30 Jul
Displays

Enhanced ESD Protection and EMI Shielding for Display Modules

Key Reasons for ESD Requirements for Displays Becoming Increasingly Common

  1. Electronic Components Are Becoming More Precise and Sensitive

    As technology advances, the internal components of displays—such as integrated circuits (ICs), driver chips, and touch panels (TP)—are becoming more miniaturized and low-power. This makes them less tolerant to electrostatic discharge (ESD), where even a small static charge can cause functional abnormalities, shorten the lifespan, or directly damage the components.

 

  1. Applications Are Becoming More Diverse and Complex

    Display usage has expanded beyond traditional indoor environments to more demanding settings, such as:

  • Industrial equipment: frequent friction and dust accumulation easily generate static electricity
  • Medical devices: require high reliability and safety
  • Automotive systems: enclosed environments easily lead to electrostatic induction
  • Outdoor terminals: dry climates increase the risk of static charge build-up

 

  1. Widespread Use of Touch Technology

    As touch displays become more common, users frequently interact directly with the screen. In dry environments or when wearing synthetic fabrics, it is easy to generate static electricity. Discharge directly onto the touch surface poses a greater risk to circuit integrity, so enhancing surface-level ESD protection is essential.

Our standard TFT displays typically meet the following ESD protection levels:

  • Air discharge: ±8KV
  • Contact discharge: ±4KV

These are in line with the specifications described in our datasheets and are essential for ensuring product reliability.

 

  1. With increasing application demands and evolving environmental challenges, higher Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection levels are often required for display modules

particularly in industrial, automotive, and outdoor settings. When customers request enhanced ESD performance, such as:

  • Air Discharge: ±15KV
  • Contact Discharge: ±8KV

 

Recommended Solution: Double-sided EMI Shielding

Component: FPC Shielding Layer
Structure: Double-sided EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) Shielding Film

Description:

To improve the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of the display module, we recommend the use of a Double-sided EMI shielding structure. This design involves applying EMI shielding materials to both the front and back sides of the display module.

 Key Functions:

  • Effectively suppresses internal and external electromagnetic interference
  • Enhances the stability and reliability of signal transmission
  • Helps meet higher ESD immunity levels as specified in IEC 61000-4-2 standards

 

 

 

Additional Recommendations

In addition to the EMI shielding layer, further system-level measures can be considered

  • Grounding design optimization between module and enclosure
  • Use of conductive foam or gasket around the module perimeter
  • Application of anti-static coatings or films on exposed surfaces

EMI shielding material is like an “umbrella” that blocks interference.
Grounding wire is like a “drainpipe” that channels interference away.

Only by combining both can we achieve a true “shielding + discharge” integrated protection.

Examples of Common Grounding Methods:

Application Area Grounding Method
LCM metal backplate Connected to the mainboard GND point
Touch FPC shielding layer Grounded via GND pin or metal frame
Conductive foam/tape Attached to grounding copper foil or metal housing
EMI shielding sticker Connected to grounding point on housing or bracket

 

Signal Ground vs. Chassis Ground

Although both are referred to as “ground,” Signal Ground and Chassis (Physical) Ground have different purposes and characteristics in electronics:

Signal Ground (Logic Ground)

Purpose: Serves as a voltage reference for signal transmission (typically 0V)

Location: Internal circuit ground used by ICs, resistors, capacitors, etc.

Characteristics:

    • Used in logic and analog circuits
    • Not necessarily connected to the earth
    • Typically found in low-noise, low-current environments

Example: The GND pin of an MCU or sensor

Chassis Ground / Earth Ground

Used once the display module is integrated into the full device

Purpose:

    • Discharge static electricity (ESD) to prevent component damage
    • Reduce EMI via housing-level shielding
    • Improve EMC performance through unified grounding

Example: Metal frame, conductive tape, or backlight housing grounded to the device chassis

 

Summary

To meet elevated ESD requirements (±15KV air / ±8KV contact), both EMI shielding and effective grounding are essential.
By combining signal-level reference grounding with chassis-level discharge pathways, and by incorporating double-sided EMI shielding, we can ensure robust protection, greater product reliability, and compliance with industrial EMC/ESD standards.

 

Does your project have special requirements for ESD protection? Feel free to contact our engineer at <tech@orientdisplay.com>—we’re always happy to help.

24 Jul
Displays

How to Estimate Battery Life for Your Device – Even with Sleep Modes

Whether you’re designing a sensor node, a wearable device, or a portable gadget, battery life estimation is a key part of the process. Here’s a simple way to calculate how long your battery will last — even if your device switches between active and sleep modes.

Basic Formula (For Constant Current)

If your device draws a constant current, battery life is easy to estimate:

Battery Life (hours) = Battery Capacity (mAh) / Device Current Consumption (mA)

Example:
– Battery: 2200 mAh
– Device current: 40 mA
Battery Life = 2200 / 40 = 55 hours

When Your Device Has Sleep and Active Modes

In most real-world applications, devices don’t run at full power 24/7. They might wake up briefly, do some work, then return to low-power sleep mode.

To account for this, you’ll need to calculate the average current draw across the full duty cycle (i.e., one full period of activity and sleep).

Step-by-Step Example

Let’s say your device:
– Draws 40 mA when active, and stays active for 2 seconds
– Draws 0.1 mA when sleeping, and sleeps for 8 seconds
– Total cycle = 10 seconds

Step 1: Compute Average Current
Average Current = ((40 * 2) + (0.1 * 8)) / 10 = (80 + 0.8) / 10 = 8.08 mA

Step 2: Estimate Battery Life
Using a 2200 mAh battery:
Battery Life = 2200 / 8.08 ≈ 272.3 hours

Real-World Considerations

While this gives a solid estimate, keep in mind:
– Battery capacity decreases with age and cold temperatures.
– Devices may consume extra current during startup, communication bursts, or sensor sampling.
– Battery cutoff voltage matters — some devices shut down before the battery is truly empty.

Final Tip

Use this method during your design phase to make informed decisions about battery size, duty cycles, and sleep strategies. Optimizing power usage can drastically extend your product’s life between charges.

If you’d like to make this easier, feel free to reach out — our engineers are happy to help.

 

21 Jul
Displays

Peck Model and Lifetime Evaluation: MTTF, MTBF, and Experimental Design

When evaluating the service life of a product, we often inform customers that the expected lifetime is 50,000 hours. However, this number is not derived from actual testing, but rather from theoretical calculations.

 

The method for measuring actual product lifespan is HALT (Highly Accelerated Life Test). HALT is a testing methodology that applies stress conditions far beyond normal usage—such as high/low temperatures, rapid thermal cycling, and vibration—to quickly expose potential weaknesses in a product. The primary purpose of HALT is not to determine the product’s exact lifespan, but to identify design flaws and early failure mechanisms, and to pinpoint which components are most susceptible to damage.

 

In practice, however, we more commonly use MTTF (Mean Time To Failure)-based evaluation strategies. MTTF is a quantitative reliability metric based on statistical lifetime distribution models (such as exponential or Weibull distributions). It estimates the average lifetime of a product by operating a set number of samples under standard or accelerated conditions, recording any failures over time.

 

The following table presents a real-world case we encountered. The accelerated aging model we used for analysis was the Peck model.

 

 

Introduction to the Peck Model

The Peck model is an empirical model used to predict the accelerated aging of electronic components and materials under the combined effects of temperature and humidity. Unlike the traditional Arrhenius model, which considers only temperature, the Peck model introduces a humidity exponent parameter, making it more suitable for simulating the impact of hot and humid environments on product lifetime. Its mathematical expression is:

Where:

  • AF is the acceleration factor,
  • RH is the relative humidity,
  • n is the humidity exponent (typically ranging from 2 to 4; we use 3),
  • E is the activation energy (commonly 0.7 eV for LCDs),
  • k is the Boltzmann constant,
  • T is the absolute temperature in Kelvin.

Using this model, the duration of an accelerated test can be converted into an equivalent lifetime under normal operating conditions.

For example, in our table, by substituting the following values:

RHtest​: test relative humidity (90%)

RHuse​: usage relative humidity (50%)

Ttest​=333.15K

Tuse=298.15K

Ea ​=0.7eV

k=8.617×10−5 eV/K

n=3

AF=102.7

Equivalent Operating Time T=240hrs*102.7=24,648hrs.

Next, we need to substitute T into the MTBF formula.

 

Definition and Difference Between MTTF and MTBF

Both MTTF and MTBF are used to describe product reliability, but they apply to slightly different scenarios.

MTTF (Mean Time To Failure) refers to the average time a device operates before its first failure. It is applicable to non-repairable systems and represents the statistical expected lifetime, reflecting the reliability level of a product.

MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is typically used for repairable systems, and indicates the average operating time between two consecutive failures. For non-repairable systems (such as LCDs in our testing, which cannot be repaired once damaged), MTBF can be approximated as MTTF.

 

The formula for MTBF is as follows:

To calculate reliability from MTBF, the formula is as follows:

Experimental Design

Test Objectives:

Achieve the required MTBF lower bound corresponding to a 10-year lifetime, with both 5-year and 10-year reliability exceeding 90% under known conditions.

Equivalent test time per unit: 24,648 hours (based on extrapolation from 240 hours at 60°C / 90% RH using the Peck model).

Confidence levels: Sample size calculations for 90%, 95%, and 99% confidence levels.

Sample Size Requirements (Based on MTBF Reliability Calculation):

Confidence Level Samples for 90% Reliability @ 5 Years Samples for 90% Reliability @ 10 Years
90% 39 78
95% 54 101
99% 83 156

Test Plan Details:

  • Sample Size: Select based on desired reliability and confidence level; it is recommended to include a margin for contingency.
  • Test Conditions: Continuous aging under 60°C / 90% RH for at least 240 hours (widely accepted industry standard).
  • Data Monitoring: All failure events and times must be recorded throughout the test. If any failures occur, recalculate and adjust the plan accordingly.
  • Periodic Assessment: After testing, use the Peck model to convert the test duration to equivalent lifetime. Evaluate MTBF and reliability using appropriate statistical methods.
  • Risk Management: In case of failures, analyze the failure modes, adjust materials or processes, and optimize the design as needed.

 

Expected Conclusion:

If 78 samples are tested under 60°C / 90% RH for 240 hours, and no failures occur, the equivalent 10-year reliability of the product can be estimated at 90% (i.e., only 10% of units are expected to fail), which meets the general standard for consumer electronics (typically 80–90% reliability).

In contrast, if only 5 samples are tested (as shown in the initial table), the 5-year reliability would be just 43.9%, meaning that nearly half the units are expected to fail within 5 years—a conclusion that is not favorable for presentation to customers.

 

Contact our engineering team: tech@orientdisplay.com

07 Jul
Displays

The Complete Guide to Display Coatings: How AG, AF, and AR Solutions Solve Critical Display Problems

Why Do Display Coating Problems Cost Businesses Money?

Every day, businesses lose productivity and customer satisfaction due to display readability issues. Outdoor kiosks become unreadable in sunlight. Medical equipment screens create dangerous glare for healthcare workers. Touch devices accumulate fingerprints, which can be frustrating for users and require regular cleaning. Industrial control panels reflect overhead lighting, making critical information difficult to see.

At Orient Display, we’ve engineered coating solutions to help manufacturers solve these exact problems across automotive, medical, industrial, and consumer applications. The right coating choice can mean the difference between a display that enhances user experience and one that creates operational headaches.

What Are AG, AF, and AR Display Coatings?

Display coatings are specialized surface treatments that solve specific visibility and usability problems. The three most effective solutions are:

AG (Anti-Glare) reduces harsh reflections and eye strain by creating a matte surface that scatters light, making displays more comfortable to view under bright lighting.

AF (Anti-Fingerprint) creates an oil and water-repelling surface that prevents fingerprint buildup and makes displays easier to clean, crucial for touch interfaces.

AR (Anti-Reflection) uses optical interference to eliminate mirror-like reflections while maintaining crystal-clear image quality, essential for outdoor and high-brightness applications.

How Do These Coatings Compare for Performance and Applications?

Based on our extensive testing and customer deployments, here’s how these coatings perform across key metrics:

Coating Type Primary Function Surface Appearance Best Applications Key Benefit
AG (Anti-Glare) Reduces harsh glare and eye strain Matte finish with slight texture Indoor displays, office equipment, reading devices Enhanced visual comfort in bright environments
AF (Anti-Fingerprint) Repels oils and fingerprints Smooth, easy-to-clean surface Touch screens, mobile devices, kiosks Reduced maintenance, improved touch experience
AR (Anti-Reflection) Eliminates reflections, increases light transmission Crystal clear, transparent Outdoor displays, automotive, high-end electronics Maximum clarity and contrast in all lighting

Can You Combine Different Coating Types?

Yes, and many applications benefit significantly from combined treatments. Here’s what our engineering experience has shown works best:

Coating Combination Performance Benefits Best Use Cases Trade-offs to Consider
AG + AR Enhanced visual comfort with improved clarity Automotive displays, industrial HMI Slight reduction in sharpness due to AG matte effect
AG + AF Comfortable viewing plus easy cleaning Office equipment, indoor kiosks AF layer must be matched to AG surface texture
AR + AF Maximum clarity with fingerprint resistance High-end smartphones, tablets, premium displays Higher cost but superior user experience
AG + AR + AF Complete protection and performance Medical equipment, luxury automotive, outdoor industrial displays Highest cost and processing complexity

What’s the Best Coating for Outdoor Displays?

For outdoor applications, AR (Anti-Reflection) coating is typically the superior choice for outdoor use scenarios.

Outdoor displays face direct sunlight, which creates intense reflections that make screens unreadable. AR coating provides enhanced clarity and anti-reflection performance. AR coating can significantly improve visibility in bright outdoor conditions.

However, for cost-sensitive outdoor applications, AG coating is often recommended for cost-sensitive outdoor use, providing a reasonable compromise for glare reduction.

Our Recommendation: For applications requiring maximum clarity and outdoor visibility, choose AR coating. For budget-conscious applications, AG provides good value for outdoor glare reduction.

Which Coating Should Automotive Manufacturers Choose?

Automotive displays require the most demanding performance standards due to safety implications and harsh operating conditions. Based on our automotive partnerships, here’s what works:

For Dashboard and Center Console Displays: For automotive and industrial HMIs, we recommend:

  • AG + AR or AG + AR + AF composite treatment provides optimal performance
  • AG reduces glare and relieves visual fatigue
  • AR reduces reflectance and enhances image clarity
  • AF prevents fingerprint buildup that could obstruct critical information

For HUD (Head-Up Display) Applications:

  • AR coating is essential to prevent double imaging
  • Must achieve very low reflectance for optical clarity
  • Requires high-performance AR treatment for durability

What Coating Works Best for Touch Devices?

Touch devices prioritize feel, cleanliness, and visual quality. Here’s our recommended approach:

For Consumer Electronics (Phones, Tablets):

  • AF + AR combination delivers the best user experience
  • AF coating provides a smooth touch feel and fingerprint resistance
  • AR coating maintains display clarity and reduces battery drain from increased brightness compensation

For Industrial Touch Panels:

  • AG + AF combination handles harsh usage patterns
  • AG reduces glare in industrial lighting environments
  • AF coating must withstand frequent cleaning with industrial solvents

How Are These Coatings Manufactured and Applied?

Understanding the manufacturing process helps explain performance differences and cost variations. Here are the primary methods we use:

AG (Anti-Glare) Processing Methods

Chemical Etching (Glass Applications)

  • Process: Acid etching creates microscopic surface irregularities
  • Performance: 88-91% light transmission, 3-6% reflectance
  • Best for: High-durability applications, harsh environments
  • Cost: Medium

AG Film Application

  • Process: Micro-particle resin coating applied to PET film base
  • Performance: 89-93% light transmission, 2-4% reflectance
  • Best for: Cost-effective applications, easy installation
  • Cost: Medium to high

AF (Anti-Fingerprint) Processing Methods

Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)

  • Process: Vacuum deposition of fluorinated compounds
  • Performance: Contact angle up to 120°, >6H hardness
  • Best for: High-durability, frequent-touch applications
  • Cost: High

Solvent-Based Coating

  • Process: Solution application of fluorosilane compounds
  • Performance: Contact angle 100-115°, moderate durability
  • Best for: Standard consumer applications
  • Cost: Low to medium

UV-Cured Nanocoating

  • Process: UV-polymerized fluoropolymer coating
  • Performance: Contact angle 95-110°, good weather resistance
  • Best for: Outdoor applications, balanced cost/performance
  • Cost: Medium

AR (Anti-Reflection) Processing Methods

Vacuum Thin-Film Coating

  • Process: Multi-layer optical films (MgF₂, SiO₂, TiO₂) deposited in vacuum
  • Performance: <0.5% reflectance, 97-99% transmission
  • Best for: Premium applications requiring maximum performance
  • Cost: High

Sol-Gel Nanocoating

  • Process: Spray or dip application of nanoscale materials
  • Performance: 1-2% reflectance, 96-98% transmission
  • Best for: Cost-effective AR solution
  • Cost: Medium

Moth-Eye Nanostructure

  • Process: Etched nanoscale surface structures
  • Performance: <0.2% reflectance, 98-99% transmission
  • Best for: Ultra-premium applications, wide viewing angles
  • Cost: Very high

How Long Do Different Coating Types Last?

AF film adhesion and service life depend on the substrate and coating technology; it is prone to wear in environments with frequent wiping. Chemical-etched AG glass provides high durability with abrasion resistance, while AG films depend on the coating quality.

Key Durability Factors:

  • Chemical-etched AG: High durability, abrasion resistant
  • AG Films: Durability depends on coating quality
  • PVD AF: Superior adhesion and longevity compared to other AF methods
  • Solvent-based AF: Average durability, prone to degradation
  • Vacuum AR coating: Excellent stability and long durability

Coating durability directly impacts total cost of ownership and should be considered when selecting treatments for specific applications.

How Much Do Different Coatings Cost?

Coating costs vary but does not provide specific cost multipliers. Cost considerations include initial treatment, durability, and maintenance over the product lifecycle. Different processing methods have varying cost implications:

  • Chemical etching: Medium cost
  • AG Film: Medium to high cost
  • PVD AF: High cost
  • Solvent-based AF: Low to medium cost
  • UV-cured AF: Medium cost
  • Vacuum AR: High cost
  • Sol-Gel AR: Medium cost
  • Moth-Eye nanostructure: Very high cost

High-end products often employ AG + AR + AF three-layer composite films or coatings, which have the highest cost and greatest processing difficulty.

What Makes Orient Display’s Coating Solutions Different?

Our 2 decades of display engineering experience mean we understand both the technical requirements and real-world challenges our customers face. We provide comprehensive technical analysis and application-specific recommendations to help you select the optimal coating solution.

Technical Expertise: We offer detailed guidance on coating selection, processing methods, and performance optimization for specific applications across automotive, medical, industrial, and consumer electronics sectors. Our engineering team understands the critical performance requirements for each application type and can recommend the most effective coating combinations for your specific needs.

Contact our engineering team to request a consultation: tech@orientdisplay.com

How Do I Choose the Right Coating for My Application?

Use this decision framework based on your primary requirements:

Step 1: Identify Your Primary Challenge

  • Glare/Eye Strain: Start with AG coating evaluation
  • Fingerprints/Cleaning: Prioritize AF coating solutions
  • Reflections/Outdoor Visibility: Focus on AR coating options

Step 2: Consider Your Environment

  • Indoor/Controlled Lighting: AG or AF coating often sufficient
  • Outdoor/Variable Lighting: AR coating typically required
  • High-Touch Applications: AF coating essential

Step 3: Evaluate Performance Requirements

  • Consumer Products: Balance cost and performance
  • Professional/Industrial: Prioritize durability and reliability
  • Safety-Critical: Choose proven, high-performance solutions

Step 4: Assess Total Cost of Ownership

  • Initial Cost: Compare coating treatment costs
  • Maintenance: Factor in cleaning and replacement costs
  • User Experience: Consider productivity and satisfaction impacts

What Questions Should I Ask When Selecting a Coating Partner?

When evaluating coating suppliers, these questions reveal technical capability and experience:

Technical Questions:

  • What specific coating processes do you control in-house?
  • Can you provide performance data from similar applications?
  • How do you ensure coating uniformity across large displays?
  • What quality control testing do you perform?

Experience Questions:

  • How many similar projects have you completed?
  • Can you provide customer references in my industry?
  • What technical challenges have you solved for similar applications?
  • How do you handle custom coating requirements?

Support Questions:

  • What engineering support do you provide during design?
  • How do you handle performance testing and validation?
  • What documentation and certification can you provide?
  • How do you support field issues or warranty claims?

Ready to Solve Your Display Coating Challenges?

Whether you’re dealing with outdoor readability issues, fingerprint accumulation, or glare problems, the right coating solution can transform your display performance. Our engineering team has solved these exact challenges across thousands of applications.

Next Steps:

  1. Technical Consultation: Share your application requirements with our engineering team
  2. Performance Testing: We’ll recommend optimal coating solutions and provide test samples
  3. Cost Analysis: Receive detailed pricing and total cost of ownership analysis
  4. Production Planning: Integrate coating solutions into your manufacturing timeline

Contact our engineering team: tech@orientdisplay.com

Request a consultation: Share your display specifications, operating environment, and performance requirements for customized coating recommendations.

Orient Display has been engineering custom display solutions with expertise spanning automotive, medical, industrial, and consumer electronics applications. Our coating solutions are deployed in devices worldwide, from automotive dashboards to medical equipment interfaces.

23 Jun
Displays

Dual-Layer LCD Architecture Balancing Power Efficiency and Visual Performance

Introducing a Smarter Low-Power LCD Design for Small Home Appliances

In the ever-evolving world of smart appliances, power efficiency and user experience are equally vital. We’re excited to introduce our innovative dual-layer LCD solution, designed specifically for small home appliance applications that demand both high-resolution visuals and ultra-low-power standby modes.

The Architecture: Two Displays in One Panel

Our LCD module integrates two independent layers:

Upper Layer: Segment-type SVTN (VA panel)

Lower Layer: High-resolution IPS panel

This unique structure allows the device to switch seamlessly between high-performance display and low-power standby mode:

IPS Display (Active Mode):
When the device is in use, the vibrant IPS panel delivers a crisp, detailed user interface.

SVTN (VA) Display (Standby Mode):
When idle, the device shifts to the VA segment display. This layer consumes extremely low power, and can still display dynamic information like time, temperature, or status updates. To further reduce energy use, the backlight can be dimmed without losing visibility.

 

Why Not Use RAM-LCD ICs Instead?

While an alternative solution is to use a RAM-integrated LCD driver IC, that approach has several limitations:

  1. Static-only content unless the MCU frequently wakes up—leading to more power consumption.
  2. Software complexity increases significantly with real-time content.
  3. Higher BOM cost due to limited IC availability and premium pricing.

In contrast, our SVTN (VA) -based design is:

  1. Software-friendly: Minimal MCU involvement needed.
  2. Cost-effective: SVTN (VA) segments are simpler to drive, and component selection is broader.
  3. Power-efficient with dynamic capability.

Application Scenarios

Smart kettles, cookers, and humidifiers

IoT-enabled thermostats or timers

Battery-powered home gadgets requiring long standby time

 

17 Jun
Displays

E-ink Digital Art Frame Introduction

History of E-Ink Digital Art Frames

 

Early Inspiration (2000s) – E Ink’s Birth and First Uses

E Ink or E-Paper was invented at MIT in the late 1990s  (later commercialized by E Ink Corporation in 1997). Its first major application was eReaders like the Amazon Kindle, thanks to its paper-like readability and low power consumption.

During this time, digital picture frames using LCDs began to appear, but they were power-hungry and always needed to be plugged in. While people loved the idea of dynamic art displays, traditional LCDs weren’t ideal for minimalist or power-efficient decor—enter e-ink.

Niche and Experimental Frames (2010–2015)

In the early 2010s, some DIY enthusiasts and early adopters began using small ePaper displays (like those from Pervasive Displays or Waveshare) to create custom digital frames. These were typically black-and-white, used for line drawings or comics, and updated via Raspberry Pi or Arduino.

Projects like:

  • Framed 2.0 (2014 Kickstarter) tried using e-ink for art but pivoted to high-end LCD.
  • Kindle hacks let people display static images or art on old Kindle screens.

These were creative but limited, due to small screen sizes, low resolution, and lack of color.

Commercial Emergence (2016–2020)

As E Ink technology improved, a few startups began releasing dedicated e-ink digital art frames, emphasizing minimalism, aesthetic calmness, and zero light pollution. Key players included:

  • Modos Paper Monitor – focused on productivity and code/art display
  • Visionect / Joan – used e-ink for signage but inspired display ideas
  • Framestation, Inkplate – DIY-friendly open-source displays

Still, most were DIY or commercial signage rather than high-resolution color frames for digital fine art.

Breakthroughs with Color E Ink (2020–2023)

The launch of E Ink Kaleido (color filter) and Spectra (multi-color particles) marked a turning point. These allowed for limited color digital art, though still with lower saturation than LCDs.

Now, new products like:

  • Lemur Ink – aimed at artists and collectors
  • Color e-ink photo frames from China (Alibaba, Waveshare panels)
  • QuirkLogic and Mudita – focused on lifestyle calmness and intentional display

They emphasized ultra-low power, eco-friendliness, and aesthetic quietness, aligning with modern interior design and wellness trends.

Spectra 6 and the Future (2024+)

With E Ink Spectra 6 in 2023–2024, digital art frames can now display six vivid colors (including blue and green) with high contrast (30:1) and resolutions up to 200 PPI.

This enables:

  • Larger frame sizes (up to 75”)
  • Museum-quality visuals
  • Ultra-low power “always-on” displays
  • Integration with NFT galleries and generative art

Startups and artists are now exploring connected art platforms, where owners can stream curated artworks or generative visuals to their frame via Wi-Fi or blockchain wallets.

 

What is E-Ink Spectra 6

 

E Ink Spectra 6 is the latest generation of color electronic paper (ePaper) display technology developed by E Ink Corporation, designed specifically for retail signage, digital art, and low-power displays. It represents a major leap forward in color richness, contrast, and resolution compared to previous e-ink color technologies.

Key Features of E-Ink Spectra 6

Feature                           Details

🖍️ Color Range          Six pigments: black, white, red, yellow, blue, and green

🌈 Color Accuracy    Capable of displaying over 60,000 colors via advanced dithering

📐 Resolution             Up to 200 PPI (pixels per inch) for detailed, crisp images

🌓 Contrast Ratio      Up to 30:1 — much higher than previous color e-ink generations

⚡ Power Usage         No power required to retain an image (bi-stable); updates use power

🔋 Battery Life            Can last months to years on a single charge depending on usage

🖥️ Sizes Available     Ranges from 4″ to 75″ — popular sizes include 7.3″, 13.3″, 25.3″

🧩 Interface Options              SPI, USB, BLE, or Wi-Fi depending on integration hardware

E Ink Spectra 6 is the most vibrant, color-accurate, and power-efficient ePaper technology available for static displays. It’s opening new doors in digital art, signage, and ambient visual tech—where beauty meets sustainability.

 

How E-ink Spectra 6 works

E Ink Spectra 6 uses microcapsules filled with charged color particles suspended in fluid. By applying different electrical charges, the desired pigment rises to the surface, forming pixels in any of the six colors. Once in place, the image stays without power until the next refresh.

For more information, please visit: https://www.eink.com/tech/detail/How_it_works

 

The Popular E-Ink Digital Art Frames Sizes

Size       Resolution PPI
4″ 600*400 ~180
7.3″ 800*480 127
10” 1600*1200 200
8.14″ 1024*576 144
13.3″ 1200*1600 150
25.3″ 3200*1800 145
28.5”  2160*3080 132
31.5″ 2560*1440 94

 

The Players in E-Ink Digital Art Frames

A lot of startups have been working on E-Ink Digital Art Frames, but all of them use Spectra 6.  The most well known ones are listed as below.

Bloomin8 (by Arpobot)

  • A crowd‑funded digital art frame debuting March 19, 2025 on Kickstarter/Indiegogo.
  • Available in 7.3″, 13.3″, and 28.5″ sizes, battery-powered (up to ~1 year), and Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/Job‑Assistant compatible

Reflection Frame (Creative Design Worx)

  • A 13.3″ Spectra 6 frame featuring NFC pairing, Bluetooth LE updates via smartphone, Kickstarter‑backed ($249–329 early bird).
  • UI connectivity is optimized for simplicity and power efficiency

InkPoster (PocketBook + Sharp)

  • A digital wall poster/art display available in 13.3″, 28.5″, 31.5″ sizes.
  • Charges once a year, equipped with Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth, app-connected for curated artworks and personal uploads

These platforms illustrate the shift from display hardware to connected art ecosystems—powered by APIs, smartphone apps, and even AI content generation. Whether you’re a collector or creative, these Spectra 6 frames offer nearly silent, power-efficient, and paper-like canvases that softly transform your space.

The full list players are listed below:

Aluratek Kickstarter – https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/…

Bloomin8 – https://bloomin8.com/product/einkcanvas

Reflection Frame – https://www.reflectionframe.com/

Inkposter – https://inkposter.com

Paperless Paper – https://paperlesspaper.de/e

Samsung EDMX

 

What Orient Display is Involved in E-Ink Digital Art Frames Creations?

  • E-ink Spectra 6 EDP sourcing
  • Laminate the protection glass to EDP
  • Touch design, manufacturing and integration.
  • Front Light, design, manufacturing and Integration (if any crazy ideas)
  • EDP driving board includes PCB layout, SMT, testing and firmware. Our engineers are familiar with ESP32.
  • Housing and frame with aluminum, plastic or wood material.
  • The whole assembly and packaging.

 

If you have any questions, please contact our engineering team.

Browse our standard E-Ink products from our online store.

 

05 Jun
Displays

What is In-Cell Technology

Have you ever heard of in-cell touchscreen technology? If not, you might be wondering what it means.

In this blog, we will take a closer look at in-cell technology while revealing how it works and the benefits it offers.

From smartphones and tablets to human machine interfaces (HMI) and more, many touchscreens are now designed with in-cell technology.

In-Cell Technology in the display industry refers to a touchscreen integration method where the touch sensors are embedded directly into the LCD or OLED display layer, eliminating the need for a separate touch layer.

Display technology has evolved rapidly in recent years. GFF,  On-cell, and TDDI/IN-CELL technologies are among the most significant innovations. These technologies have reshaped the design and performance of touchscreens in various devices, including consumer electronics and industrial systems.

For more information about TDDI , please refer below link in Orient Display Blogs section:

https://www.orientdisplay.com/introduction-to-embedded-touch-display-driver-chip-tddi/

Advantages & Benefits of In-cell Technology

  1. Slimmer, Lighter Design:  Since the touch sensors are integrated into the display pixels, there is no need for additional touch panel, hence able to reducing overall thickness.  In-cell technology allows for thinner displays, ideal for compact devices.
  2. Better Display Quality: With fewer layers, less reflection, more light passes through, improved brightness/contrast.
  1. Improved Touch Sensitivity & Accuracy: Direct integration reduces signal interference, leading to faster and more precise touch response.
  2. Cost-Efficiency: In-cell displays are cost-effective, as they reduce the need for multiple components.
  3. Reduce the weight of a touchscreen:  Touchscreens with both a display layer and a digitizer layer weigh more than those with a single and integrated layer. It’s not a substantial difference, but the use of in-cell technology can lower the weight of a touchscreen nonetheless.
  4. Size and Resolution Orient Display developed, as below chart, size range from 1.9” to 12.1”, more sizes coming, pls contact with Orient Display support engineers

In-cell technologies offer thinner designs, faster touch response times, and better durability. As the demand for more compact and efficient devices continues to grow, we believe the In-cell technologies will play a crucial role in shaping the future of display and touch solutions. Understanding these innovations gives us a glimpse into the future of display technology and how it will impact various industries.

30 May
Displays

Introduction to Mini LED Display Technology

Mini LED, also known as “sub-millimeter light-emitting diode,” is a type of LED chip with a much smaller size. Typically, the chip size of a Mini LED ranges from 50 to 200 μm. This means that within the same area, Mini LEDs can accommodate a greater number of light beads, allowing for more precise local dimming control.

Mini LED technology was initially widely used in the television industry. However, in recent years, as backlight technology has continued to advance and the size of LED chips has been reduced to 50 μm, the application of Mini LED backlighting has gradually expanded from TVs—suitable for long-distance viewing—to monitors, which are better suited for close-up use.

Compared to traditional monitors, Mini LED displays offer more refined image quality, higher brightness, and a thinner form factor. They fully retain the RGB primary colors, resulting in better color integrity and a wider color gamut, with brightness levels approaching those of OLED displays. Since Mini LEDs are smaller than conventional LEDs, they enable more precise control of the LCD panel’s backlight. When combined with advanced local dimming technology, this results in significantly higher contrast. As a result, Mini LED displays are notably thinner. All these advantages make Mini LED an ideal choice for professional display applications where color accuracy, resolution, and overall performance are critical.

Essentially, Mini LED still falls under the category of LCD screens, consisting of a backlight module, liquid crystal layer, color filter, and other components. The backlight module serves as the primary light source and is made up of many LED beads arranged in sequence. The most noticeable difference between Mini LED and traditional LCDs lies in the size of the LED beads—Mini LED panels can accommodate significantly more LEDs within the same panel size, resulting in a substantial boost in display brightness.

Mini LED has already become the best current option and is considered a transitional technology from small-pitch LED to Micro LED in the long term. Compared to small-pitch LEDs, Mini LED displays offer smaller LED chip sizes, denser LED arrangements, and higher resolution (PPI), making them particularly suitable for large-size 4K/8K LED TVs.

  •  Advantages of Mini LED

 

  • Requirements of Display Products

  • Trends of Display Products

  • Technology Route: Smaller LED Chips

  • Different Substrates Comparison for Mini LED

  • Glass Substrate Structure for Passive Mini LED

  • High Reliability Tests for Mini LED to Enable the Technology Used in Automotive

  • Examples of Mini LED used in Automotive Applications

If you have any questions, please contact our Orient Display engineers.

13 May
Displays

Brightness Enhancement Film (BEF) and Dual Brightness Enhancement Film (DBEF) Analysis

Brightness Enhancement Film (BEF)

Brightness Enhancement Film (BEF), also known as a Prism Sheet, is a key component in the backlight module of TFT-LCDs. It is an optical film with precise microstructures that concentrates scattered light from the light source into a forward direction, narrowing the spread to approximately 70 degrees. This makes it an important energy-saving element in LCDs.

A single BEF can typically increase brightness by about 40–60%. When two BEF films are used together with their prism orientations placed at 90 degrees to each other, even higher brightness enhancement can be achieved.

The function of the BEF is to direct light, which would otherwise spread over a wide range of angles, into a narrower, forward-facing angle to increase the intensity of light seen from the front. Essentially, a basic brightness enhancement film is a prism sheet that refracts, reflects, and concentrates light to achieve enhanced brightness.

The drawback of BEF is that, at the same brightness level, the screen appears brighter when viewed directly from the front, but the image becomes dimmer when viewed from an angle.

DBEF (Dual Brightness Enhancement Film)

DBEF (Dual Brightness Enhancement Film) is a reflective polarizer that reflects S-polarized light before it is absorbed by the LCD panel. Through repeated reflections, it allows approximately 40% of the S-polarized light to be reused.

The light emitted from the backlight can be decomposed into P- and S-polarized light, which are orthogonal in polarization direction. DBEF can recycle and reuse the S-polarized light that would otherwise be absorbed by the polarizer, thereby improving the light utilization efficiency of the backlight system.

Compared to BEF, DBEF improves light utilization and increases brightness while overcoming the viewing angle limitations of BEF. Therefore, BEF is sometimes referred to as a “collimating film,” while DBEF is called a “brightness enhancement film.”

BEF and DBEF can be used together to maximize light emission efficiency and to optimize the cost.

Please also refer to the pictures below for the actual products Orient Display made. The right side is with BEF only, the right side is the combination of BEF and DBEF.

 

If you have any questions, please contact our technical support team.

09 May
Displays

Terminology and Comparison in Embedded System

Arduino

Arduino-Compatible Boards

These work with the Arduino IDE and libraries:

  1. Seeeduino (by Seeed Studio)
    • Fully Arduino-compatible; often more compact or cheaper.
    • Versions like Seeeduino Lotus include Grove ports for easy sensor integration.
  2. SparkFun RedBoard
    • Same ATmega328P chip as Arduino Uno.
    • Designed for better USB compatibility and robustness.
  3. Adafruit Metro
    • Arduino Uno-compatible.
    • Comes in ATmega328 or M0/M4 (more powerful ARM) variants.
  4. Elegoo Uno / Mega / Nano
    • Cheaper clones of Arduino boards.
    • Great for beginners or bulk classroom use.

More Powerful Microcontrollers

These offer more processing power or features:

  1. Raspberry Pi Pico / Pico W
    • Based on the RP2040 chip (dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+).
    • Programmable in MicroPython, C/C++, or via Arduino IDE (with configuration).
  2. Teensy (by PJRC)
    • Very powerful (Cortex-M4 or M7); supports audio, real-time control.
    • Arduino IDE compatible via Teensyduino add-on.
  3. ESP8266 / ESP32 (by Espressif)
    • Built-in Wi-Fi (and Bluetooth for ESP32).
    • Compatible with Arduino IDE and great for IoT.

Industrial / Educational Boards

These are designed for durability, education, or expanded use cases:

  1. Micro:bit (BBC)
    • ARM Cortex-M0/M4; ideal for education.
    • Has built-in sensors, LEDs, Bluetooth.
  2. STM32 Nucleo Boards
    • Based on STM32 ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers.
    • Arduino pin compatibility + STM32Cube ecosystem.
  3. Particle Photon / Argon
  • Focused on cloud-connected IoT.
  • Works with Particle Cloud and supports Arduino-like development.

 

Raspberry Pi

Direct Raspberry Pi Alternatives

  1. Banana Pi Series (e.g., BPI-M5, BPI-M2 Pro)
    • ARM-based; similar form factor and GPIO layout.
    • Often more RAM or better I/O, but software support can lag.
  2. Orange Pi Series (e.g., Orange Pi 5, Orange Pi Zero 2)
    • Powerful Rockchip/Allwinner-based boards.
    • Great specs for the price, but less mature OS/software support.
  3. Rock Pi Series (by Radxa) (e.g., Rock Pi 4, Rock Pi 5)
    • Rockchip RK3399 or RK3588-based (much more powerful than Pi 4).
    • Good performance and better AI acceleration than Raspberry Pi.
  4. Odroid Series (by Hardkernel) (e.g., Odroid-C4, Odroid-N2+, Odroid-XU4)
    • ARM Cortex-A73/A55 or Exynos-based.
    • Powerful, with good Linux support and active community.
  5. Libre Computer Boards (e.g., Le Potato, Tritium)
    • Raspberry Pi-compatible form factor.
    • Mainline Linux kernel support; focused on open-source.

More Powerful SBCs (Edge AI / Desktop Replacement)

  1. NVIDIA Jetson Series (e.g., Jetson Nano, Jetson Orin Nano)
  • Built for AI and computer vision (CUDA/GPU acceleration).
  • Ideal for robotics and ML projects.
  1. BeagleBone Black / AI-64
  • More focused on real-time control and I/O (PRUs).
  • BeagleBone AI-64 competes with Jetson and Pi 5 in power.
  1. UP Board Series (by AAEON)
  • Intel x86-based SBCs.
  • Suitable for industrial, Windows/Linux desktop, or edge AI.

Ultra-Compact Boards (Raspberry Pi Zero Competitors)

  1. NanoPi Series (by FriendlyELEC) (e.g., NanoPi Neo, NanoPi R5S)
    • Tiny, affordable, with various performance levels.
    • Great for headless IoT and embedded projects.
  2. LattePanda Series
  • Intel Atom/x86 SBC with optional Arduino co-processor.
  • Unique combo of PC power and microcontroller I/O.

 

STM32

Some microcontroller families that compete directly with STM32 (by STMicroelectronics), offering similar or better features depending on the application:

ARM Cortex-M Competitors

  1. NXP LPC Series (LPC800 / LPC1100 / LPC54000, etc.)
  • ARM Cortex-M0/M3/M4/M33 cores.
  • Known for low power and good USB support.
  • Strong IDE support via MCUXpresso.
  1. Renesas RA and RX Series
  • RA: ARM Cortex-M (RA2, RA4, RA6 with M23/M33).
  • RX: Proprietary 32-bit core, high performance, low power.
  • Industrial reliability and long-term availability.
  1. Nordic Semiconductor nRF52 / nRF53 Series
  • ARM Cortex-M4/M33 with integrated Bluetooth Low Energy.
  • Excellent for low-power wireless applications.
  1. Texas Instruments MSP432 / Tiva C Series
  • MSP432: ARM Cortex-M4F, low power, high precision ADCs.
  • Tiva C: ARM Cortex-M4, general purpose.
  1. Silicon Labs EFM32 Gecko Series
  • ARM Cortex-M0+/M3/M4.
  • Extremely low power (Energy Micro acquisition).
  • Great for battery-powered devices.

IoT-Focused Chips with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth

  1. Espressif ESP32 / ESP32-S3 / ESP32-C6
  • Dual-core or single-core RISC-V/ARM variants.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi + BLE.
  • Low cost, Arduino and MicroPython support.
  1. Raspberry Pi RP2040
  • Dual-core Cortex-M0+ (not STM32 level in raw power).
  • PIO (Programmable IO) is unique.
  • Popular due to price and community support.

Higher-End SoCs (for more powerful tasks)

  1. NXP i.MX RT Series (“crossover” MCUs)
  • ARM Cortex-M7 running up to 600 MHz.
  • Bridges gap between MCU and MPU (e.g., STM32H7 vs. i.MX RT1060).
  1. Microchip SAM E / D / L Series (formerly Atmel)
  • ARM Cortex-M0+/M4/M7 variants.
  • Good IDE (MPLAB X), integrates well with peripherals and TrustZone.

 

Software used in Embedded System

Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

These are used where timing precision and low latency are crucial (e.g., robotics, medical, automotive):

RTOS Key Features Competitors
FreeRTOS (by Amazon) Lightweight, portable, wide MCU support, AWS integration Zephyr, ChibiOS, ThreadX
Zephyr RTOS (by Linux Foundation) Scalable, native device tree support, built-in networking FreeRTOS, NuttX
ChibiOS/RT Small footprint, real-time, HAL support FreeRTOS, CMSIS-RTOS
ThreadX (Azure RTOS) Deterministic, supported by Microsoft FreeRTOS, Zephyr
RIOT OS Designed for IoT devices with low power and low memory Contiki, TinyOS
NuttX (by Apache) POSIX-compliant, supports MMU-based processors Zephyr, Linux
Micrium uC/OS-II / III Industrial-grade RTOS (now part of Silicon Labs) ThreadX

 

Embedded Linux Distributions

Used for more powerful processors (e.g., ARM Cortex-A, x86) in applications like edge computing, gateways, and media devices:

Linux Distro Key Features Competitors
Yocto Project Build-your-own Linux distro for embedded systems Buildroot, OpenWRT
Buildroot Lightweight, simple Linux rootfs builder Yocto, Alpine
OpenWRT Specialized for networking/routers DD-WRT, pfSense
Raspberry Pi OS Debian-based; official for Raspberry Pi Armbian, Ubuntu Core
Ubuntu Core Minimal, snap-based, secure OS for IoT Yocto, Raspbian

 

Bare-Metal / SDKs / HALs

For ultra-low-latency and simplicity (no OS):

Platform Key Features Competitors
CMSIS (ARM) ARM’s standard for Cortex-M abstraction STM32 HAL, Atmel ASF
Arduino Framework Easy C/C++ wrapper for embedded development PlatformIO, Energia
mbed OS (by ARM) C++ RTOS and IoT SDK, now merged into Mbed TLS Zephyr, FreeRTOS

 

IDEs and Toolchains

Toolchain / IDE Notes Competitors
STM32CubeIDE Integrated with STM32 HAL and FreeRTOS Keil MDK, IAR Embedded Workbench
Keil MDK (Arm) Professional ARM IDE, real-time debugger IAR, MPLAB X
IAR Embedded Workbench High-performance, industry-standard Keil, STM32CubeIDE
PlatformIO Modern, cross-platform CLI/IDE that supports many frameworks Arduino IDE, MPLAB X
MPLAB X IDE (Microchip) For PIC, AVR, SAM devices Atmel Studio, Keil
SEGGER Embedded Studio Known for J-Link debugger integration IAR, Keil

 

IoT Focused Software

Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) for IoT

RTOS Ideal Use Case Highlights
FreeRTOS (Amazon) MCU-based IoT sensors, BLE devices, home automation Lightweight, modular, AWS IoT integration, great community
Zephyr RTOS Industrial IoT, secure devices, BLE/Wi-Fi sensors Scalable, native device tree support, modern APIs
ThreadX (Azure RTOS) Consumer IoT devices, wearables Compact, deterministic; Azure IoT SDK built-in
RIOT OS Low-power constrained IoT nodes IPv6/6LoWPAN, open-source, energy-efficient
Contiki-NG Wireless sensor networks, 6LoWPAN/CoAP Proven in research, IPv6-ready, power-aware
NuttX POSIX-like OS for more complex MCU applications Compatible with SMP, supports file systems and TCP/IP

 

Embedded Linux for Edge IoT & Gateways

For more capable IoT devices (e.g., gateways, smart hubs):

Distro Ideal Use Case Highlights
Yocto Project Custom Linux distros for industrial IoT Fine control over kernel and packages
Buildroot Lightweight Linux for constrained edge devices Simpler than Yocto, fast build time
Ubuntu Core Secure gateways and OTA-updated IoT devices Snap-based updates, secure by design
OpenWRT Networked IoT gateways, routers Great networking support, extensible
Raspberry Pi OS / Armbian Pi-based IoT hubs Easier dev, large community, GPIO access

 

SDKs / Frameworks / Middleware

Platform Best For Features
Arduino Framework Quick prototyping for IoT sensors Simple, fast, broad hardware support
PlatformIO Cross-platform IoT development Supports ESP32, STM32, RP2040, and RTOSes
Mbed OS ARM Cortex-M IoT devices TLS, cloud SDKs, RTOS + HAL layers
Espressif IDF (ESP32 SDK) Wi-Fi/BLE-based IoT Fine control, optimized for ESP32 family
TinyGo Small-scale Go for IoT MCUs Great for experimentation, compile to ARM Cortex-M

 

IoT Cloud Integration (Optional Middleware)

Cloud SDK Best For Notes
AWS IoT Core + FreeRTOS Cloud-connected embedded devices Secure OTA, MQTT, shadow devices
Azure IoT + ThreadX / RTOS Industrial IoT Tight integration with Azure services
Google Cloud IoT Core (3rd party SDKs) Prototyping with ESP32/RPi Deprecated officially, but usable
ThingsBoard / Node-RED Local or custom IoT dashboards Great for DIY/local control systems

 

Recommendations by IoT Device Type

Device Type Recommended Stack
Battery-powered sensor FreeRTOS or Zephyr + MQTT + PlatformIO
Smart appliance (Wi-Fi) ESP32 + FreeRTOS or Espressif IDF
Wearable / BLE device Zephyr + Nordic nRF52 + NimBLE
IoT gateway Raspberry Pi + Ubuntu Core or Yocto + Node-RED
Industrial sensor node STM32 + ThreadX / Zephyr + MQTT/CoAP

 

Check out our Embedded Product in stock here!

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