Features and Benefits..........................................................................................................................................2
Installation and Handling........................................................................................................................................3
Control Basics .........................................................................................................................................................5
Video Input Signals..........................................................................................................................................7
Safety and EMI......................................................................................................................................................11
Description of Warranty ........................................................................................................................................13
Support and Service................................................................................................................................................14
Figure 2. Video Input Timing Diagram..........................................................................................................7
Figure 3. Setup and Hold Timing Diagram. .................................................................................................8
Figure 4. Data Format.......................................................................................................................................... 9
Table 4. Video Input Timing...............................................................................................................................8
Table 5. Video Input Timing...............................................................................................................................8
Table 8. Weight and Dimensions ...................................................................................................................12
EL640.480-AF1 VGA Display
This manual describes the Planar ICEBrite EL640.480-AF1 display. This 6.4"
diagonal VGA product offers designers an affordable and easily implemented
path to dramatic visual improvements over passive LCDs.
Utilizing Planar’s proprietary ICEBrite (Integrated Contrast and Brightness
Enhancement) technology, this display excels in ambient light environments
ranging from dark to nearly sunlight-bright. This technology achieves very
high contrast and exceptionally clear images. This display utilizes a common 8bit FPD-type interface compatible with most LCD video controller chips,
making it easy to integrate and to replace existing LCD displays.
Through simple design and advanced manufacturing technologies, Planar’s
new VGA display family brings the visual performance and image quality of EL
into cost-sensitive applications that have up to now been limited by the
performance of LCD displays.
Features and Benefits
• Excellent visual performance:
High brightness and contrast
Wide viewing angle
Options
• Significant reduction in cost over previous EL technology
• Reliable, long operating life
• Extremely rugged and durable
• Low EMI emissions
• Rapid display response
• Low power design
Anti-glare and conformal coating options are available on this display.
The anti-glare option adds an anti-glare film to the front of the display to
reduce specular reflections (see Application Note 135 for more information).
The conformal coating option adds a protective layer to the display for
applications in which the display may be subjected to high humidity, dust, or
salt mist (see Application Note 122 for more information).
The mechanical package consists of the display panel and electronic circuit
board adhesively bonded together and mounted in a plastic bezel. The bezel
supplies the mounting ears and protects otherwise exposed leads. The display
is made of glass material and must be handled with care.
CAUTION: The display uses CMOS and power MOSFET devices. These
components are electrostatic sensitive. Unpack, assemble, and examine this
assembly in a static-controlled area only. When shipping, use packing
materials designed for protection of electrostatic-sensitive components.
Do not drop, bend or flex the display. Do not allow objects to strike the surface
of the display
Mounting
The AF1 display was designed to facilitate the mounting of optical treatments
and touch screens on the viewing side of the display. To this end, the glass
extends in front of the mounting bezel by approximately 0.5 mm (0.02") It is
imperative that any mounting scheme apply uniform pressure across the glass
at all times. Pressure applied only to the corners or edge of the glass is likely to
cause breakage.
Mounting should be done using the mounting ears only. Use either metric M3
screws tightened to 350 Ncm maximum, or unified #4 screws tightened to 4.7
in/lb maximum.
CAUTION: Properly mounted, this display can withstand high shock loads
and severe vibration in aggressive environments. However, the glass panel
used in this display will break when subjected to bending stresses, high
impact, or excessive loads.
To prevent injury in the event of glass breakage, a protective overlay should
be used on the viewer side of the display.
WARNING: These products generate voltages capable of causing personal
injury (high voltage up to 230 Vac ). Do not touch the display electronics
during operation.
As with any glass or coated surface, care should be taken to minimize
scratching. Clean the display glass with mild, water-based detergents only.
Apply the cleaner sparingly to a soft cloth, then wipe the display. Disposable
cleaning cloths are recommended to minimize the risk of inadvertently
scratching the display with particles embedded in a re-used cloth.
The TAB (tape-automated bonding) leads between the electronics and the
display glass are very sensitive to handling. When cleaning the edges of the
display glass, special care should be taken not to damage the leads.
Cable Length
Do not exceed the maximum cable length of 600 mm (24 in.). Longer cables
may cause data transfer problems between the data transmitted and the
display input connector. Excessive cable lengths can pick up unwanted EMI.
There are third party products which allow this maximum cable length to be
exceeded. Contact Planar Application Engineering for more information.
Avoiding Burn-In
As with other light emitting displays, displaying fixed patterns on the screen
can cause burn-in, where luminance variations can be noticed. Use a screen
saver or image inversion to avoid causing burn-in on the display.
The EL panel is a matrix structure with column and row electrodes arranged in
an X-Y formation. Light is emitted when an AC voltage of sufficient amplitude
is applied at a row-column intersection. The display operation is based on the
symmetric, line at a time data addressing scheme. Required operating voltages
are provided by an integrated DC/DC converter.
Unless otherwise specified, performance characteristics are guaranteed when
measured at 25°C.
Power
The supply voltages are shown in Table 1. All internal high voltages are
generated from the display supply voltage (V
should be present whenever video input signals or V
minimum and maximum specifications in this manual should be met, without
exception, to ensure the long-term reliability of the display. Planar does not
recommend operation of the display outside these specifications.
Table 1. DC Input Voltage Requirements.
). The logic supply voltage (VL)
H
is applied. The
H
AF1 Notes
VL
VH
IL, max 75 mA @ VL = +5 V
IH, max .7 A @ VH = +12 V
Ptyp, 120 Hz 4.5 W 3840 'E' characters
Pmax, 120 Hz 8.4 W 50/50 2x2 checkerboard
CAUTION: Absolute maximum ratings are those values beyond which
damage to the device may occur.
Table 2. Video Input Requirements.
Description Min Max Units Notes
Video logic high voltage 3.9 5.0 V All input thresholds are CMOS
Video logic low voltage 0 0.9 V
Video logic input current –
CAUTION: There is no overcurrent protection on either the VH or VL inputs
to protect against catastrophic faults. Planar recommends the use of a series
fuse on the 12 volt supply. A general guideline is to rate the fuse at 1.8 to 2
times the display maximum current rating.
The display has a single connector, J1 20-pin, 2mm pitch (Figure 1).
J1 Data/Power Connector
2
Pin 1
Key
20
1
19
Key
Figure 1. J1 Connector Pinouts.
The display uses the Samtec STMM-110-01-T-D or equivalent connector
matching the pinouts in Table 3. The mating connector is in the Samtec TCSD
family of cable strips. The proper connector, user-specified cable length, and
connector configuration are supplied as a single unit from Samtec. Consult
your Samtec representative (1 800-SAMTEC9) for the cable/connector options.
Table 3. J1 Connector Pinouts.
Pin Signal Description Pin Signal Description
1 UD1 Video data (upper) 2 UD0 Video data (upper)
3 UD3 Video data (upper) 4 UD2 Video data (upper)
This dual scan LCD-type video interface provides a low cost, flexible method
for controlling display brightness and power consumption. Many off-the-shelf
chipsets are available for interfacing to flat panel displays. If your application
does not require chip-level integration, there are many vendors that can
supply board-level solutions for serial control, PC104, ISA, and many other
interfaces.
Planar Application Note 116 summarizes some of the interfacing options that
have been used in the past with EL VGA displays.
Video Input Signals
The end of the top line of a frame is marked by S, scan start up signal as shown
in Figure 2. The end of each row of data is marked by CP1 as shown in Figure 2
and Figure 3.
Input signals UD0 through UD3 contain the video data for the upper screen
and signals LD0 through LD3 contain the data for the lower screen. For
example, four pixels (UD3—UD0) are sent to row 1 at the same time as four
pixels (LD0—LD3) are sent to row 241. This results in eight pixels sent on each
cycle of video clock CP2. Pixel information is supplied from left to right and
from top to bottom. Video data for one row is latched on the fall of CP1 (Figure
The display incorporates a self-test mode composed of a 1x2 checkerboard
pattern that inverts every few seconds. The self-test mode is entered by
applying power to the display with the S signal static. The display remains in
this mode until two (2) low-to-high transitions of the S signal are detected. The
display then enters and remains in normal (user video driven) operation as
long as power is applied. To enter self-test mode again, the display must be
reset by cycling the V
All pixels fully lit 35% Maximum difference two of five points,
Luminance Variation (Temperature)
Maximum 15% Across operating temperature range
40.0 cd/m²
65.0 cd/m²
0.2 cd/m²
Screen center, 120 Hz frame rate
Screen center, 120 Hz frame rate
Center and four corners
using the formula:
LNU%=[1- (min_lum/max_lum)] x 100%
Luminance Variation (Time)
Maximum 20%
Viewing Angle
Minimum
Contrast Ratio
Minimum
Typical
Dimming
The scan rate dimming feature allows the brightness of the display to be
lowered proportionally by reducing the scan rate. Scan rate dimming is
performed within the application by lowering the scan rate of the video input
signals. Because brightness is proportional to refresh rate, the display can be
dimmed by adding pauses between every horizontal period.
The lowest possible frame rate (brightness) is dependent on the perceived flicker
of the displayed image, but will most likely be around 60 Hz. For more information
on scan/frame rate dimming please see Planar Application Note 120.
Generating Grayscales
Some applications may benefit by using grayscales. The AF1 has a maximum
frame rate frequency of 120 Hz. Using the higher frame rate, combined with
flat panel controllers designed for this faster display, it is possible to generate
usable grays through frame rate control and dithering. Video controllers from
manufacturers such as C&T and Epson use these methods with proprietary
algorithms to generate grayscales.
160°
19:1
50:1
10,000 hours at 25°C ambient
@ 500 lux ambient, 120 Hz frame rate
The response time of ICEBrite displays is much faster than LCDs, therefore not
all possible grayscales generated by the video controller are actually usable.
Many of the grayscales may flicker or swim. Careful testing is necessary to
select appropriate grayscales for an application, especially when the ICEBrite
displays are driven at less than their maximum frame rate.
For additional information, refer to Planar Application Note 119 or contact
Planar's Application Engineers.
The MTBF (mean time between failure) is a minimum of 50,000 hours at 25°C
ambient, except for performance characteristics with an otherwise specified
life expectancy.
Safety and EMI
The display will not inhibit the end product from obtaining these certifications:
Safety UL544, IEC950
EMI FCC Part 15/J, Class B
Environmental
Table 7. Environmental Characteristics.
Temperature
Operating
Non-Operating
Operating Survival
EN55022 Level B
-5 to +55°C
-40 to +75°C
-20 to +65°C
Humidity
Non-condensing 93% RH max, @ 40°C per IEC 68-2-3.
Altitude
Operating
Non-Operating
Vibration
Random 0.05 g²/Hz ASD level, 20-500 Hz per
Shock
Half sine wave 100 g, 4 ms 18 (3 each, 6 surfaces) per
Weight (maximum) 300 g
Display Size 182.3 x 128.6 (W x H)
Display Depth 20.0
Active Area 129.3 x 97.0 (W x H)
Fill Factor 58%
Pixel Pitch .202 x .202 (W x H)
Pixel Size .154 x .154 (W x H)
All dimensions (except weight) are in mm.
Component Envelope
Figures 5 illustrates the distance components extend behind the display. Tall
components do not necessarily fill this area. Planar reserves the right to
relocate components
without prior customer notification. For this reason, Planar advises users to
design enclosure components to be outside the component envelope.
within the constraints of the component’s envelope
Dimensions in are millimeters; inches in brackets.
Tolerances unless otherwise stated,
Connector is shown from the back side.
Seller warrants that the Goods will conform to published specifications and be free from defects in
material for 12 months from delivery. To the extent that Goods incorporate third-party-owned
software, Seller shall pass on Seller's licensor's warranty to Buyer subject to the terms and conditions
of Seller's license.
Warranty repairs shall be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period. Buyer shall
report defect claims in writing to Seller immediately upon discovery, and in any event, within the
warranty period. Buyer must return Goods to Seller within 30 days of Seller’s receipt of a warranty
claim notice and only after receiving Seller’s Return Goods Authorization. Seller shall, at its sole
option, repair or replace the Goods.
If Goods were repaired, altered or modified by persons other than Seller, this warranty is void.
Conditions resulting from normal wear and tear and Buyer's failure to properly store, install, operate,
handle or maintain the Goods are not within this warranty. Repair or replacement of Goods is
Seller’s sole obligation and Buyer's exclusive remedy for all claims of defects. If that remedy is
adjudicated insufficient, Seller shall refund Buyer's paid price for the Goods and have no other
liability to Buyer.
All warranty repairs must be performed at Seller’s authorized service center using parts approved by
Seller. Buyer shall pay costs of sending Goods to Seller on a warranty claim and Seller shall pay costs
of returning Goods to Buyer. The turnaround time on repairs will usually be 30 working days or less.
Seller accepts no added liability for additional days for repair or replacement.
If Seller offers technical support relating to the Goods, such support shall neither modify the
warranty nor create an obligation of Seller. Buyer is not relying on Seller’s skill or judgment to select
Goods for Buyer’s purposes. Seller’s software, if included with Goods, is sold as is, and this warranty
is inapplicable to such software.
SELLER DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
EL640.480-AF1 AG 996-0270-01 EL640.480-AF1 with anti-glare coating
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Planar Systems continues to provide optional, and in many cases custom, features to address
the specific customer requirements. Consult Planar Sales for pricing, lead time and minimum
quantity requirements.
Planar Systems, Inc. is a US company based in Beaverton, Oregon and Espoo, Finland, with a worldwide sales distribution network. Full application engineering support and service are available to
make the integration of Planar displays as simple and quick as possible for our customers.
RMA Procedure: For a
with the model number(s) and serial number(s). When returning goods for repair, please include a
brief description of the problem, and mark the outside of the shipping container with the RMA
number.