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Training Manual

Principle of LCD Display

FILE NO.

CONTENTS
Pages
1. Construction of LCD Display ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 - 5
1-1 Principle of LCD Display ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
1-2 Construction of LCD Display --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 - 3
1-3 Main Component of LCD Display --------------------------------------------------------------- 4 - 5
2. Principle of Liquid Crystal --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 - 8
2-1 Liquid Crystal --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
2-2 Rubbing-process------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 - 7
2-3 Operation of Liquid Crystal ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
3. Principle of LCD --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 - 11
3-1 Operation of Polarized Board for LCD Panel (Shutter)----------------------------------------- 9
3-2 Operation of Alignment Film------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
3-3 Operation of LCD Panel ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 - 11
3-4 Transparent Electrode -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
4. Type of LCD Display Construction ------------------------------------------------------------ 12 - 13
4-1 Twisted Nematic (TN) Type -------------------------------------------------------------------- 12- 13
4-2 Super TN (STN) Type---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12- 13
4-3 Triple STN (TSTN) Type / Film STN (FSTN) Type --------------------------------------- 12- 13
5. System of LCD Display ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 - 20
5-1 Dot-Matrix System ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
5-2 Colorization ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
5-3 Drive System -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
5-4 Passive Matrix System-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 - 17
5-5 Active Matrix System ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 - 19
5-6 Drive of Active Matrix System----------------------------------------------------------------- 19 - 20
6. Improvement Technology of LCD Display -------------------------------------------------- 21 - 27
6-1 Subject of LCD Display ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
6-1-1 Angle of View ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
6-1-2 Response Characteristic--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
6-2 Angle of View-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22
6-3 Multi-Domain System --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23
6-4 MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) System ----------------------------------------------- 24
6-5 IPS (In-Plain Switching) System ------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
6-6 Optically Compensated Film ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26
6-7 OCB (Optically Compensated Birefringence) System ---------------------------------------- 26
6-8 Improvement of Response Speed ----------------------------------------------------------------- 27
6-8-1 Inpulse System--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27
6-8-2 FFD (Feed Forward Driving) System ----------------------------------------------------------- 27
7. Appendix ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 - 31
7-1 Backlight-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
7-2 LVDS Circuit--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29
7-3 Block Diagram Example ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30 - 31

REFERENCE NO. TI5110LCD

Construction of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

1. Construction of LCD Display


1-1 Principle of LCD Display
The LCD (Liquid Crystal Device) Display is used to display the electric signal, converted from picture
data similar to a CRT display. The transistor (TFT) switched by the electric signal changes the transmission to light in small picture elements (pixels) of the LCD. The LCD display makes the picture by grouping
these elements of each RGB color.

1-2 Construction of LCD Display


LCD Display
Liquid Crystal is packed between the board modules (TFT and Common) and the LCD panel (or LCD
shutter) is constructed. A back light is attached to the LCD panel for LCD Display.

Board Module (Common Electrode)


The Common Electrode consists of a polarized board, a color filter, and a transparent electrode on a
glass plate. An alignment film is formed on the transparent electrode.

Board Module (TFT Electrode)


The TFT Electrode consists of a polarized board and a transparent electrode (pixel electrode and drive
transistor) on a glass plate. An alignment film is formed on the transparent electrode.

Backlight
A fluorescent light is used for the Backlight.

TFT: Thin Film Transistor


LCD Panel and LCD Shutter: They are the same things, but in the explanation LCD panel is used
for structure and LCD shutter is used for function.

-2-

Construction of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

Backlight
Polarized
Board
Glass
Plate

Pixel
(Picture Element)
Transparent
TFT
Electrode
(Pixel, TFT)
Transparent
Electrode
(Common)
Color Filter
Glass
Plate
Polarized
Board

Board
Module
(TFT side)
LCD Layer

Board Module
(Common side)

The light of each picture element is transmitted


by switching the drive transistor (TFT) on and off.

Note: Alignment film is not


shown in this figure.

Fig. 1 Construction

of LCD Display

(Transparent Type TFT LCD)


-3-

Construction of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

1-3 Main component of LCD Display


LCD Shutter
Supplying voltage to the transparent electrodes between the pixel and common sides changes the
arrangement of liquid crystal. By assembling two polarized boards, the transfer of light from the backlight
can be controlled by the transparent ratio of the LCD Shutter.

Liquid Crystal
Liquid Crystal is a material whose state is between a solid and a liquid. It has both characteristics of
solids and liquids, and generally it is a white turbid liquid. Its molecules are normally arranged comparatively opaque and change to transparent with the application of voltage or heat.

Transparent Electrode (Film)


An LCD shutter is operated by supplying voltage derived from the video signal. Transparent film is used
for its electrode.

Alignment Film
This is a film for arranging liquid crystal molecules and is made of Polymid resin.

Polarized Board
The light with a specified direction passes through a polarized board.

Drive Transistor
The thin film transistor (TFT) is used to drive the LCD shutter of each pixel.

Color Filter
It is a filter with three colors (R, G, B) arranged for each pixel.

Backlight
Liquid crystal does not emit light. A light source is needed for display. The light source placed on the
reverse side of the LCD panel is called Backlight.

-4-

Construction of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

Backlight

Polarized
Glass
Board
Plate
Transparent Electrode
(Pixel, TFT)
Module
(Back)
LCD
Shutter

Alignment Film
Liquid Crystal
Alignment Film
Transparent Electrode
(Common)
Color Filter
Glass Plate
Polarized
Board

LCD Layer
Module
(Front)

Fig. 2 Construction

of LCD Display

(Cross Section)

Backlight

LCD Panel
(LCD Shutter)

LCD
Display

LCD
Module
TFT Display
Drive Circuit
(with IC)
-5-

Fig. 3 Assembly of LCD Display

Principle of Liquid Crystal

Training Manual Principle of LCD

2. Principle of Liquid Crystal


2-1 Liquid Crystal
What is Liquid Crystal?
Liquid Crystal is a material whose state is between a solid and liquid. It has characteristics of both solids
and liquids, and generally is a white turbid liquid. Its molecules are normally arranged comparatively
opaque and change to transparent with the application of voltage or heat.
Almost all the materials consist of an organic compound taking the form of a slender stick or a flat plate.
There are three types of liquid crystal as shown in Fig. 4, and they depend on the construction and
arrangement of molecules.
Generally Nematic liquid crystal is used for the display apparatus.

(a) Smectic
Molecules are in layers and arranged parallel to each other. The center of gravity is arranged at random
in the layer.

(b) Nematic
Molecules are not in layers. They are arranged parallel. The center of gravity is able to move freely to the
major axis.

(c) Cholesteric
Molecules are in layers and arranged parallel. The arranging direction of the major axis for the neighboring layers is shifted gradually.
In order to use liquid crystal for display, it is necessary to regularly arrange the molecules of Nematic
(Rubbing-process).

2-2 Rubbing-process
After chemicals for arranging are put on the glass plate, they are hardened, and then the surface on the
plate is rubbed with a cloth to fix the direction of the gaps that are made. The arranging direction of molecules is settled in the gaps.
This process is used to change the characteristics so the molecules that touch the rubbed surface are
arranged to the major axis of the rubbed direction.
This thin film on the glass plate is called Alignment film.

-6-

Principle of Liquid Crystal

Training Manual Principle of LCD

(a) Smectic

(b) Nematic

(c) Cholesteric

Fig. 4 Liquid Crystal

Liquid Crystal Molecule


Natural Condition
Arranging

Rubbing
Direction
Alignment Film

Fig. 5 Rubbing-Process

-7-

Principle of Liquid Crystal

Training Manual Principle of LCD

2-3 Operation of Liquid Crystal


The chemistry substance required for liquid crystal material is one that reacts so that the arrangement
direction is changed according to an applied electric field.
In the LCD display, a liquid crystal is placed between two electrodes. When the voltage is supplied
between them, an electric field is generated in the liquid crystal, and liquid crystal molecules are moved
and arranged. The Backlight applied to the liquid crystal is either passed or blocked according to the
arrangement of the molecules.
If an electric field from an external source is applied to liquid crystal, electric dipoles will be generated
that will react to the intensity and direction of the electric field. Through the operation of these electric
dipoles and the electric field, the power changing direction of liquid crystal molecules is generated.
Therefore, according to an external electric field, liquid crystal molecules move and change direction
from horizontal to vertical.

Transparent
Electrode

Electric
Field

Liquid Crystal

Electric
Field

Liquid Crystal
Molecule

Electric
Dipole

Fig. 6 Operation of Liquid Crystal

-8-

Principle of LCD

Training Manual Principle of LCD

3. Principle of LCD
3-1 Operation of Polarized Board for LCD Panel (Shutter)
Light is an electromagnetic wave that is oscillating at right angles to the direction of advance. In fact, the
oscillating directions of all light is mixed. A polarized board can let only the light in the specific direction
pass from the light with which these various oscillating directions were mixed. Therefore, only the light of
the same direction as the polarization direction of a polarized board can be taken out by letting the light
pass through this polarized board. That is, if the oscillating direction of light and the direction of a polarized board are in agreement, the light will pass through a polarized board. Moreover, if the direction of a
polarized board differs from the oscillating direction of light, the light cannot pass through a polarized
board. When the oscillating direction of a polarized board and light are shifted 90(right-angled), the light
is blocked completely. The light passes and looks bright if the two boards are in the same direction when
looking at two polarized boards in piles, however, if shifted at right-angles, the light is blocked and looks
dark.
Oscillating direction of light

Oscillating direction of light

Polarized
Board

The direction of a
polarized board differs
from the oscillating
direction of light

The oscillating direction


of light and the direction
of a polarized board are
in agreement.

Passage
Light The two boards are
the same directions.

White

Fig. 7 Operation of
Polarized Board

Interception
Light The two boards are
shifted right-angled.

Black

-9-

Fig. 8 Operation of
Polarized Board

Principle of Liquid Crystal

Training Manual Principle of LCD

3-2 Operation of Alignment Film


Liquid crystal is inserted into alignment films of an upper and lower plate that have the direction of
grooves shifted by 90 on the LCD display. The liquid crystal molecules of upper alignment plate are
arranged along with the upper alignment film. The liquid crystal molecules of lower alignment plate are
arranged along with the lower alignment film. The liquid crystal layer between these alignment films is
twisted little by little and is arranged so that a spiral is formed. Light entering through the first alignment
plate will have its oscillating direction twisted 90 by the liquid crystal layer between the alignment films.
Now the direction of oscillation is aligned with the second alignment plate and the light will pass through.

Alignment
Plate

Alignment
Film

Direction
of Groove

Liquid
Crystal
Molecule

By the upper-and-lower
alignment films, spirally, a
liquid crystal molecules are
twisted 90 and arranged.

Alignment
Film

Direction
of Groove

Fig. 9 Operation of
Alignment Film

3-3 Operation of LCD Panel


In the LCD panel, a liquid crystal is inserted and enclosed between two glass plates. The polarized
board, transparent electrode, and the alignment film are formed on these glass plates. The light can be
passed or blocked by supplying voltage or not to this LCD panel.
In the condition (Switch-Off) that the voltage is not supplied, the liquid crystal molecules are twisted 90
sideways and arranged spirally. The oscillating direction of the light that passed the upper polarized
board is changed by the twisted liquid crystal molecule arrangement. Therefore, the direction of a polarized board and the oscillating direction of the light which is shifted 90 and arranged become the same,
and this light can now pass through a polarized board. This is the liquid crystal shutter-on condition and
an LCD panel (LCD shutter) passes the light.
-10-

Principle of Liquid Crystal

Training Manual Principle of LCD

On the contrary, in the condition (Switch-On) that voltage is supplied, the liquid crystal molecules are
arranged in a line at right angles to a glass plate. Since vertical liquid crystal molecules do not affect the
oscillating direction of light, the light that passed the upper polarized board passes as it is without changing the oscillating direction. Since the oscillating direction of this light differs from direction of the lower
polarized board which is shifted 90 and arranged, the light collides with this polarized board and cannot
pass. This is the liquid crystal shutter-off condition and the LCD panel (LCD shutter) blocks the light.
This is the basic structure (OnOff of the light by the LCD shutter) of an LCD panel. It is a sandwich
structure of the upper and lower sides of transparent electrodes, alignment films, and polarized boards,
with an enclosed liquid crystal material between them.
The LCD panel shown in Fig. 10 is a type of panel that changes the light into a passage condition when
voltage is not supplied between the upper-and-lower polarized boards that are arranged at 90. This type
of panel has the advantage that black contrast is improved, and it usually works well. This mode is called
Normally White Mode.
An LCD panel that passes light when voltage is not supplied is referred to as Normally Black Mode. In
practice, with this type (when the upper-and-lower polarized boards are arranged in the same direction),
displaying perfect black becomes difficult due to the leakage of light caused by variations in the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules.

Lig

Lig

ht

ht
Polarized
Board
Transparent
Electrode
(Upper)

Polarized
Board
Transparent
Electrode
(Upper)

Alignment
Film

Alignment
Film
Liquid
Crystal

Liquid
Crystal

Alignment
Film
Transparent
Electrode
(Lower)
Polarized
Board

Alignment
Film
Transparent
Electrode
(Lower)
Polarized
Board

Fig. 10 Operation of
Passage

Interception

LCD Panel

3-4 Transparent Electrode


In order to generate an electric field in liquid crystal, voltage is supplied to the upper-and-lower electrodes. If metal is used for these electrodes, the light is interrupted by this metal and cannot pass into the
liquid crystal. Therefore, a transparent electrode that passes light is used for the electrode of the LCD
shutter.
-11-

Type of LCD Display Construction

Training Manual Principle of LCD

4 Type of LCD Display Construction


4-1 Twisted Nematic (TN) Type
A Nematic type of LCD Display where the liquid crystal molecules are twisted 90 between upper and
lower boards is called a Twisted Nematic type (TN type) liquid crystal.
Most LCD displays are of this type and feature high contrast (ratio) under low voltage and power.

4-2 Super TN (STN) Type


Super TN type (STN type) LCD Displays are used for LCD televisions, personal computer monitors, cellular phones, etc. A liquid crystal material developed to improve visual characteristics, such as contrast
ratio is used.
In this STN type liquid crystal molecules are twisted 180 to 270 and arranged between upper and lower
electrodes. By supplying voltage to this liquid crystal, the transparent ratio of light changes more steeply.
Therefore, with the STN type as compared to the TN type, contrast and rise characteristic of the voltage
(response of switch On and Off) are improved, and a clearer picture on larger screens becomes possible.

4-3 Triple STN (TSTN) Type / Film STN (FSTN) Type


A fault of the STN type is that the display colors during On and Off of the LCD shutter become yellowish
green and navy blue. (In TN type, they are white and black.) This is because light of a specific wavelength is reflected and scattered by the thickness of the LCD panel. Therefore, even if a color filter of
RGB is attached to an STN type liquid crystal, bluish green is mixed with the colors from black, gray to
white, and a natural color picture cannot be displayed. The triple STN type (TSTN type) and the film STN
type (FSTN type) have been developed as an advanced type of STN.
In the TSTN type, optically compensated films (high polymer films) which sandwich the upper and lower
LCD panels are used. They compensate for the twist of the light crystal cell, and the display colors of yellowish green and navy blue are changed to the correct white and black. The FSTN type uses a single
optically compensated film

-12-

Type of LCD Display Construction

TN Type

Training Manual Principle of LCD

Module

LCD Layer

Module
Twist of molecule
(90)

STN Type
Module

LCD Layer

Module
Twist of molecule
(180 - 270)

TSTN Type
Optically
Compensated
Film
Module

LCD Layer

Module
Optically
Compensated
Film
Fig. 11 Type of LCD Display Construction
-13-

System of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

5 System of LCD Display


5-1 Dot-Matrix System
LCD displays have two drive systems, Segment and Dot-Matrix. The Dot-Matrix system is used for LCD
television displays.
The picture elements (pixels) of the display unit are arranged horizontally (X line) and vertically (Y row)
by this Dot-Matrix system, and various characteristics and figures can be displayed.
Fig. 12 shows a matrix of X x Y = 10 (pixels) with the character Y displayed. In this Dot-Matrix system,
by making the size of a pixel smaller and increasing the whole number of pixels, the big screen with fine
character or picture becomes possible.
With the present liquid crystal manufacture technology, the number of pixels per inch has reached
200ppi*, and very high definition screen display is possible. Moreover, the number of pixels of an LCD
display panel corresponding to bigger screen sizes can be specified and manufactured. For example, the
number of pixels of the SXGA* panel is about 1,300,000 (1,280 x 1,024 = 1,310,720 pixels).

ppi: pixel per inch


SXGA: Super eXtended Graphics Array

R G B

In colorization of LCD panel,


one pixel consists of 3 RGB
dots (sub-pixels).

A character or a figure is
displayed by making the
pixel of each X and Y intersection turn on (or off).

Y
Fig. 12 Dot-Matrix System

-14-

System of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

5-2 Colorization
Since an LCD shutter only passes or blocks light, in itself it cannot display a color picture. The color picture is made by mixing the three colors of RGB (three primary colors of light) respectively, like the CRT
color television. The color LCD panel has a color filter of RGB attached to the monochrome panel. See
Fig. 13. In this color LCD panel, by controlling the voltages and the waveforms that are supplied at each
RGB pixel, the transparent ratio is controlled and hue and brightness are adjusted. Therefore, smaller
pixels and more numbers of pixels are required for the color LCD Display. For example, although the
SXGA panel described before has about 1,300,000 pixels, in colorization, there are about 4 million dots
(sub-pixels).

Backlight

Backlight

ite

ite

Wh

Wh
r

lo
Co

R G
B

m
hro
c
o

Mo

Color Filter LCD Shutter

LCD Shutter

Color Panel

Monochrome Panel
Fig. 13 Colorization of LCD Display

-15-

System of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

5-3 Drive System


The drive systems for LCD display are divided into the following classifications:
The Static Drive System, which is seldom used;
The Passive Matrix System, which is used for still pictures, such as calculators and notebook PCs;
The Active Matrix System, which is suitable for high definition and the high-speed response needed for
big screen LCD television.

Drive System

Static Drive System


Dynamic Drive System

Passive Matrix System

Classification of LCD Drive System

Active Matrix System

5-4 Passive Matrix System


In the structure of a passive matrix system, Y electrodes of the vertical direction (Y-direction) are formed
in upper glass plate, and X electrodes of the horizontal direction (X direction) are formed in lower glass
plate as a matrix. The liquid crystal molecules are sandwiched between these electrodes. By supplying
voltage between the Y electrode and the X electrode in sequence, at a certain time, an electric field is
generated in the liquid crystal where the selected Y electrode and X electrode cross. Therefore, the liquid
crystal molecules of this pixel address (X, Y electrode intersection) change arrangement and an LCD
shutter is turned On or Off.

Y Electrode
Y0

Y1

Y2

Y3

Y4

Glass
Plate
X0
X1
X2
X3

Liquid
Crystal
Layer

X4
Glass
Plate

X Electrode

These electrodes are


transparent electrodes.

Fig. 14 Passive Matrix System

-16-

System of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

Y1
Y0

Y1

Y2

LCD shutter is turned on


or turned off in this
address (X2, Y1).

X0
X1
X2

Liquid
Crystal

X3
X2
Fig. 15 Passive Matrix System

In the dynamic drive system, since the electric signal (voltage) is supplied to the Y electrode and the X
electrode in sequence, the number of pixels which makes all pixels (the total number of pixels are X x
Y) turn on or off becomes X+Y. Therefore, compared with the static drive system that has an independent electrode for each pixel, the number of electrodes of the dynamic drive system is very few.
However, with this dynamic drive system, since the electrode itself is the wiring, it has resistance that
cannot be disregarded in the big screens. This resistance causes the speed of the shutter to become
slower. Therefore, when displaying moving pictures etc., an afterimage is generated.
This passive matrix system is not suitable for LCD televisions with big screens that require moving pictures and high resolution.
The active matrix system was developed in order to overcome these faults.

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System of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

5-5 Active Matrix System


In the active matrix system, a switch element is attached for every pixel at the intersection of the X and Yelectrodes of a passive matrix system. Each pixel is now controlled by the switch element (active element). Since the switch for each pixel is turned On and Off independently, the response speed is
increased. Thin Film Transistor (TFT) is used for the switch element and is attached on the glass board.
The LCD display using this TFT is called TFT LCD display.
The upper electrode for the whole pattern is formed on the upper glass plate and is called the Common
Electrode. A pixel electrode (pixel pattern), TFT (switch element) which drives a pixel electrode, and X
electrode for gate input and Y electrode for source input of TFT are formed on the lower glass plate. In
this structure, the electric field is generated in the area between the pixel electrode and the common
electrode, and the LCD shutter for 1 pixel is operated.
When an electric signal (voltage) is supplied to the Y and X electrode of TFT, TFT is turned On, and the
liquid crystal molecules are operated as a light switch. Refer to Fig. 17 (Address X1 and Y0).
Glass Plate
(Upper)

COMMON
Electrode

Pixel Electrode
(Pixel Pattern)

Liquid
Crystal
Layer

X Electrode
Glass Plate
(Lower)

Y Electrode

Equivalent Circuit
(TFT)

Liquid
Crystal

Y0

Y Electrode
Y1

COMMON
Electrode

Matrix System

Equivalent Circuit
(Switch)
COMMON

COMMON
COMMON
Electrode

Fig. 16 Structure of Active

TFT
(Switch Element)

Liquid
Crystal

Pixel
Electrode

Drain

Drain

X1
X Electrode X1
X2
TFT

Pixel Electrode

X1
Gate

Gate

Source

Source
Y0

TFT

By TFT, the shutter of a pixel at the


address (X1, Y0) is turned On or Off.

-18-

Y0

Switch
(On / Off)

Fig. 17 Equivalent Circuit of


Active Matrix System

System of LCD Display

Y0

Y1

Training Manual Principle of LCD

Y2

Y3
X0

TFT (Switch)
Liquid Crystal
COMMON Electrode

X1
X2
X3

The LCD shutter is operated by


TFT at the address (X1, Y0).

Fig. 18 Structure of TFT Matrix


The amplification operation of a transistor is used for the TFT switch in the active matrix system. In this
system, switching speed is unified over the whole display, increasing drive response speed as compared
with the passive matrix system. Therefore, TFT LCD display (active matrix system) is adopted for the
highly efficient display, which can provide the response speed required for big screens or quickly moving
pictures. However, further response speed is needed for high definition LCD television. This will be
described later.

5-6 Drive of Active Matrix System

Voltage to liquid crystal

The TFT LCD display consists of a matrix of n lines of X direction (X0 - Xn-1) and of n rows of Y direction
(Y0 - Yn-1). The line of X direction is called the gate line and the line (row) of Y direction is called the
data line.
First, the scan is started from the pixel address
Since the time for the drive voltage to reach its
required value is shorter in the active matrix system,
(X0, Y0), and when the address (X0, Yn-1) is
the response time of the display becomes quicker.
selected the scan of X0 line is completed. Next, all
the pixels from X1 line to Xn-1 line are scanned in
Active Matrix System
sequence, and the final address is (Xn-1, Yn-1).
The operation of selected pixel address (X1, Y2)
is explained below.
First, (signal) voltage is supplied to X1 line (gate
of TFT), next voltage is supplied to Y2 row (source
of TFT), and the address of the intersection of X1
Passive Matrix System
line and Y2 row is selected and its TFT is turned
On or Off. However, just switching the TFT on and
off will not change the brightness of the screen.
The brightness of a screen is changed by controlTime
ling the voltage of a data line (Y row). Fig. 19
shows the voltage characteristic of the matrix sysFig. 19 Voltage Characteristic of Matrix System
tem.
-19-

System of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

In Fig. 20, the voltage of the data line (Y2) is supplied in the positive direction to a common electrode
(DC drive). In practice a uniform AC voltage is supplied to the common electrode (AC drive) to prolong
the life of the liquid crystal.

Data Line Drive Circuit (Y row)

Y0 Y1 Y2 Y3 Yn-1
X0
X1
X2
X3

Pixel
Electrode
Glass Plate
(Common)

Liquid
Crystal

Xn-1

Glass Plate
(TFT)

Gate Line Drive Circuit (X line)

TFT

COMMON
X Direction

Variable
Voltage

Video Data
Processor Y Direction

Timming Controller
(Scan Converter)

Power
Circuit
COMMON

X1
Y2
TFT: On (X1, Y2)
Brightness
of Screen

Y2

COMMON

TFT: On

Y2
In practice, driven by AC signal
to COMMON. (AC Drive)

Y2
TFT: Off

Y2

Fig. 20 LCD Drive Circuit (Normally White Type)

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Improvement Technology of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

6 Improvement Technology of LCD Display


6-1 Subject of LCD Display
6-1-1 Angle of View
Angle of view means the normal visible range (angle) of a screen.
In an LCD display, the angle of view is narrow compared with a CRT or PDP (Plasma Display Panel). The
viewing angle of the typical TN type LCD display is about 100. However with the new improved technology that has been developed the angle of view for LCD display has increased to 160 or 170. This
improved system will be described later. (The angle of view for a CRT or PDP is 180.)

Vertical

Angle of View

Horizontal
Angle of View
Fig. 21 Angle of View
6-1-2 Response Characteristic
The response characteristic of the LCD display is the speed at which the display is refreshed by the input
signal (video data signal).
If this response characteristic is slow, an afterimage will appear on the screen. Therefore, in large screen
LCD television, improving this response characteristic becomes very important.

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Improvement Technology of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

6-2 Angle of View (TN Type)


The principle of optical penetration and the interception of the LCD shutter by the arranged direction of
cylindrical liquid crystal molecules controls the direction of light. Therefore, brightness, hue, and contrast
depend on the direction of view of the LCD display. The range (angle) where these look normal is called
the angle of view. The fault of the TN LCD display is that this angle of view is narrow.
Fig. 22 shows that brightness changes depending on the angle the screen with a gray picture is viewed.
In this figure, the liquid crystal molecule leans diagonally. Therefore, the amount of optical penetration will
change depending on the angle when watching the screen from the front or the side.

The brightness becomes


different depending on the
angle of view.

Polarized
Board
Transparent Electrode
(Common)
Alignment Film

Glass
Plate

Liquid Crystal Molecule

Alignment Film
Transparent Electrode
(Pixel, TFT)
Polarized
Board

Glass
Plate

Fig. 22 Angle of View (TN type)

-22-

Improvement Technology of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

6-3 Multi-Domain System


The arrangement of the TN LCD display is one directional. In this Multi-Domain System, one pixel is
divided into two or more different arranged domains.
Fig. 23 shows the example of Multi-Domain System with two domains. The quantity of the light per pixel
from various angles is equalized by this system. Moreover, the angle of view becomes even wider by
increasing the number of divisions. However, manufacturing is difficult in the rubbing process*.

Refer to 2-2 Rubbing-process.

The brightness of a screen


is equalized as macro view.

Polarized
Board
Transparent Electrode
(Common)
Alignment Film

Glass
Plate

Liquid Crystal Molecule

Glass
Plate
Alignment Film Alignment Film
(Left)
(Right)

Transparent Electrode
(Pixel, TFT)
Polarized
Board
Fig. 23 Multi-Domain System

-23-

Improvement Technology of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

6-4 MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) System


In the MVA system, the (alignment) film is arranged so that the liquid crystal molecules are stood vertically. The MVA system combines vertical alignment with the Multi-domain system. By vertically aligning the
liquid crystal molecules, the influence of optical interception is lost, and the angle of view and contrast
are improved.
A type of material is used that causes the liquid crystal molecules to become vertical to the glass plate
without supplying voltage. (Nega-Nematic liquid crystal*)
In the MVA system, attaching the boss by resin and making the liquid crystal molecules stand diagonally
on the transparent electrode make multiple alignment domains. Therefore, since the rubbing process can
be skipped at the alignment film production, manufacturing becomes easier compared with the multidomain system.

Generally, a Posi-Nematic system is used that aligns the liquid crystal molecules by supplying voltage.

Polarized
Board
Transparent Electrode
(Common)
Alignment Film

Glass
Plate

Liquid Crystal Molecule


(Nega-Nematic)
Alignment Film
Boss
(Left)

(Right)

Glass
Plate

Transparent Electrode
(Pixel, TFT)
Polarized
Board

Fig. 24 MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) System

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Improvement Technology of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

6-5 IPS (In-Plain Switching) System


The structure of an IPS system is shown in Fig. 25. The pixel and common electrodes are mounted to
the transparent film (drive transistor) side and the electric field is generated horizontally to the glass
plate. With this electric field, the alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules is rotated 90 in parallel to
the glass plate.
In the IPS system, liquid crystal molecules rotate all at once in the horizontal direction. Since these liquid
crystal molecules do not lean like the TN type, there is little change in the picture characteristics (contrast, brightness, hue, etc.) and the angle of view becomes wider. However, there are a few problems.
The quantity of transparent light is reduced, slower response speed, and a white picture becomes a little
bluish or yellowish depending on the viewing direction. The S-IPS (Super-IPS) type was developed to
improve upon these problems. In the S-IPS type, the structure of the electrode for driving the liquid crystal molecules becomes a zigzag form, which reduces the change of color, increases the viewing angle to
about 160 and has high definition equivalent to a CRT.

Polarized
Board

Basic Structure of IPS System

Glass Plate
(Without Transparent Electrode)
Alignment Film

Electric
Field

Transparent Electrode
(Pixel)

Alignment Film
Transparent Electrode
(Common)

Glass Plate
Liquid Crystal Molecule
(Vertical)

Polarized
Board
Polarized
Board

Normally Black Mode

Alignment Film
Liquid Crystal
Molecule
(Vertical)

Dark (Switch Off)

Bright (Switch On)

Fig. 25 IPS (In-Plain Switching) System


-25-

Improvement Technology of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

6-6 Optically Compensated Film


By using the optically compensated film, the phase shift of the STN type of LCD display is corrected, and
the angle of view and contrast are improved.
(Refer to 4-3 Triple STN Type.)
Three methods for attaching the optically compensated film are shown in Fig. 26.
1 sheet / 1 side

Polarized Board
Compensated
Film

Liquid Crystal

Polarized
Board

2 sheets / 1 side

2 sheets / 2 sides

Polarized Board
Compensated Film 1
Compensated Film 2

Polarized Board
Compensated
Film 1

Liquid Crystal

Polarized
Board

Liquid Crystal

Polarized
Board

Compensated
Film 2

Fig. 26 Optically Compensated Film

6-7 OCB (Optically Compensated Birefringence) System


The OCB system combines the bend-alignment system where the liquid crystal molecules are bent and
aligned between the upper and lower boards and optically compensation film. This system has the features of increased angle of view and quicker response speeds. However, bend-alignment is difficult to
make uniform and stable.

Polarized Board
Optically Compensated
Film
Transparent Electrode
(Common)

Glass
Plate

Alignment Film
Liquid Crystal Molecule

Alignment Film
Transparent Electrode
(Pixel, TFT)
Polarized
Board

Glass
Plate

Fig. 27 OCB System


-26-

Improvement Technology of LCD Display

Training Manual Principle of LCD

6-8 Improvement of Response Speed


6-8-1 Inpulse System
In order to reduce afterimage and dim outline, there is the system that has the backlight blinked for every
writing of one picture or an all black picture in inserted in the fixed cycle. It is called the Inpulse System.
For example, with the system called Super Inpulse System, the black data is written in every 1/60 second, and the afterimage and the ghosts are reduced.
With the usual LCD panel, since the
picture is displayed continuously,
the front picture becomes dim as
the afterimage.
In the inpulse system, by inserting
black data between the picture
data, the afterimage is reduced and
the high-speed response is
improved.

Black Data

Fig. 28 Inpulse System

Picture Data

6-8-2 FFD (Feed Forward Driving) System

Over-Shoot

Waveform (Normal)

Voltage

Voltage

The response speed of LCD brightness can be improved by adding over-shoot characteristic to the data
line voltage. Fig. 29 shows the actual overdrive circuit used in a digital drive system.

Waveform with Over-Shoot

Time

Time

Response Time
Brightness

Brightness

Response
Time

(By Overdrive Circuit)

Time
Voltage

Voltage

Time

Time

Time

Overdrive Circuit

Drive Circuit (Normal)

Fig. 29 Overdrive Circuit

-27-

Appendix

Training Manual Principle of LCD

7 Appendix
7-1 Backlight
An LCD panel does not emit light itself. For the display, a light source is required, and normally fluorescent lights are used for the backlight of the LCD television.
The backlight consists of fluorescent lights, a reflective plate, and a diffusion sheet (or board). Fig. 30
shows the structure and photograph of 30V and 15V LCD televisions backlights.

30V Type
LCD Panel

Fluorescent Lights
(30V: 16pcs)

Diffusion Sheet (Board)

Reflective Plate

15V Type
LCD Panel

Fluorescent Lights
(15V: 2pcs, 20V:3pcs)

Diffusion Sheet

Reflective Plate

Fig. 30 Backlight

-28-

Appendix

Training Manual Principle of LCD

7-2 LVDS Circuit


(1) LVDS Interface
For transmitting the video signal information, an interface circuit with an LVDS (Low Noise Differential
Signaling) standard is used, which has the merit of low noise, high speed operation by a small amplitude,
and low power consumption.
The LVDS cable connects the transmitter in the driving circuit and the receiver in the module.

Fig. 31 LVDS Interface

Transmitter
(Driving
Circuit)

100
Terminated

3.5mA

Receiver
(LCD Panel)

LVDS Cable

1.2V

345/200mV

(2) Driving Circuit


Fig. 32 shows the block diagrams of a panel driving circuit. The final video information (signal) from the
video processor (for example pixelworks) is transmitted to the LCD panel module through an LVDS cable.

Fig. 32 Block Diagrams of Panel Driving Circuit

Video Processor (pixelworks)

LVDS Transmitter
TxOUT
TxIN

Part of Panel Display (in the module)


DATA (LVDS)

LVDS Receiver
RxIN

RxOUT

Vsync

Vsync

Hsync

Hsync

BLANK

BLANK

PARITY

PARITY
PDWN

DCLK

TxCLKIN

DCLK

CLOCK (LVDS)

-29-

LVDS

RxCLKOUT

LCD Module

Part of (Panel) Driving Circuit

Appendix

Training Manual Principle of LCD

7-3 Block Diagram Example


(1) CLT-1583
R

Speaker (R)

U45
R

Audio AMP

LA4263

10

Tuner Board

1 30

S_CLK / SIN_OUT/ ENABLE_IN / ENABLE_OUT


V33D

DRO [0-7]

Video Decoder

VY [0-7]

V L R

L_PC
11

L2

GBE [0-7]

VCPU 33
37

Flash ROM

U30

8Mbits

V33D

AVDD
PVDD

V L R Y Cb Cr

G
H

Component
AV2 Input

B_PC

Red_PC

AV1 Input

THC63LVDM83A

54 30 48 31 43

R2

CVBS2

4
R1

V L R

Monitor Output

CVBS1

SY1

DBO [0-7]

MENORY
DATA

Graphic A/D
AD9883

R_PC

16

L1

SC1

7
S1

R_OUT

L_OUT

CVBS_OUT

AV Switch U46
CXA2089Q
33 30 32

LVDS
Interface

DGO [0-7]

U6
18

34

V33

5 4 6

GGE [0-7]

74 71

Main Scaler / (Main)CPU


PW113-10Q
PIXELWORKS

VUV [0-7]

VPC3230D

40 43 45

41 39

IC1

U36

INPUT_Y
INPUT_Cb/Pb
INPUT_Cr/Pr

CVBS

47 48 46

VCPU 33/18

U19

SELECTED_C

72

AUDIO_L

AUDIO_R

L_TV

R_TV

3
2
1

SELECTED_Y

CC_R
CC_G
CC_B

7 6

V_TV

Main Board

NJW1138M

Tuner / IF
TMQJ8

+9V

LCD Panel

Audio Processor

IIC
+CONTROL

17

Speaker (L)

GRE [0-7]

Sub CPU
M37272M6

16

HS_PC
G_PC
VS_PC

+9V

U101
TU201

U44

8 23

RX CLK+/-

Headphone (J26)

RX IN+/-[0-3]

+12V

B
V

D-SUB

Fig. 33 Block Diagram: CLT-1583

PC Input

(2) CLT-2053
R

Speaker (R)

U45
R
4

Audio AMP

LA4263

10

+9V

Sub CPU
M37272M6

16

Audio Processor

1 30

Tuner / IF
TMQJ8

47 48 46
41 39

74 71

Main Scaler / (Main)CPU


PW113-10Q
PIXELWORKS

VUV [0-7]

VPC3230D

DGO [0-7]
DBO [0-7]

LCD Panel

4 6

U36

MENORY
DATA

U30

VCPU 33
37

Flash ROM
8Mbits

40 43 45

V L R
Monitor Output

V L R

AV1 Input

11

V L R
AV2 Input

R3

R2

L2

CVBS2

16

R1

CVBS1

L1

SC1

SY1

R_OUT

33 30 32

S1

AV Switch U46
CXA2089Q

L3

34

CVBS_OUT

VY [0-7]

18

L_OUT

+9V

DRO [0-7]

Video Decoder

INPUT_Y
INPUT_Cb/Pb
INPUT_Cr/Pr

CVBS

72

VCPU 33/18

U19

SELECTED_C

AUDIO_R

3
2
1

SELECTED_Y

CC_R
CC_G
CC_B

L_TV

R_TV

S_CLK / SIN_OUT/ ENABLE_IN / ENABLE_OUT


V33D

7 6

V_TV

17

Speaker (L)

Main Board

NJW1138M

IIC
+CONTROL

AUDIO_L

U101
TU201

U44

8 23

Tuner Board

Headphone (J26)

+14V

L R

Y Cb Cr

Audio
Board

Component

Fig. 34 Block Diagram: CLT-2053


AV3 Input

-30-

Appendix

Training Manual Principle of LCD

(3) CLT1554 / CLT2054


AV1
AV1_Y 3

S Video
Composite Video
Audio

AV1_CV 1

IC1001

IC801

TV_CV 5

Video SW

CPU

7
AV1/TV_Y/CV
5

AV2

AV2_V 1
AV3_Y 3

Composite Video
Audio

IC1002

36 37
22 23
OSD_HD VD
(For Caption)
12 10
5V

13 11
OSD_HD VD
154 153

85

IC2001

AD_Y 48

Audio

AD_Cr 54

IC301

IC4101

AD_HS

IP Converter
Screen Controller

(Y/UV)

38

AD_VS

IIC Bus

IC361
SDRAM

Sync Separation 15

R: 1

Tuner
IF
Sound Multiplex

AV3_L/R L: 28

R: 3

R: 4
TV_L/R L: 27

IIC Bus

LCD PANEL
(15V)

AD_CLAMP

28

AV1_L/R L: 30
R: 2
AV2_L/R L: 29

IC781
LVDS
Transmitter

IC1701

TV (A201)

R/G/B (0-7)

31

16
AD_Y 26

LCD PANEL
(20V)
(For 15V)

IIC Bus

AD_Cb 43 A/D Converter


30

(For 20V)
R/G/B (0-7)

IIC Bus
AD_R/G (0-7)

(480p)

152 151 150 148 149


R G B Y I

DEC_Y/C (0-7)

with
AV3_Cb 94
Y/C Separation
(480i)

Component Video

OSD_CC

DD Converter
3.3V

AV3_Cr 92 Digital Decoder

AV3

18 19 20 21 16
R G B Y I

IC871

7 SEL_Y/CV

Video SW

AV1_C 90

IIC Bus

IC001

10 SEL_R

16 R-OUT (+)

13

Audio SW
Audio Control
21 SEL_L
Surround

IC101

15 R-OUT (-)

SPEAKER
(Right)

Audio AMP
9

24 L-OUT (+)
25 L-OUT (-)

IIC Bus

SPEAKER
(Left)

Fig. 35 Block Diagram: CLT1554 / CLT2054

-31-

SEP / 2004

Printed in Japan

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.

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