered products that need differentiation in their marketplaces.

The contrast, legibility and appearance of any end product using a TFT will always be better than a similar one using an STN display.

Applications that are already using this kind of low power colour display include portable surveying equipment, GPS receivers and data loggers.

A kit with interface and inverter is available to support the module from Trident Displays.

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