Standard VS Customized Display Modules
Blaze Display Technology Co., Ltd. | Updated: Nov 27, 2018
When you consider a display module for your project, there will be one question comes to your mind soon “Should I choose a standard module or need one customized for my application?” The question is straightforward enough, but considerations that weigh into the answer can be as varied as the LCD module applications themselves.
Standard display modules are often designed to maximize their implementation potential. This can lead to high pin counts that allow for variable interface protocols, high output back lighting to maximize application potential and generally conservative mechanical design practices (patented components, robust EMI solutions, metal bracketing, incorporated drive circuitry, etc). For many applications, design-specific changes can reduce unit production cost through application-specific simplification, sometimes significantly so.
For most Passive Matrix LCD modules, BDT can deliver a custom LCD (active area size and resolution), with custom back light, mechanical housing and electrical interface for a total NRE cost of less than ten thousand dollars, BDT can customize the back light, housing and mechanical interface of an Active Matrix LCD module for an NRE cost of less than ten thousand dollars. In these cases, the design flexibility that customization allows for often justifies the modest NRE required.
Customizing the Active Matrix LCD itself (size/resolution), however, can be cost restrictive for most applications since the minimum NRE required for panel mask sets is more expensive unless project volumes are large per year (depending on size) or the scope of the business otherwise dictates a customer-owned TFT panel, most designers find they are better off customizing around readily available TFT standards. In many applications the combination of a standard AM TFT cell with a custom designed module and electrical interface offers the most favorable overall cost solution.
Lead time is another consideration that often makes off-the-shelf LCD modules attractive for designers. But, sometime the lead time for a custom design can be shorter than you’d think. For many implementers, the design freedom and iterative optimization that customization offers is well worth additional time required to sample custom LCD modules.
