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 transmis-
sion 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.

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Construction of LCD Display Training Manual Principle of LCD

Backlight
Polarized
Board Pixel
(Picture Element)
Glass
Plate 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 Note: Alignment film is not
by switching the drive transistor (TFT) on and off. shown in this figure.

Fig. 1 Construction of LCD Display

(Transparent Type TFT LCD)

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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 compara-
tively 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.”

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Construction of LCD Display Training Manual Principle of LCD

Backlight

Polarized
Board Glass
Plate
Transparent Electrode
(Pixel, TFT)
Module
(Back)
Alignment Film
LCD Liquid Crystal
LCD Layer
Shutter Alignment Film
Transparent Electrode
Module (Common)
(Front) Color Filter
Glass Plate
Polarized
Board

Fig. 2 Construction of LCD Display

(Cross Section)

Backlight

LCD Panel
(LCD Shutter)

LCD
Display

LCD
Module
TFT Display
Drive Circuit
(with IC) Fig. 3 Assembly of LCD Display

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 ■ 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 neighbor-
ing 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 mole-
cules 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.”

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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

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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
Liquid Crystal
Electrode

Electric
Field Electric
Field

Liquid Crystal
Molecule Electric
Dipole

Fig. 6 Operation of Liquid Crystal

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 ■ 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 polar-
ized 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 90º(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
The oscillating direction direction of light
of light and the direction
of a polarized board are Fig. 7 Operation of
in agreement.
Polarized Board
Passage Interception

Fig. 8 Operation of
Light The two boards are Light The two boards are
the same directions. shifted right-angled. Polarized Board

White Black

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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 90º 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 90º 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 By the upper-and-lower

Crystal alignment films, spirally, a
Molecule liquid crystal molecules are
twisted 90º 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 90º
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 polar-
ized board and the oscillating direction of the light which is shifted 90º 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.

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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 chang-
ing the oscillating direction. Since the oscillating direction of this light differs from direction of the lower
polarized board which is shifted 90º 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 (On—Off 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 90º. 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 arrange-
ment of the liquid crystal molecules.
Lig Lig
ht ht
Polarized Polarized
Board Board
Transparent Transparent
Electrode Electrode
(Upper) (Upper)
Alignment
Alignment Film
Film

Liquid Liquid
Crystal Crystal
Alignment
Film Alignment
Transparent Film
Electrode Transparent
(Lower) Electrode
Polarized (Lower)
Board Polarized
Board

Fig. 10 Operation of
Passage LCD Panel
Interception
3-4 Transparent Electrode
In order to generate an electric field in liquid crystal, voltage is supplied to the upper-and-lower elec-
trodes. 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.

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■ 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 90º 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, cel-
lular 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 180º to 270º 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 wave-
length 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 yel-
lowish green and navy blue are changed to the correct white and black. The “FSTN” type uses a single
optically compensated film

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Type of LCD Display Construction Training Manual Principle of LCD

TN Type Module

LCD Layer

Module
Twist of molecule
(90º)

STN Type
Module

LCD Layer

Module
Twist of molecule
(180º - 270º)
TSTN Type
Optically
Compensated
Film

Module

LCD Layer

Module

Optically
Compensated
Film
Fig. 11 Type of LCD Display Construction

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■ 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

In colorization of LCD panel,

R G B 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 inter-
section turn on (or off).

Fig. 12 Dot-Matrix System

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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 pic-
ture 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

lor
Co e
m
hro
R G Mo
n o c

Color Filter LCD Shutter LCD Shutter

Color Panel Monochrome Panel

Fig. 13 Colorization of LCD Display

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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
X Electrode
Liquid X3
Crystal X4 These electrodes are
Layer
transparent electrodes.

Glass
Plate Fig. 14 Passive Matrix System

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System of LCD Display Training Manual Principle of LCD

Y1

Y0 Y1 Y2
LCD shutter is turned on
or turned off in this
X0
address (X2, Y1).

X1

Liquid X2
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 indepen-
dent 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 pic-
tures 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 Y-
electrodes of a passive matrix system. Each pixel is now controlled by the switch element (active ele-
ment). 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

Liquid Pixel Electrode

Crystal (Pixel Pattern)
Layer X Electrode

TFT Fig. 16 Structure of Active

Glass Plate Y Electrode (Switch Element) Matrix System
(Lower)

Equivalent Circuit Equivalent Circuit

(TFT) (Switch)

COMMON COMMON
COMMON
Electrode COMMON
Electrode
Y Electrode Liquid
Liquid Pixel Crystal
Y0 Y1
Crystal Electrode Drain
Drain
X1
X Electrode X1 X1
X2
Gate Gate
Source
Pixel Electrode Source TFT
TFT Switch
Y0 Y0 (On / Off)

By TFT, the shutter of a pixel at the Fig. 17 Equivalent Circuit of

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

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System of LCD Display Training Manual Principle of LCD

Y0 Y1 Y2 Y3
X0
TFT (Switch)
Liquid Crystal
COMMON Electrode
X1

X2
The LCD shutter is operated by
TFT at the address (X1, Y0).
X3
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

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
(X0, Y0), and when the address (X0, Yn-1) is required value is shorter in the active matrix system,
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).
Voltage to liquid crystal

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 control-
ling the voltage of a data line (Y row). Fig. 19 Time
shows the voltage characteristic of the matrix sys-
tem. Fig. 19 Voltage Characteristic of Matrix System

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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
TFT
X0

Gate Line Drive Circuit (X line)

Pixel
Electrode X1
Glass Plate
(Common) X2
Liquid X3

•••
Crystal

Glass Plate
(TFT)
Xn-1

COMMON
X Direction
Video Data Timming Controller
Variable Processor Y Direction (Scan Converter)
Voltage
Power
Circuit
COMMON
X1

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

Y2
COMMON
TFT: On

Y2

In practice, driven by AC signal

Y2
to COMMON. (AC Drive)

Y2 TFT: Off

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 100º. However with the new improved technolo-
gy that has been developed the angle of view for LCD display has increased to 160º or 170º. This
improved system will be described later. (The angle of view for a CRT or PDP is 180º.)

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
Glass Transparent Electrode
Plate (Common)
Alignment Film

Liquid Crystal Molecule

Alignment Film

Glass Transparent Electrode

Plate (Pixel, TFT)
Polarized
Board

Fig. 22 Angle of View (TN type)

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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
Glass Transparent Electrode
Plate (Common)
Alignment Film

Liquid Crystal Molecule

Glass Transparent Electrode

Plate (Pixel, TFT)
Polarized
Alignment Film Alignment Film Board
(Left) (Right)
Fig. 23 Multi-Domain System

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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 vertical-
ly. 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 multi-
domain system.

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

Polarized
Board
Glass Transparent Electrode
Plate (Common)
Alignment Film

Liquid Crystal Molecule

(Nega-Nematic)
Alignment Film
Boss

(Left) (Right) Transparent Electrode

(Pixel, TFT)
Glass
Plate 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 90º 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 (con-
trast, 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 crys-
tal molecules becomes a zigzag form, which reduces the change of color, increases the viewing angle to
about 160º and has high definition equivalent to a CRT.

Basic Structure of IPS System Glass Plate

Polarized (Without Transparent Electrode)
Board
Alignment Film
Electric
Field
Alignment Film
Transparent Electrode Transparent Electrode
(Pixel) (Common)

Glass Plate
Polarized
Board
Liquid Crystal Molecule
(Vertical) Normally Black Mode
Polarized
Board

Alignment Film
Liquid Crystal
Molecule
(Vertical)

Dark (Switch Off) Bright (Switch On)

Fig. 25 IPS (In-Plain Switching) System

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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 2 sheets / 1 side 2 sheets / 2 sides

Polarized Board Polarized Board Polarized Board

Compensated Compensated Film 1 Compensated
Film Compensated Film 2 Film 1

Liquid Crystal Liquid Crystal

Liquid Crystal

Polarized
Board Polarized
Polarized Compensated
Board
Board 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 fea-
tures of increased angle of view and quicker response speeds. However, bend-alignment is difficult to
make uniform and stable.

Polarized Board
Optically Compensated
Glass Film
Plate Transparent Electrode
(Common)

Alignment Film

Liquid Crystal Molecule

Alignment Film

Glass Transparent Electrode

Plate (Pixel, TFT)
Polarized
Board
Fig. 27 OCB System
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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 sec-
ond, 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
Picture Data Fig. 28 Inpulse System

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

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.

Over-Shoot
Waveform (Normal)
Voltage

Voltage

Waveform with Over-Shoot

Time Time

Response Response Time

Brightness

Brightness

Time (By Overdrive Circuit)

Time Time
Voltage

Voltage

Time Time

Drive Circuit (Normal) Overdrive Circuit

Fig. 29 Overdrive Circuit

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 ■ 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 fluores-
cent 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
Diffusion Sheet (Board)

Fluorescent Lights
(30V: 16pcs) Reflective Plate

15V Type

LCD Panel
Diffusion Sheet

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

Fig. 30 Backlight

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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

100Ω Receiver
Transmitter 3.5mA Terminated (LCD Panel)
(Driving
Circuit)
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

Part of (Panel) Driving Circuit Part of Panel Display (in the module)
LVDS Transmitter LVDS Receiver
TxIN TxOUT DATA (LVDS) RxIN RxOUT
R 8 R 8

8 8
Video Processor (pixelworks)

G G
B 8 B 8 LCD Module

Vsync Vsync

Hsync Hsync
BLANK BLANK

PARITY PARITY

PDWN

DCLK DCLK

TxCLKIN CLOCK (LVDS) LVDS RxCLKOUT

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Appendix Training Manual Principle of LCD

7-3 Block Diagram Example

(1) CLT-1583

R
U45 Speaker (R)
R
Audio AMP 3
+12V L Headphone (J26)
4
LA4263 1

8 10
L
L
R

8 23 U44 Speaker (L)

Tuner Board
+9V
16
Sub CPU Audio Processor LCD Panel
M37272M6 NJW1138M
Main Board

RX IN+/-[0-3]
U101

RX CLK+/-
IIC
+CONTROL
TU201 1 30
S_CLK / SIN_OUT/ ENABLE_IN / ENABLE_OUT
V33
Tuner / IF V33D
U19
VCPU 33/18
IC1
TMQJ8 U36
CC_R DRO [0-7]
3
17 7 6 CC_G Video Decoder VY [0-7] Main Scaler / (Main)CPU LVDS
2 DGO [0-7]
CC_B Interface
1 VPC3230D VUV [0-7] PW113-10Q
DBO [0-7]
PIXELWORKS THC63LVDM83A
72 74 71 5 4 6
AUDIO_R

AUDIO_L

SELECTED_C
SELECTED_Y

MENORY VCPU 33
INPUT_Cb/Pb
INPUT_Cr/Pr

DATA 37
INPUT_Y

GGE [0-7]
GRE [0-7]

GBE [0-7]
U30
R_TV
V_TV

L_TV

Flash ROM
CVBS

47 48 46 8Mbits
V33D
41 39 40 43 45
U6
+9V 18 Graphic A/D AVDD
34 AV Switch U46 R_PC AD9883 PVDD
16
CXA2089Q
L_PC 54 30 48 31 43
CVBS_OUT

33 30 32
Red_PC
HS_PC

VS_PC

7 3 5 1 2 4 8 9 11
CVBS1

CVBS2

G_PC

B_PC
L_OUT

R_OUT

SC1
SY1
S1

R1

R2
L1

L2

R G B
V L R V L R V L R Y Cb Cr H
S V D-SUB
Monitor Output Component
Fig. 33 Block Diagram: CLT-1583
AV1 Input AV2 Input PC Input

(2) CLT-2053

R
U45 Speaker (R)
R
Audio AMP 3
+14V L Headphone (J26)
4
LA4263 1

8 10
L
L
R

8 23 U44 Speaker (L)

Tuner Board
+9V
16
Sub CPU Audio Processor
M37272M6 NJW1138M
Main Board
U101 IIC
+CONTROL
TU201 1 30
S_CLK / SIN_OUT/ ENABLE_IN / ENABLE_OUT
Tuner / IF V33D
U19
VCPU 33/18
TMQJ8 CC_R DRO [0-7]
3
17 7 6 CC_G
2
Video Decoder VY [0-7] Main Scaler / (Main)CPU DGO [0-7]
CC_B
1 VPC3230D VUV [0-7] PW113-10Q
DBO [0-7]
LCD Panel
PIXELWORKS
72 74 71 5 4 6
AUDIO_R

AUDIO_L

U36
SELECTED_C
SELECTED_Y

MENORY
INPUT_Cb/Pb
INPUT_Cr/Pr

VCPU 33
DATA
INPUT_Y

37
R_TV
V_TV

L_TV

CVBS

U30 Flash ROM

47 48 46 8Mbits
41 39 40 43 45

+9V 18
34 AV Switch U46
16
CXA2089Q
CVBS_OUT

33 30 32
7 3 5 1 2 4 8 9 11
CVBS1

CVBS2
L_OUT

R_OUT

SC1
SY1
S1

R1

R2

R3
L1

L2

L3

V L R V L R V L R L R Y Cb Cr
S Audio
Monitor Output AV2 Input Component
Board
AV1 Input
Fig. 34 Block Diagram: CLT-2053
AV3 Input

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Appendix Training Manual Principle of LCD

(3) CLT1554 / CLT2054

AV1
AV1_Y 3
S Video IIC Bus
AV1_CV 1 IC1001 IC801
Composite Video
TV_CV 5 Video SW CPU
Audio
7 36 37 22 23 18 19 20 21 16
AV1/TV_Y/CV (For Caption) OSD_HD VD R G B Y I
5 5V 12 10
AV2 AV2_V 1 IC1002 IC871
7 SEL_Y/CV OSD_CC
AV3_Y 3 DD Converter
Composite Video Video SW 3.3V 13 11
OSD_HD VD 152 151 150 148 149
Audio AV1_C 90 85 154 153 R G B Y I
IC2001
AV3_Cr 92 Digital Decoder DEC_Y/C (0-7) (For 20V)
R/G/B (0-7) LCD PANEL
with IC301
AV3_Cb 94 (20V)
AV3 Y/C Separation IIC Bus
(480i) (For 15V)
Component Video (Y/UV) IP Converter
AD_Y 48 AD_R/G (0-7)
Screen Controller R/G/B (0-7) IC781
Audio IC4101 LCD PANEL
AD_Cr 54 IIC Bus LVDS
Transmitter (15V)
AD_Cb 43 A/D Converter 38
IIC Bus
(480p) 30 31
AD_HS AD_VS AD_CLAMP
16 28
IC1701 IC361
AD_Y 26 Sync Separation 15 SDRAM

R: 1
AV1_L/R L: 30 16 R-OUT (+)
TV (A201)
10 SEL_R 13 SPEAKER
R: 2
AV2_L/R L: 29 IC001 IC101 15 R-OUT (-)
(Right)
R: 3
Tuner AV3_L/R L: 28 Audio SW Audio AMP
Audio Control 24 L-OUT (+)
IF R: 4
TV_L/R L: 27 Surround
21 SEL_L 9 SPEAKER
Sound Multiplex IIC Bus IIC Bus
25 L-OUT (-)
(Left)

Fig. 35 Block Diagram: CLT1554 / CLT2054

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SEP / 2004 Printed in Japan SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.