Application Watch: Dot-matrix LCD module sector releases VA types for medical field

China suppliers of dot-matrix LCD modules look to product enhancements to shore up the technology's market in medical electronics.

Spurred by high-growth medical electronics, mainland China's dot-matrix LCD module industry is shifting R&D direction to maximize the screen’s still-sizeable hold on the application. Makers build on the category's advantages of clear displays, enhanced stability and long operating life span. Xiamen Precise Display Co. Ltd will do so by adopting vertical alignment or VA technology. This is to achieve deeper black levels for greater contrast ratios, and wider viewing angles than mainstream units based on TN.

A number of suppliers are expected to follow suit amid healthy demand, which is expected to remain so in the near term. More than 80 percent of medical electronic products use dot-matrix LCD modules, and the others the older EL and the more advanced LED variants.

At the same time, there is a developing trend for TFT units, spurred by updates in the application. Requirement is on the rise, prompting some manufacturers to steer initiatives in recent years to this LCD technology instead. For medical electronics, the specifications are higher than those commonly used in mobile electronics. These include 1024x1280 or 1200x1600 vertical or 1280x1204 or 1600x1200 horizontal resolution, 600:1 to 1,000:1 contrast ratio and 600 to 700cd/sqm brightness. The last feature stays at the same level for 30,000 hours, with some capable of 100,000 hours. In terms of grayscale, such displays support 10 bits, which correspond to 1,024 shades of gray. Xiamen Eshine Display Co. Ltd has released large TFT-LCD modules for this market.

Despite the TFT incursion, mainland makers will sustain production of alphanumeric and graphic dot-matrix LCD modules, buoyed by stable sales growth of about 5 percent.

Interviewed Taiwan supplier Palm Technology Co. Ltd has a brighter outlook for the line in this application, confident of maintaining a 10 percent annual revenue increase through 2019. From exports, it projects steady rise of at least 5 percent in coming years. The supplier's main overseas destinations include Europe, North America, East Asia and the Middle East. Dot-matrix LCD modules for medical electronics represents about 20 percent of its total shipments.

In general, the majority of local enterprises are ready to raise output.

Based on projections published in Sohu News, the mainland medical electronics industry will realize a CAGR of nearly 24 percent between 2016 and 2018, hitting $36.6 billion by the end of the period. Fueling high growth are the burgeoning markets for mobile medical devices and smart medical systems for remote monitoring.

There are about 300 suppliers offering dot-matrix LCD modules for medical electronics in the mainland. Over 60 percent of the companies are locally owned and the rest with investment mostly from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Products for the application account for 10 to 30 percent of their aggregate shipments, and TFT-LCD and OLED modules and other optoelectronic components make up the remainder.

More than half of the manufacturers are in Guangdong province, specifically the cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan and Zhongshan. The others are in Xiamen in Fujian, Ningbo in Zhejiang, Suzhou in Jiangsu, and Shanghai.

Only a few new entrants are expected in the line as most will venture to TFT-LCD module development and production.

Types for medical electronics

Widely produced dot-matrix LCD modules for the medical industry include TN, STN, FSTN and HTN types. These come in variants with a 6 or 12 o'clock viewing angle. The rated voltage is 3 or 5V.

Most suppliers ensure products comply with CE, RoHS and UL standards.

The majority continues to emphasize flexibility to customization. Releases based on buyers' specifications account for more than 80 percent of shipments.

The main materials and components include liquid crystal, ITO film, LED backlight, PCBs and ICs, most of which are purchased locally. There are makers with in-house capability to turn out LCD panels.

Some companies turn to Taiwan and the US for ICs. Sitronix and Novatek are among their sources. For polarizers, Sumitomo Chemical is a key provider.

The cost of manufacturing inputs has remained stable, keeping prices unchanged. The majority of suppliers said this trend will persist in the months ahead.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our mainland China-based market analyst for representing current trends in LCD modules for medical electronics from mainland China and Taiwan makers.

STN dot-matrix LCD module has white LED backlighting

The model Easttop-1 dot-matrix LCD module from Easttop Display Co. Ltd has an STN negative, blue and transmissive display, and a 12 o'clock viewing angle. It integrates an RA6963 controller and adopts an 8-bit 8080 interface.

The white LED-backlit unit uses 1/128 duty and 1/12 bias drive method. Dimensions are 170x92.8x15mm, with the viewing area in 127x72mm.

The order quantity is negotiable. Delivery is within 7 days.

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TFT-LCD module renders in 240x320 dots

Palm Technology Co. Ltd's model PT0242432-D101 TFT-LCD module has a 2.4in screen with 0.153x0.153mm dot pitch. It supports 240x320-dot RGB resolution and 262,000 colors.

The unit adopts a 3-wire SPI and operates in -20 to 70 C. The active area is 36.72x48.96mm and the module 42.72x60.26x3.55mm.

The negotiable minimum order has a 7-day delivery lead time.

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FSTN, STN dot-matrix LCD module

Xiamen Eshine Display Co. Ltd offers model EC1602A dot-matrix LCD module in FSTN and STN variants. This RoHS-compliant unit is LED-backlit and has 1/16 duty cycle and 5V rating. A 3.3V version is also available.

The order quantity is negotiable. Delivery lead time is 7 days.

138x64-dot STN negative LCD module

This dot-matrix LCD module from Xiamen Lightpower Technology Co. Ltd, LTBM-12864D model, renders in 138x64 dots and has a 6 o'clock viewing angle. The 5V STN negative, blue and transmissive type uses a white backlight and operates in -20 to 70 C.

The minimum order is 100 sets and the delivery lead time is 15 days.

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