Enhancements Overview

Each LCD, OLED and Plasma display part number, without regard to manufacturer or size, has its own unique “personality” pertaining to optical performance. General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories understands this challenge and has successfully implemented test and characterization methods. This allows us to better understand the display’s capabilities and potential for improvement. We have on our premises an Optical Characterization Laboratory for obtaining photometrics on any given flat panel display.

Luminance

In our Optical Characterization Laboratory, General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories obtains brightness metrics of your display under dark room conditions and three different simulated daylight conditions. We then do an evaluation of the OEM films in the LCD, OLED or Plasma display and provide analysis on the best configuration based on your expected operating condition. We perform multiple iterations of backlight film modifications and submit the data to you, along with our analysis of what the metrics indicate.

Contrast

In addition to our luminance measuring, General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories also provides you with empirical contrast ratios based on the multiple lighting conditions utilized in the luminance measuring process. This assists in the decision process of which configuration will best suit your application.

Benefits

  • Increase brightness up to 100% with brightness enhancement films alone
  • Improve display contrast and readability
  • Improve display clarity and image quality
  • Superior uniformity
  • Improved operating temperature range and brightness

Options

General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories offers both passive and active backlight modifications to improve sunlight readability. Our most efficient and cost-effective solution is the GenFlective display, a hybrid of transflective and passive enhancements. We also offer a standard transflective display, which incorporates a highly reflective backlight that reflects ambient light back out of the display. Thirdly, we provide the traditional value-add backlight solution, an active enhancement featuring your choice of LED or NVIS backlight technology.

Passive Enhancements

  • Consider our own GenFlective™ Technology (PDF)
  • Requires no more power than OEM panel
  • Dissipates no more heat than OEM panel
  • Simplifies integration of value-add display
  • Easier to address cooling due to low power
  • Can often be combined with other passive enhancements (optical bonding) or active enhancements (sunlight/daylight readable backlights/edge lights)
  • Typical enhancement of OEM luminance of 20% to 100%
  • Contrast enhancement typically measured in orders of magnitude rather than percentages
  • GenFlective EnhancementsA GenFlective-enhanced LCD, OLED or Plasma display is a display that General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories has altered, using passive enhancements, to improve the brightness (transmissive and/or reflective) and/or the contrast of the display. Although each display has its own personality, due to differences in design, manufacturing techniques and in the stock film stack, we can typically enhance the performance of an OEM panel utilizing Optical Management Films, Polarizers and Diffusers, and a multitude of films and coatings (Contrast Enhancement, Index Matched, Antireflective, etc.).
  • Taking a brightness reading from an LCDGeneral Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories characterizes your display under dark room conditions and three different simulated daylight conditions. We then do an evaluation of the OEM films in the LCD, OLED or Plasma display and modify this configuration as we deem reasonable. We will do up to four iterations of backlight film modifications and submit the data to you, along with our analysis of what the data tells us.

Transflective Panels

  • Although they are designed to reflect ambient light back out the display to augment its performance in direct sunlight, transflective panels have insufficient transmissive luminance (typically ~200 nits) to be considered usable in diffuse lighting conditions where direct sunlight is not available (e.g., cloudy or rainy days).
  • Additionally, transflective panels are only available in a limited range of display sizes and resolutions.

Active Enhancements

As more of today’s applications require brighter displays, the shortcomings of CCFL backlights become more apparent. In response to this challenge, LED backlighting has been developed to achieve and maintain the required brightness levels of today’s displays.

Advantages of LED Backlights:
  • Sunlight readable, standard luminance, NVIS-compatible options available
  • CCFL edge rail replacement with LED or complete light box redesign options
  • High color gamut achievable with high power LED
  • Lower EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) Emissions
  • Lower Power Consumption
  • Extended Life Expectancy
  • Lower Heat Emissions
  • Potentially Lower-Profile-Than-Typical Backlight Replacement Techniques
  • GD design meets MIL-DTL-901E, MIL-STD-810F, MIL-STD-461E
  • Readily dimmable to very low levels without flicker
  • Wide thermal range without heaters
  • Any size, any panel, any brightness – Below are a few sample configurations equipped with LED backlights to enhance sunlight readability.

General Digital’s extensive variety of monitor kits and industrial-/military-grade monitors provide our customers with a solution for virtually any type of application or environment.

In addition to being able to request integration of our NVIS- and NVG-compatible LED backlit LCDs into our monitor products, customers may also request the integration of our sunlight readable backlit LCDs, OEM LCDs with LED backlights or third-party enhanced LCDs.

Please feel free to contact a Sales Engineer contact a Sales Engineer to discuss your options and configuration requirements.

 

GenFlective Technology

As more and more flat panel displays (LCD, OLED, Plasma) find their way into outdoor applications, the need becomes far greater for them to not only be able to withstand severe temperature extremes (heat and cold) and solar radiation, but the display must also be readable when exposed to extreme optical conditions such as direct and indirect sunlight, glare and reflection.

Download GenFlective white paper

Most off-the-shelf displays are not properly equipped to handle all of these requirements. The traditional approach demands installation of value-add backlights to boost brightness and incorporation of thermal management solutions to dissipate the heat generated by the backlights.

Additionally, although transmissive panels are now available with a white luminance of more than 400 nits, they do not provide adequate brightness or contrast to be considered practical in high ambient lighting conditions or direct sunlight.

photo of display clarity comparison

The Myth

It is a common myth that increasing a display’s backlight brightness alone will make it usable in high brightness environments (i.e., sunlight readable). The reality is that the increase in brightness is only a benefit if it does not adversely affect the contrast at the same time.

For example, imagine that a value-add backlight is used to increase the luminance of an OEM display that has a white luminance of 200 nits and a contrast ratio of 300:1 (black luminance of 0.66 nits) by ten-fold to a white luminance of 2,000 nits. While the display is unarguably brighter, the increased brightness will not be of much value in direct sunlight if the “black luminance” is correspondingly increased from 0.66 nits to 660 nits (contrast ratio of 3.03).

These factors, as well as other integration issues such as power consumption and heat dissipation, must be considered as a collective when designing a display for true sunlight readability.

General Digital offers three types of sunlight readable solutions. The first is the traditional value-add backlight solution. The second approach is to provide a transflective display which incorporates a highly reflective backlight that reflects ambient light back out of the display. Our third offering, and generally the most efficient and cost-effective solution, is the GenFlective display, a hybrid of transflective and passive enhancements.

Value-Add Backlights

Traditionally, value-add backlights have a short life expectancy; bulbs generally have a brightness half-life of 20,000 hours, which means that the backlight will only be able to produce approximately half of its original brightness after 20,000 hours. Compared to this, current OEM backlights often are rated for 50,000 hours.

A typical 2,000 nit backlight for a 10.4″ display will require as much as 20 watts, while a 600 nit 20″ backlight uses greater than 60 watts. Because of this high power consumption, heat dissipation is of paramount importance. Integration of thermal management such as heat sinks, cooling fans, heat exchangers, heat pipes, etc. is necessary to maintain safe operating conditions.

Although most recent value-add backlight designs do not add significant depth to the OEM display, they typically require more space in the integrated enclosure due to the necessity to provide thermal management.

By themselves, value-add backlights can be quite costly. In addition to the expense of the backlights and their associated electronics and packaging, most displays also require some optical films as well. When considering the integration of a value-add backlight, one must also consider the expense of the thermal management solution (typically required) as well as the increased cost of ownership resulting from shortened lamp life. And don’t forget about the special inverter(s) required to drive the backlights.

Transflective Panels

Although they are designed to reflect ambient light back out the display to augment its performance in direct sunlight, transflective panels have insufficient transmissive luminance (typically ~200 nits) to be considered usable in diffuse lighting conditions where direct sunlight is not available (e.g., cloudy or rainy days).

Additionally, transflective panels are only available in a limited range of display sizes and resolutions.

GenFlective Technology

A GenFlective-enhanced LCD, OLED or Plasma display is one that General Digital has altered, using passive enhancements, to improve the brightness (transmissive and/or reflective) and/or the contrast of the display. Although each display has its own personality, due to differences in design, manufacturing techniques and in the stock film stack, General Digital can typically enhance the performance of an OEM panel utilizing Optical Management Films, Polarizers and Diffusers, and a multitude of films and coatings (Contrast Enhancement, Index Matched, Antireflective, etc.).

In contrast to value-add backlights, displays enhanced with GenFlective technology do not require any additional power since General Digital has not modified the OEM bulbs, backlights or LEDs. In addition to reduced power consumption, this benefits the end user with cooler running units, which in turn negates the need for bulky, complex and/or expensive cooling systems (fans, heat exchangers, heat pipes, etc.) that traditional value-add backlights typically require. Another benefit resulting from these factors is improved reliability (reduced piece count).

Since the display’s lamps are not being overdriven, the GenFlective enhancements do not adversely affect the brightness half-life of the bulbs. A direct correlation exists between the brightness half-life of the bulbs and the suitability and cost of ownership of the integrated solution. For example, most bulbs are rated for 50,000 hours when operated at their intended drive current. As a rule of thumb, the bulbs will lose 10% of their initial brightness during their first 500-2,000 hours and 1-5% for every 1,000 hours of use thereafter. Longer brightness half-life also reduces the cost of ownership by reducing the frequency in which the backlights must be replaced.

In theory, candidate displays for GenFlective enhancement can be of any size, resolution or manufacturing origin. The success of the candidate display is most influenced by the display’s aperture, transmissivity and the “personality” (OEM film recipe).

Combining GenFlective with Other Technologies

To further enhance LCD performance and improve its ruggedness, GenFlective technology can be combined with optical bonding, provided by General Digital’s Optical Bonding Laboratories.

Optical bonding of an LCD reduces internal reflection and increases brightness and contrast by index matching internal surfaces. It also creates a shatterproof construction similar to the properties of automotive windshields. An additional benefit is the optical-friendly integration of other options, such as heaters, EMI filters, hot mirrors (IR filters) and more.

Another combination utilizes low power active enhancement, which allows overdriving of cold cathode fluorescent tubes and multiple tube edgelight replacements.

Overdriving the bulbs, or using a drive current that is greater than recommended by the OEM manufacturer, will increase display brightness but will also reduce the brightness half-life expectancy of the bulbs. Increasing the number of bulbs will also increase the luminosity of the panel and add less than 10 watts of additional power consumption.

In some instances, GenFlective technology can also be combined with traditional value-add backlights for a “best of both worlds” solution.

Integration Decisions and Influences

To optimize the benefits and performance of the GenFlective-enhanced LCD, OLED and Plasma display panels, General Digital recommends that an index-matched-to-air antireflective coating be included on the outer viewing surface to improve contrast. Customers should note that special handling and cleaning instructions are required for the care of antireflective coatings.

Introduction of overlays that adversely affect light transmission, such as vandal shields, touch screens, EMI filters, hot mirrors, etc., will diminish the performance of the Genflective-enhanced flat panel display.

Film Lamination

Overview

Light emitting displays, including LCD, OLED, Plasma and other technologies, all suffer from a visibility problem when used under conditions which include high ambient lighting levels. A common condition is exposure to uncontrollable outdoor lighting, such as kiosks, advertising displays, control towers and aircraft cockpits, to name just a few. The solution is to increase the luminance of the display well above normal levels expected for indoor use. The display contrast must be increased to maximum, as well. Because of these measures, precautions must be taken to avoid direct specular reflections from the display surface.

Several technologies have been developed to improve the situation. One of these technologies is film lamination. General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories can passively enhance a display by applying optical films to its front surface, thereby improving brightness and contrast by reducing surface reflections.

General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories is a National Distributor of Tigold Films (formerly known as OCLI). We also integrate films from other third party film manufacturers.

Antireflective Film (AR)

  • Laminated to the front surface of the LCD panel. Can be performed either directly in-the-frame or under-the-frame. General Digital prefers the under-the-frame method to reduce risks of delamination.
  • Reduces surface reflections, thereby improving brightness and contrast two to three times without actually making display brighter.

Antireflective Film and Antiglare Film (AR)

  • Laminated to the front surface of the LCD panel. Can be performed either directly in-the-frame or under-the-frame. General Digital prefers the under-the-frame method to reduce risks of delamination.
  • Reduces surface reflections, thereby improving brightness and contrast two to three times without actually making display brighter. Softens direct light source images in reflection.

Conductive Films (EMI/RFI Reduction)

    • Laminated to the front surface of the LCD, OLED or Plasma panel. Can be performed either directly in-the-frame or under-the-frame. General Digital prefers the under-the-frame method to reduce risks of delamination.
    • Reduces EMI emissions.

Specialty Films

  • Reduces reflected ambient light more than the emitted light, thereby increasing contrast of the display.

Color Selective Films

  • Alters the output color of the screen. Can be used to trim the output for special applications.

For further information regarding optical film enhancements or to request a quote for your application, please contact one of our qualified Sales Engineers.

Sunlight Readable LCD Displays from General Digital

Selecting an LCD monitor for “daylight” jobs isn’t an easy task. But don’t worry–it’s not your fault. On most typical flat screen computer monitors, the LCD panels only produce between 200 and 350 nits of backlighting. For daylight and sunlight readability, this is not enough luminance to create the high contrast necessary to make monitor displays visible against glare.

Daylight Readable and Sunlight Readable LCD technology takes backlighting to the next level. In order to be properly viewable during the day, whether outdoors or indoors in high ambient lighting, General Digital configures its daylight readable flat panel screens to produce at least 343 nits of luminance. To guarantee color visibility in direct sun, our sunlight readable flat panel displays produce at least 686 nits of luminance.

Thanks to extra effort and extensive research into outdoor display visibility, General Digital has created a set of industry-leading high brightness monitors. Most of our display products are engineered go wherever you need them and work flawlessly for years—decades even.

With some models UL and FCC certified and upholding the standards of military requirements, General Digital’s monitors with the sunlight or daylight readable option are high quality and durable.

Select a sunlight readable monitor below that will best suit your needs. Mousing over the product name reveals a photo and brief description, and the link takes you to a page with detailed information.

GenFlective™ Enhancements

Passive brightness enhancement technology for LCDs and other flat screen displays

GenStar™ Series

Industrial-grade sunlight readable LCD monitors for air traffic control towers and navigation applications

Saber™ Series

Military-grade sunlight readable standard LCD monitors

Barracuda™ Series

Military-grade waterproof sunlight readable LCD monitors sealed for harsh environments and marine applications

Impact™ Series

Military-grade sunlight readable turnkey modular open frame LCD monitor kits

Rack Mount Hinge™ Series

Military-grade 1U/2U high sunlight readable rack mount flip-up/flip-down LCD monitors – deep enclosure

SlimLine Micro™ Series

Military-grade 1U high sunlight readable rack mount flip-up/flip-down LCD monitors – shallow enclosure

SlimLine 1U™ Series

Military-grade 1U high sunlight readable flip-up LCD monitor with integral keyboard and trackball

SlimLine Lite II™ Series

Military-grade 2U high sunlight readable flip-up LCD monitors with integral keyboard and trackball

TwoView™ Series

Military-grade 2U/3U high sunlight readable rack mount dual flip-up LCD monitors with integral keyboard and trackball

Enhanced Light Guide

General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories is well qualified to enhance your existing LCD, OLED, Plasma or other display type. We can also provide a complete flat panel package, ready to drop in right out of the box.

General Digital has designed dozens of value-add LCD displays, featuring our NVIS LED backlights (edge-lit and direct-lit), light optimization films and optical enhancements/overlays.

While General Digital’s enhanced displays are available for purchase as a component (display only), they are also available for integration into most of our standard LCD monitor products and custom products, including:

LED Backlight Monitors: Specifications

Below, General Digital has provided a sampling of fully integrated Sunlight Readable Monitors that feature our enhanced displays found on the LED BACKLIGHT DISPLAYS: SPECIFICATIONS tab. These examples are provided to illustrate how our Sunlight Readable Displays can be integrated into General Digital’s standard family of products, or into a custom configuration. Please note that most of these products feature LED backlights, and some are NVIS-compatible. Links have been provided to data sheets, photometric data and control drawings. Please feel free to contact a Sales Engineer to help you understand these test results or answer your questions.
Click the Part Number to page down to the specifications for that monitor.

Part
Number		Model
Number		Product
Family		Display
Size
(Diag.)		Native
Resolution
(Pixels)		Data
Sheet		Control
Drawing
90-3240-010SGD-24D-999-46-00-18-58-IP29-121Saber Standalone
Solar/LS24		24.0"1920 x 1080
WUXGA		DownloadDownload
90-3215-005SGD-22D-987-46-00-18-58-IP29-121Saber Standalone
Solar/LS22		21.5"1920 x 1080
WUXGA		DownloadDownload
90-850-168UB-21U-995-dd-00-01-gg-EAjjGenStar III21.3" 1600 x 1200
UXGA		DownloadDownload
90-850-150SGD-20U-979-40-00-16-41-EP11Saber Standalone
Solar/LS20		20.1"1600 x 1200
UXGA		DownloadDownload
TBDUB-19W-992-dd-00-01-gg-EAjjGenStar III19.0"1280 x 1024
SXGA		DownloadDownload
90-850-115SNCMP-19W-967-61-00-51-25-EP27-077Saber PanelMount
Solar NVIS		19.0"1280 x 1024
SXGA		DownloadDownload
90-967-001SNBP-17W-956-76-00-15-69-ID52-153Barracuda PanelMount
Solar NVIS		17.0"1280 x 1024
SXGA		DownloadDownload
90-915-020SCMP-15X-954-32-00-01-35-0092-070Saber PanelMount Solar15.0"1024 x 768
XGA		DownloadDownload
90-959-007SNBS-15X-938-73-00-15-66-SA39-137Barracuda Standalone
Solar NVIS		15.0"1024 x 768
XGA		Download
90-713-014SNSL1-15X-939-32-69-02-04-0092SlimLine 1U Solar NVIS15.0"1024 x 768
XGA		Download
90-911-023SRH-15X-955-60-00-23-04-0092Rack Mount Hinge Solar15.0"1024 x 768
XGA		Download
90-450-021 SNMK-06X-908-77-00-00-82-0092-160Impact Solar NVIS6.5"1024 x 768
XGA		Download
90-3064-012SNBS-06V-907-71-00-15-04-SA31-000Barracuda Standalone
Solar NVIS		6.5"640 x 480
VGA		Download

Saber Standalone Solar/LS24

VESA Mount Sunlight Readable 24.0″ LCD Monitor
Photo of Saber Standalone Solar LCD monitor
  • Sunlight readable LCD monitor with LED backlight (Display Model #999)
    • 24.0 inch, 1920 x 1080 WUXGA resolution
    • Maximum brightness programmable up to 700+ nits
    • Low power, long life, LED backlight
    • 0% to 100% backlight dimming
  • Surface Capacitive Touch Screen Overlay
    • Antiglare etch and antireflective coating (specially selected for Air Traffic Control Tower Applications)
    • Optically bonded to LCD to minimize internal reflections, maximize contrast, and create a vandal shield for the display
  • Industrial-grade, Aluminum Enclosure
    • Supports VESA mounting
    • Front accessible silicone OSD with programmable brightness LED backlights
    • Speaker for alarm annunciation
    • Optional Panel Mount Adaptor Bracket
  • Smart Fan Controller
    • Automatically controls fan activation and fan speed to reduce noise
  • Integrated Power Supply
    • Power factor correction
    • Compliant with FAA-G-2100-H for harmonics and current limiting
  • Connectors
    • Analog VGA: DE-15 Socket
    • HDMI: 19-pin Plug
    • DVI-D: 30-pin Micro Cross Socket
    • Programming Port: DE-15 Plug
    • Power: IEC-320 AC Plug with On/Off rocker switch
    • Touch: DE-9 Socket
  • Operating temperature: 0° C to +50° C

 

Saber Standalone Solar/LS22

VESA Mount Sunlight Readable 21.5″ LCD Monitor
Part Number 90-3215-005
Photo of Saber Standalone Solar LCD monitor
  • Sunlight readable LCD monitor with LED backlight (Display Model #987)
    • 21.5 inch, 1920 x 1080 WUXGA resolution
    • Maximum brightness programmable up to 650+ nits
    • Low power, long life, LED backlight
    • 0% to 100% backlight dimming
  • Surface Capacitive Touch Screen Overlay
    • Antiglare etch and antireflective coating (specially selected for Air Traffic Control Tower Applications)
    • Optically bonded to LCD to minimize internal reflections, maximize contrast, and create a vandal shield for the display
  • Industrial-grade, Aluminum Enclosure
    • Supports VESA mounting
    • Front accessible silicone OSD with programmable brightness LED backlights
    • Speaker for alarm annunciation
    • Optional Panel Mount Adaptor Bracket
  • Smart Fan Controller
    • Automatically controls fan activation and fan speed to reduce noise
  • Integrated Power Supply
    • Power factor correction
    • Compliant with FAA-G-2100-H for harmonics and current limiting
  • Connectors
    • Analog VGA: DE-15 Socket
    • HDMI: 19-pin Plug
    • DVI-D: 30-pin Micro Cross Socket
    • Programming Port: DE-15 Plug
    • Power: IEC-320 AC Plug with On/Off rocker switch
    • Touch: DE-9 Socket
  • Operating temperature: 0° C to +50° C

 

Saber Standalone Solar/LS20 Sunlight Readable 20.1″ LCD Monitor

Mountable Sunlight Readable 20.1″ LCD Monitor
Photo of Saber Standalone Solar LCD monitor
Part Number 90-850-150
  • Sunlight readable LCD monitor with LED backlight (Display Model #979)
    • 20.1 inch, 1600 x 1200 UXGA resolution
    • Maximum brightness programmable up to 800 nits
    • Low power, long life, LED backlight
    • 0% to 100% backlight dimming
  • Surface Capacitive Touch Screen Overlay
    • Antireflective film mounted to rear to minimize internal reflections
  • Industrial-grade, Aluminum Enclosure
    • Supports VESA mounting
    • Front accessible silicone OSD with programmable brightness LED backlights
    • Speaker for alarm annunciation
    • Optional Panel Mount Adaptor Bracket
  • Smart Fan Controller
    • Automatically controls fan activation and fan speed to reduce noise
  • Integrated Power Supply (externally mounted)
    • Power factor correction
    • Auto power-on
  • Connectors
    • Analog VGA: DE-15 Socket
    • NTSC: BNC
    • DVI-D: 30-pin Micro Cross Socket
    • Power: IEC-320 AC Plug with On/Off rocker switch
    • Touch: DE-9 Socket
  • Operating temperature: 0° C to +50° C
  • Download the Data Sheet
  • Download the Control Drawing

 

Barracuda PanelMount Solar NVIS 17.0

Photo of Barracuda PanelMount Solar LCD monitor
Waterproof Outdoor Sunlight Readable 17.0″ LCD Monitor with NVG Compatibility
Part Number 90-967-001
  • Sunlight readable and NVIS-compatible LCD monitor with LED backlight (Display Model #956)
    • 17.0 inch, 1280 x 1024 SXGA resolution
    • Maximum brightness limited to 600 nits to conserve power/heat
    • Low power, long life, LED backlight
    • 0% to 100% backlight dimming
  • Glass-Film-Glass resistive touch sensor with antireflective coating
    • Includes circular polarizer and 1/4-wave retarder for maximum contrast
    • Includes EMI mesh for improved emissions
    • Optically bonded to LCD to minimize internal reflections, maximize contrast, and create a vandal shield for the display
  • Industrial-/marine-/military-grade IP67 panel mount enclosure
    • MIL-STD-810G 512.5 Procedure I/IP67
    • 10-button silicone keypad, LED backlit
      • NVIS/daylight buttons
  • Environmentally-sealed connectors (MIL-DTL-38999 style)
    • DVI: MIL-DTL-38999
    • Touch screen (USB): MIL-DTL-38999
    • Power: MIL-DTL-38999
  • Input power: +16 to +75 VDC
  • Operating temperature: -20° C to +50° C
  • Designed to meet EMI per MIL-STD-461F: CE-1010/CE-102/CS-114-1 (curves #2 & #5)/CS-116/RE-101 (RE-102-1)/RE-102 (RE-102-1)/RS-103
  • Download the MIL-STD-3009 Photometric Data for Display Model #956
  • Download the Control Drawing

 

Saber PanelMount Solar 15.0

Sunlight Readable 15.0″ LCD Monitor
Photo of Saber PanelMount Solar NVIS 19.0 LCD Monitor
Part Number 90-915-020
  • Sunlight readable panel mount LCD monitor with an LED backlight
    • 15.0 inch, 1024 x 768 XGA resolution
    • 1000 nit maximum brightness
    • Low power, long life, LED backlight
    • 5% to 100% backlight dimming
  • Surface capacitive touch screen with ideal etch finish
  • Industrial-grade enclosure with panel/console mount bezel
    • 7-button, tactile keypad with LED backlighting
    • Panel mount waterproof gasket
  • Connectors
    • Analog VGA: DE-15 Socket
    • NTSC Video: BNC Socket
    • Touch: DE-9 Socket
    • Power: 2W2 Socket
    • Input power: +12 VDC
  • Operating temperature: 0° C to +50° C
  • Download the Data Sheet

 

Barracuda Standalone Solar NVIS 15.0

Waterproof Outdoor Sunlight Readable 15.0″ LCD Monitor with NVG Compatibility
Part Number 90-959-007
Photo of Barracuda Standalone Solar NVIS 15.0 LCD monitor
  • Sunlight/daylight readable and NVIS-compatible LCD monitor with LED backlight (Display Model #938)
    • 15.0 inch, 1024 x 768 XGA resolution
    • Maximum brightness limited to 600 nits to conserve power/heat; 20 nits for NVIS mode
    • Low power (8 watts), long life, LED backlight
    • 0% to 100% backlight dimming
  • Glass-Film-Glass resistive touch sensor with antireflective coating
    • Includes circular polarizer and 1/4-wave retarder for maximum contrast
    • Optically bonded to LCD to minimize internal reflections, maximize contrast, and create a vandal shield for the display
  • Industrial-/marine-/military-grade IP67 standalone/mountable enclosure
    • 10-button tactile keypad
      • NVIS/daylight buttons
  • Environmentally-sealed connectors
    • DVI: LTWHJ-19PFFR-QS7001
    • Touch screen (USB): Type A
    • Power: 2W2 socket
    • Analog VGA: DE-15 socket (x2)
    • NTSC: TNC jack (x2)
  • Input power: +9 to +36 VDC (maximum power consumption = 50 watts)
  • Operating temperature: –20° C to +60° C
  • Accessories: External AC/DC power supply with sealed 2W2 connector (plug)

 

SlimLine 1U Solar NVIS 15.0

Sunlight Readable Flip-up 15.0″ LCD Monitor/Keyboard with NVG Compatibility
Part Number 90-713-014
Photo of SlimLine 1U Solar NVIS 15.0 LCD monitor
  • Sunlight/daylight readable and NVIS-compatible LCD monitor with LED backlight (Display Model #939)
    • 15.0 inch, 1024 x 768 XGA resolution
    • Maximum brightness limited to 600 nits to conserve power/heat; 20 nits for NVIS mode
    • Low power (8 watts), long life, LED backlight
    • 1% to 100% backlight dimming
  • Double-sided glass overlay
  • Industrial-/military-grade rack mount flip-up display with integral keyboard and trackball
    • 82-key, USB, military-grade keyboard with NVIS compatible backlit keys
  • Connectors
    • Analog VGA: DE-15 Socket
    • Keyboard/Trackball: DE-9 plug
    • Power: 6-pin Hirose circular
  • Input power: +12 VDC (maximum power consumption = 30 watts)
  • Operating temperature: -10° C to +50° C
  • Download the MIL-STD-3009 Photometric Data for Display Model #939

 

Rack Mount Hinge Solar 15.0

Sunlight Readable Flip-up 15.0″ LCD Monitor
Part Number 90-911-023
Photo of Rack Mount Hinge Solar 15.0 LCD monitor
  • Sunlight readable flip-up/-down LCD monitor/keyboard with LED backlight
    • 15.0 inch, 1024 x 768 XGA resolution
    • 1500 nit maximum brightness
    • Low power, long life, LED backlight
    • 0% to 100% backlight dimming
  • Double-sided antireflective glass overlay
  • 1U (1.75″ high) industrial-grade rack mount flip-up display
    • Drip proof from the front
    • 20″ slides with 5.5″ extension
  • Connectors
    • Analog VGA: DE-15 Socket
    • NTSC Video: BNC Socket
    • DVI: DVI-I Socket
    • HDMI: HDMI Socket
    • S-Video: 4-pin Mini-DIN Socket
    • Power: 2W2 Socket
  • Input power: +12 VDC (maximum power consumption = 25 watts)
  • Operating temperature: 0° C to +50° C
  • Download the Data Sheet

 

Impact Solar NVIS 6.5

Sunlight Readable 6.5″ LCD Monitor Kit with NVG Compatibility
Part Number 90-450-021
Photo of Impact Solar NVIS 6.5 LCD monitor
  • Sunlight readable open frame LCD monitor kit with LED backlight
    • 6.5 inch, 1024 x 768 XGA resolution
    • Maximum brightness of1000 nits
    • Low power, long life, LED backlight
    • 2% to 100% backlight dimming
    • Chemically strengthened glass vandal shield with AR coating
      • Optically bonded to reduce internal reflections and improve contrast in high ambient lighting conditions
  • Industrial-grade open frame monitor kit
    • Keypad attached to rear cover
  • Connectors
    • Video: Compact Flash Card for MPEG Video
    • Power: Waterproof DC Barrel Socket on 6″ pig tail (interfaces to Batterspace Battery Pack)
  • Input power: +12 VDC (Maximum Power = 21W)
  • Operating temperature: –0° C to +50° C
  • Includes external switch cable (buttons 1 and 2) from the media player
  • Download the MIL-STD-3009 Photometric Data for Display Model #908

 

Barracuda Standalone Solar NVIS 6.5

Outdoor Sunlight Readable 6.5″ LCD Monitor with NVG Compatibility
Part Number 90-3064-012
Photo of Barracuda Standalone Solar NVIS 6.5 LCD monitor
  • Sunlight readable and NVIS-compatible LCD monitor with LED backlight (Display Model #907)
    • 6.5 inch, 640 x 480 VGA resolution
    • Maximum brightness limited to 700+ nits to conserve power / heat
    • Low power, long life, LED backlight
    • 0% to 100% backlight dimming
  • Double-sided antireflective glass overlay
  • Industrial-/marine-/military-grade IP67 standalone/mountable enclosure
    • 10-key membrane keypad
      • NVIS/daylight buttons
  • Environmentally-sealed connectors
    • DVI: DVI-D socket
    • Analog VGA: DE-15 socket
    • Power: 2W2
    • Composite: BNC socket with dust cap
  • Input power: +12 VDC (maximum power consumption = 15 watts)
  • Operating temperature: -20° C to +50° C
  • Includes external +12 VDC output, 90-264 VAC input power supply
  • Download the MIL-STD-3009 Photometric Data for Display Model #907

LED Backlight Displays: Overview

Many Display Sizes Available

In response to customer demand, General Digital has engineered a multitude of sunlight readable and daylight readable LCD display solutions that feature OEM LCD displays and our custom-designed LED backlights (edge-lit and direct-lit), light optimization films and overlay enhancements. Our standard LCD display solutions range in size from 6.5 inch to 24.0 inch. New flat panel display sizes and resolutions, and subsequently, complete LCD monitor models, are being added regularly, or can be engineered upon customer request. Many of our sunlight and daylight readable display solutions also provide night vision goggle compatibility, as well.

Component or Monitor

Our enhanced display solutions may be purchased “off the shelf” for integration into your own product designs, or you may opt to have General Digital technicians expertly integrate the display of your choice into almost any of our monitor and display kit products. In addition, we can design and integrate the sunlight / daylight readable displays into a custom solution to meet customer-supplied design and performance requirements.

LED Backlight Advantages

Increasingly, LCD manufacturers are producing their LCDs with LED backlights, rather than with the traditional/legacy cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL). Their decision is motivated by the many advantages that LED backlights provide, such as:

  • Greater efficiency (brightness vs. power)
  • Lower cost
  • More durable solid-state design
  • Extended operating and storage temperatures
  • No mercury content
  • Faster startup times

Why are General Digital LED Backlights Necessary?

If LCD manufacturers are already manufacturing their LCD displays with LED backlights, you may wonder why General Digital produces its own value-add LED backlights. Most LCD manufacturers target large-volume markets for their LCD designs, where they can maximize their return on investment (ROI). Since competitive pressures from other suppliers exist in these markets, their products are designed to meet the bare essential requirements at a minimum cost in an attempt to achieve product acceptance and market competitiveness.

Traditionally, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of liquid crystal displays have underserved niche markets (e.g., military, avionics, marine, outdoor usage) that require very specialized display performance, such as extended operating temperatures, sunlight readability, night vision capability and long product life cycle. General Digital prides itself on solving industry problems and providing product solutions to these underserved and specialty markets. Customers find our LED backlights to be necessary to meet one or more of the following application requirements:

  • To provide superior brightness performance for use in high ambient lighting conditions or direct sunlight.
  • To convert a legacy LCD design (that meets a specific need) from a CCFL backlight to a comparable design using less power, with increased durability and efficiency.
  • To provide an LED backlight with greater reliability than the OEM design. Many OEM backlights have a mean time between failure (MTBF) between 30,000 and 70,000 hours. Typically, General Digital uses LEDs that have a have brightness rating in excess of 110,000 hours.
  • To provide a more efficient LED backlight design than the OEM LED backlight that provides customer-required performance at lower power consumption / heat dissipation. This requirement is especially important for display solutions that are housed in fanless or fully sealed enclosures.
  • To provide night vision (NVIS) goggle compatibility.
  • To provide, in combination with our LED controllers,  a wider dimming range than the OEM LED backlight / controller, as well as additional programmable functionality.

What Makes a Display Sunlight Readable?

There are many display performance attributes that must be considered when selecting a display to be used in high ambient lighting conditions or in direct sunlight, such as:

  • Brightness
  • Contrast
  • Dimming range
  • Viewing angle
  • Operating life
  • Power consumption
  • Heat dissipation
  • Reflectivity
  • Response time
  • Operating/storage temperature

OEMs provide the contrast performance of their LCDs in dark room conditions within their display specifications. While this information is an important indicator for consideration if the LCD is to be used indoors, it provides an inconclusive indication of how well the LCD will perform when exposed to high ambient lighting conditions (read our white paper, Not All Brightness is Created Equal). For this reason, General Digital quantifies the performance of our LED enhanced LCDs in our Optics Laboratory following the guidelines of MIL-STD-3009 (formerly MIL-L-85762-A).Often, users prequalify panels by how bright they are, employing the “if it is brighter, it must be better” mentality. While brightness may indeed be an important performance consideration for many applications, General Digital holds that the display’s contrast is even more important. Ultimately, it is the user’s ability to discern a difference between colors (contrast) that enables them to properly view information under varying lighting conditions—from total darkness to direct sunlight.

Following these guidelines, General Digital provides our customers with a host of performance metrics, most notably its Weber Contrast, its contrast under 10,000 foot candles of direct light and a Display Class. These metrics allow customers to compare our performance to the military’s standard of approval for display usefulness in direct sunlight, as well as the type of information that can be read under these conditions, ranging from numeric-only to live video. This data also will allow customers to compare our products to competitive alternatives on a level playing field.

General Digital’s Optical Laboratory

General Digital’s Optical Laboratory was created to provide quantification of the optical performance of an LCD under a variety of extreme ambient conditions along with raw intrinsic system characteristics. The data provided by the laboratory tests allows for numerical performance descriptions of each LCD display system. This enables the customer to compare displays across the entire General Digital display catalog and provide the ability to choose the correct product for the target environment while removing guesswork. To ensure accuracy and cross correlation, sunlight and NVIS measurements adhere to procedures and regulations outlined in MIL-L-85762A, and its successor, MIL-STD-3009. Other applicable measurements adhere to procedures and regulations outlined in “Video Electronics Standards Association Display Metrology Committee” (VESA) Flat Panel Display Measurement Standard Version 2.0 (June 1, 2001).

Enhanced LED Display Measurements

On the LED Backlit Displays: Specifications tab, we provide a table that summarizes our LED solutions. Within the table, you will find a part number for each display configuration listed. As changes are made to a baseline configuration, General Digital will assign a new and unique part number to the resulting configuration. In addition to the part number, a variety of data is supplied for each display.

Typically, General Digital attempts to standardize its measurements by applying an antireflective film to the surface of the LCD. However, it is not unusual for us to test the displays using a variety of other combinations of overlays (EMI filters, touch screens, vandal shields or films) that may be required to meet a specific application requirement.

Lastly, we maintain a record of the data that summarizes and compares the optical performance of the OEM LCD before our enhancements and improvements, as well as after modification. Much of this data has been acquired under the guidelines of MIL-STD-3009 (formerly MIL-L-85762-A).

The following is a standard list of carefully chosen measurements performed by General Digital’s Optical laboratory that provide all relevant information on dark/night, direct sunlight, ambient sunlight and night vision conditions.

Sunlight Readings

  • Dark Room Data
    • Luminance A (Nits) [1]
      • Measured in a dark room at optimal display brightness and contrast providing real world data. This data is provided for real world performance information.
    • Luminance B (Nits) [1]
      • Measured in a dark room at maximum display brightness and contrast, providing maximum brightness; however, display readability is reduced through loss of contrast. This metric is provided for inter-vendor comparisons.
    • Contrast Ratio
      • Contrast ratio of the display in a dark environment.
  • Sunlight Condition MIL-STD-3009 [2]
    • Weber Contrast [3]
      • Weber contrast (as defined by MIL-L-85762A) of the display under full diffuser and specular simulation. This simulates an outdoor bright sun condition (10,000 fc) with a secondary reflection of the sun (2,000 fL) off the monitor system.
    • Contrast Ratio [3]
      • Contrast ratio of the display under full diffuse and specular simulation sources. This simulates an outdoor bright sun condition (10,000 fc) with a secondary reflection of the sun (2,000 fL) off the monitor system.
    • Direct Sunlight Only Contrast [3]
      • Contrast ratio of the display under diffuse simulation source ONLY. This simulates an outdoor bright sun condition (10,000 fc).
    • Display Class (0-6) [2]
      • Classification of the display usability, 0 being not sunlight readable with text, image or video, black and white or otherwise, and 6 being readable given full color motion video.
  • LED Backlight Data
    • Rail Temperature °C
      • Temperature of the backlight illumination source in each drive condition.
    •  Watts
      • Power being consumed by the backlighting system in each drive condition.
    • LED MTBF (Hours)
      • Mean time before failure of the backlight system, this will change depending on type, vendor and model of illumination source.
  • NVIS (MIL-STD-3009)
    • U’V’
      • Color coordinates in the CIE 1976 (L’,u’,v’) color space of the display in NVIS mode (if equipped).
    • Error Radius
      • The radial deviation distance from the MIL-STD-3009 defined NVIS B CIE 1976 NVIS B white point.
    • NVIS Radiance B
      • The NVIS B radiance in nw/cm2/sr.

Drive Options

  • OEM Performance
    • Driven with the OEM or General Digital LED backlights at a power equal to the OEM backlights. This provides data on luminance improvements over OEM if equipped with our backlights.
  • OEM Brightness
    • Driven with the OEM or General Digital LED backlights to produce brightness equal to the OEM display brightness. This provides data on power consumption improvements over OEM if equipped with our backlights.
  • 1000 Nits
    • Driven with the OEM (if possible) or General Digital LED backlights to produce 1000 nits. This luminance is chosen as it is an industry recognized number for sunlight readability; however, the importance of contrast over brightness for sunlight readability must be emphasized. Please see white paper under the download tab on “MIL-STD-3009 Sunlight Simulation and Measurement Test Setup”.
  • 50° C Rail Temperature
    • Driven with General Digital LED backlights to determine the maximum output of the display with no active cooling. Many displays can be pushed beyond this threshold; however, active cooling or heat sinks may be required.

The metrics outlined above represent most common conditions; however, due to General Digital’s vast array of capabilities, experience and equipment, many more display measurements can be performed. Should further assistance be necessary, a Sales Engineer can be consulted for additional clarification.

LED Backlight Controllers

General Digital also designs and integrates our own line of intelligent LED backlight controllers to provide command, control and status of our LED-equipped NVIS-enhanced and NVIS/Sunlight Readable-enhanced displays and backlights. Again, these ruggedized products can be purchased from our stock or integrated by General Digital. Additionally, our software engineering staff can tailor our controller firmware to provide the precise performance necessary to meet a customer’s operational requirements. Typical requests include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Minimum and maximum brightness levels for NVIS luminance.
  • Minimum and maximum brightness levels for standard / sunlight readable luminance.
  • Brightness resolution (number of brightness steps between minimum and maximum set points).
  • Automatic brightness control algorithm adjustment based on ambient lighting conditions.

Other Controllers

General Digital also designs and assembles standard and custom microelectronic assemblies in house (e.g., embedded display heaters, cooling fans, touch screens, bezel buttons and potentiometers, OSD controls) that may be included in the final configuration. Since these designs are under our control, it is a simple task for us to program or tailor their performance to meet a variety of needs. More information is available on our controller products page or by speaking with a Sales Engineer.

LED Backlight Displays: Specifications

In the table below, General Digital has provided a list of our sunlight/daylight readable LCD displays that our design team has engineered for your purchase, or integration into one of General Digital’s many standard, semi-custom or custom products.

All of the displays listed feature either an “edge-lit” or “direct-lit” LED backlight, making the displays ideally suited for use in high ambient lighting conditions and/or in direct sunlight. In many cases, our LED backlight solutions also feature NVIS compatibility. The combination of these two performance abilities makes these enhanced displays great candidates for military and avionic (e.g., cockpit displays) applications, or other industrial applications that require NVIS compatibility.

Within the supplied table, you will find a part number for each display configuration listed. As changes are made to a baseline configuration, General Digital will assign a new and unique part number to the resulting configuration. In addition to the part number, a variety of data is supplied for each display configuration, which pertains to the OEM display’s attributes: diagonal viewing area size, resolution, response time, viewing angle and operating temperature. A summary of the specific display overlay(s) is also provided. Typically, General Digital attempts to standardize its measurements by applying an antireflective film to the surface of the LCD. However, it is not unusual for us to test the displays using a variety of other combinations of overlays (EMI filters, touch screens, vandal shields or films) that may be required to meet a specific application requirement.

Lastly, a link to a photometric report has been provided that will summarize and compare the optical performance of the OEM LCD before our enhancements and improvements, as well as after. Much of this data has been performed under the guidelines of MIL-STD-3009. In some instances, General Digital has also included optical data for multiple test configurations of the same reference LCD. For more information, please reference the LED BACKLIGHT DISPLAYS: OVERVIEW section.

Please feel free to contact a Sales Engineer to help you understand these test results or answer your questions.

Part
Number		Display Size
(Diagonal)		Native Resolution
(Pixels)		Viewing Angle
(H/V)		Response
Time (ms)		Operating
Temp.		Overlay Notes
90-4240-00224.0"1920 x 1080 WUXGA±89°/±89°250°–50° COEM Only, AR Film,
AR & AG Film
90-4215-00521.5"1920 x 1080 WUXGA±89°/±89°160°–50° CAR Film
90-4215-00221.5"1920 x 1080 WUXGA±89°/±89°50°–50° CAR Film
90-4213-00121.3"1600 x 1200 UXGA±88°/±88°50°–50° COEM Only, AR & AG Film,
AR Film Only
90-4190-00519.0"1280 x 1024 SXGA±85°/±80°300°–50° CNo Overlay, AR Film,
AR & AG Film
90-4170-00117.0"1280 x 1024 SXGA±85°/±85°8-30°–85° CAR Film
90-4154-00215.4"1680 x 1050 WSXGA+±65°/±55°180°–50° C
90-4150-00915.0"1024 x 768 XGA±80°/±80°25-20°–70° CAR on OEM Display
90-4150-00515.0"1024 x 768 XGA±80°/+80°, -60°18-10°–70° CAR Film
90-4150-00315.0"1024 x 768 XGA±75°/+60°, -50°18-20°–70° CAR Film
90-4150-00215.0"1024 x 768 XGA±80°/+80°, -60°18-10°–70° CAR Film
90-4141-00114.1"1280 x 800 WXGA±80°/±70°16-30°–80° CAR Film
90-4121-00112.1"1024 x 768 XGA±80°/±70°16-30°–70° CAR Film
90-4104-00610.4"1024 x 768 XGA±80°/±80°18-30°–80° CPolished OEM Surface
90-4104-00410.4"1024 x 768 XGA±88°/±88°
(Super MVA
Technology)		25-20°–70° COptically Bonded
Heater Glass, EMI Mesh,
CP Resistive Touch, AR
90-4104-00310.4"1024 x 768 XGA ±88°/±88°
(Super MVA
Technology)		25-20°–70° C Heater Glass, EMI Mesh,
CP Resistive Touch, AR
90-4104-00210.4"1024 x 768 XGA ±88°/±88°
(Super MVA
Technology)		25-20°–70° CAR Film
90-4065-0026.5"1024 x 768 XGA±80°/+80°, -60°25-20°–70° C No Overlay, Optically Bonded
EMI Screen and LCD Heater,
AR Glass
90-4065-0016.5"640 x 480 VGA±80°/±80°25-30°–80° CPolished AR on OEM Display

Within the the photometric data, General Digital provides a Weber contrast and class value for each of the display configurations. This information describes the degree of sunlight readability per MIL-STD-3009. The chart provided below summarizes these values. For additional information, please read our MIL-STD-3009 Sunlight Measurement Test Setup white paper.

WEBER CONTRAST LOOKUP CHART1

Contrast RangeClassShort DescriptionIdeal Applications
0 to 1.491Not sunlight readableNot suitable for direct sunlight use
1.50 to 1.992Numeric ONLYUseful for numerics in direct sunlight
2.00 to 2.993AlphanumericUseful for characters and numerical data
3.00 to 4.6594 Graphic symbols and alphanumerics Useful for characters, numerical data and static images
4.66 to 10.295Acceptable video performanceUseful for characters, numerical data, static images and low quality video
(6 √2 shades of gray counting off as 1)
10.30 and higher 6Best case video performanceUseful for characters, numerical data, static images and high quality video
(8 or more √2 shades of gray counting off as 1)

1 Contrast range and descriptions obtained from page 34 of MIL-L-85762A.

Specifications subject to change without notice or obligation.

Documentation

All documents will open in a separate browser window.

Data Sheet

Download nowSunlight Readable/NVIS Dual LED Driver for LCDs Data Sheet 999-0421-406

 

Presentation

Download nowMIL-STD-3009 Sunlight Simulation and Measurement Test Setup

 

White Papers

Download nowNot All Brightness Is Created Equal – A Discussion of LCD Brightness Values for the Real World

Download nowDéjà Vue – Finding a Better Path to Specifying an Enhanced LCD to Meet Your RFQ

Download nowLED Backlights Improve Performance and Longevity of Sunlight Readable NVIS-Compatible Displays

Download nowWeber Contrast Class – The True Measure of Sunlight Readable Displays

Temperature and Humidity Testing Available on Contract

In response to the challenging needs of our diverse customer base, General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories provides on-site thermal and humidty testing and data logging services. Many customers find themselves faced with meeting strict military, industrial, or harsh environmental requirements. Some of these requirements include

  • MIL-STD-810F (paragraphs 501.4, 502.4, 507.4)
  • ESS (Environmental Stress Screening)
  • Solar Loading (for use in direct sunlight)

As more and more LCDs, OLEDs and Plasma displays find their way into outdoor applications, the need becomes far greater for them to not only be able to withstand severe temperature extremes (heat and cold) and solar radiation, but the flat panel display must also be readable when exposed to extreme optical conditions such as direct and indirect sunlight, glare and reflection. On an average sunny day, the illumination of ambient daylight is approximately 30,000 nits. Therefore, brightness should be over 900 nits to get a clear image for an outdoor application.

Most off-the-shelf LCDs, OLEDs and Plasma displays are not properly equipped to handle all of these requirements. General Digital Optical Bonding Laboratories offers several brightness enhancement solutions to meet/exceed our customer’s requirements.