glossary

RS232 (Recommended Standard 232) is a serial communication standard originally developed for connecting computers and peripherals. It defines voltage levels, signal timing, and pin configurations for data exchange over serial ports. RS232 in LCD Technology When applied to LCDs, RS232 serves as a communication interface that allows a host device (like a PC, microcontroller, or […]

SPI stands for Serial Peripheral Interface. SPI is a simple serial bus that is often used by LCD or OLED controllers. SPI as implemented for OLED and LCD controllers typically uses a “3-wire SPI” or “4-wire SPI” scheme. Detailed Definition SPI was originally championed by Motorola (now Freescale). In its original “pure” form SPI uses

STN stands for Super-Twisted Nematic. STN is the commonly used LCD material in passive character and graphic LCDs. Editor

A sunlight readable display can be read in direct sunlight. Often the term “sunlight readable” is used in reference to a TFT display having a super-bright backlight that overpowers the light of the sun to be visible. This typically occurs around 800 nits. However, other display technologies achieve sunlight readable status without trying to overpower

TAB stands for tape automated bonding. Some of Crystalfontz’s displays use a TAB style tail  that should be soldered directly to corresponding pads on a PCB using a hot-bar soldering machine. High volume contract manufacturers will be familiar with this type of construction and its assembly methods. Hot-bar soldering machines designed for prototype, rework or repair

TFT stands for Thin Film Transistor. TFTs are also known as “Active Matrix TFT LCD modules” and have an array of these thin film transistors fabricated on the glass that makes the LCD. There is one of these transistors for each pixel on the LCD. For a typical small color TFT LCD with a resolution

TRANSFLECTIVE is a portmanteau of TRANSmissive and reFLECTIVE. A transflective LCD combines the best features of a reflective LCDs and transmissive LCDs.   A transflective LCD will reflect ambient light, allowing it to be visible in normal office light without using a backlight. In bright sunlight, a transflective LCD is still visible and does not

A transmissive LCD depends on light from its backlight being transmitted through the LCD to your eyes. Transmissive LCDs are always combined with a backlight. Transmissive LCDs can be seen easily in normal office lighting, and in darkness. Typically transmissive LCDs will not be visible in bright sunlight. It is possible to make a sunlight

ZIF is short for Zero Insertion Force and refers to a type of connector. This kind of connector is intended to be used with FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) or FFC (Flat Flexible Cable). Many of our display have “ZIF tails” that easily mate with a ZIF connector. ZIF tails are beneficial over solder down tails