70 Scientific Technical Review, 2012,Vol.62,No.3-4,pp.

70-79

UDK: 623.746.6:004.773.3
COSATI: 01-03, 01-04

Avionic Displays

Branko Livada1)

This paper addresses the basic functions and dimensions of principal avionic displays helping to determine the
opportunities for applying different display technologies in the harsh avionic environment. The avionic displays are
specified by their active area and dimensions as well as other characteristics such as luminance, resolution, viewing
envelope, colour, gray scale, night vision compatibility and sun light readability. In addition, some typical requirements
for avionic display properties are discussed. This paper further provides a short overview of the key technologies used in
display design and their compliance with the basic requirements. The Commercial Of The Shelf - COTS components
application concept was successfully applied to the AMLCD flat panel technology after resolving initial issues. The
AMLCD stays a dominant technology for the application in avionic displays as well as for other military applications.

Key words avionics, avionic display, new technologies, liquid crystals.

Introduction COTS AMLCD panels adapted to work properly for

specific application by adding new features using existing
M ODERN avionic systems use digital ruggedized
displays [1]-[4]. Ruggedized displays technology
development is linked to specific military and aerospace
technological solutions [7, 8]. This process requires deep
understanding of the current scientific and technological
applications, which means that ruggedized displays are advancement. Display development means application of
suitable for applications in demanding environmental technological achievements through application of specific
conditions. skills to implement known solutions into new products.
Avionic display applications and needs are still a leading That adaptation process and/or ruggedization usually
ruggedized displays advancement source, providing new involve the following engineering solutions and changes:
technical solutions mainly based on specific enhancement Mechanical Design: contributes to the display
of available COTS (Commercial of The Shelf) panels. functionality in all specified environmental conditions
Nowadays, this technology is fully transferable to other (temperature, vibration, etc.), displays mechanical interface
areas of application such as industrial displays, medical, to the user’s system, and integrates all other design
automotive, etc., and the term ruggedized extended its solutions providing a suitable and compact mechanical
meaning to “advanced”, or “customized” more often than design.
“militarized“. Electrical/Hardware Design: provides electrical power
Whenever there is a need to obtain some additional interface design (external and internal), EMI/EMC
display feature for specific application such as: compatibility, AMLCD driving and control circuits, LED
backlight driving circuits, backlight control functions
- Sun Readability (colour sensor, temperature sensor, bezel illumination
- High Contrast sensor, etc.).
- High Brightness Software (Firmware) Design: involves design solutions
- NVIS Compatibility leading to an extended range of the display microprocessor
- Wide temperature range & Environmental controlled functions, required video signal interface and
- Improved EMI shielding transformation functions, Built-in Test functions (BIT), pre-
- Increased Colour Gamut programmed graphics, etc.
- Increased Colour Rendering Index Optical Design: usually involves design changes
- Controlled Viewing Angle necessary to include more reliable LED backlight and
- Specific Video signal Interface special display optical features such as: NVIS
- Specific communication Interface Compatibility, Sun Readability, wide viewing angle, high
- High Reliability and long Lifetime brightness, high contrast, etc.
- BIT (Built In Testing) and Controls All engineering solutions and changes involved are
- Special Bezel Functions cross-dependent and lead to unique technical solutions
one should ask for a ruggedized display solution. necessary to fulfil basic requirements.
Depending on the application, different levels of This paper discusses possibilities of display technologies
ruggedization and appropriate technical solutions can be and how their capabilities were used in past or will be used
applied [5]. In the present time, preferred solutions use in near future.

1)
Luxell Technolgies Ltd., Mississauga, Toronto, CANADA
 LIVADA,B.: AVIONIC DISPLAYS 71

Ruggedized display structure Ruggedized display device – is the most important part
As depicted below (see Fig.1), a ruggedized display is a of the display system, including integration of novel
complex optoelectronic system. Such a system requires a technologies into unique functionality and contributing to
complex design. In addition, a display requirements the display mechanical strength.
tracking process should be applied throughout its whole life Generally speaking, this part consists of:
cycle (Preliminary Design, Full Development, - Touch Panel (if required, as a part of Cover Glass)
Manufacturing, Operational use, and Disposal). The display - Front (Cover) Glass (see Fig.2) - providing antivandal
key subsystems are described below. protection, antireflective front surface, transparent con-
Bezel – incorporates switches, pushbuttons and ductive EMI layer, spectral filtering for contrast en-
indicators which can be equipped with appropriate hancement, better AMLCD Glass thermal management at
backlight including NVIS filtered backlight. In addition, elevated ambient temperatures when laminated, and/or
ambient light sensors can be used as a part of the display NVIS, etc.
brightness automatic control electronics. - Display Device (CRT, FEL, AMLCD, OLED, etc.) –
Display Active Surface – displays visual information electronically controlled pixel array structure.
content. - Display device Heather – providing low temperature op-
Housing, Mechanical Interface – used to provide eration
display parts integration and proper mechanical mounting Backlight – is another critical subsystem (if used)
in the user’s system. consisting of two main parts
- Optical Stack (light collection and beam shaping optics)
- Illumination Source (suitable light source, CCFL, White
LED, R G B LEDs)
Backlight can be designed as:
a) Bottom Illuminated (Illumination source is distributed in
a matrix bellow the AMCLD active surface)
b) Side illuminated (Illumination source is located on the
side and light is transferred to the AMLCD using
Waveguide optics).
Backlight Driving Electronics – energy efficient
driving circuits including dimming control electronics.
Display Driving Electronics – drives display pixels
(light valves) according to video signal content.
Figure 1. Ruggedized Display generalized structure Motherboard & Microcontroller – Integrates all
electronics and control circuits.
Software and Firmware – application tailored
embedded software and firmware controlling display
functions, graphics and controls.
Communication Interface Electronics – electronic
boards designed for proper communication with the user
system.
Power Interface – transform external power source
voltage to voltages needed for the display operation.
Signal Interface Electronics – transforms used video
signal formats into the signal compatible with the AMLCD
driving electronics.
Sensors – usually used to sense display temperature,
illumination level or colour, and produce signals used in the
(a) display automatic control functions.
The dependability matrix between the display subsystem
structure and the display features is illustrated in Table 1,
showing how the required display features influence the
display structure and design.
Modern avionic displays designs tend to use some of
specific functions supporting flight control needs. Having
in mind basic display functions, various types of displays
can be used in avionic applications:
- MFD – multi-functional displays – capable of providing
different pre-programmed functions and visual contents
- MMD – moving map displays – displaying digitalised
maps.
- EFIS – electronic flight instrument system – providing
specialized functions: EMD – engine monitoring dis-
(b) plays, FDU – flight display unit, TWD – threat warning
Figure 2. Front Glass: (a) functions and (b) generalized structure display.
72 LIVADA,B.: AVIONIC DISPLAYS

Table 1: Display features and Components dependability matrix circumstances, display technology capability is much closer
to the HVS system.

High Reliability & Long Lifetime

BIT (Built In Test) and Controls
Specific Video Signal Formats
Display

Increased Colour Rendering

The acuity of an average human eye can resolve an

Controlled Viewing Angle

Increased Colour Gamut
Wide temperature range

Special Bezel Functions

Features individual pixel of approximately one arc-minute of the

NVIS Compatibility
Sun Readability
High Brightness
⇒

EMI Shielding
High Contrast
visual context wide. Visual acuity determines the level of
detail that an eye can absorb from the pattern of pixels
present on a screen. The closer the object isviewed, the
Display
Subsystems smaller the level of detail can be determined.
& Brightness (Luminance)
Components
⇓ The brightness of a viewed object is defined in a
psychological sense as a level of light intensity perceived
Bezel
by a viewer. The key physical measure of brightness is
Active Surface
luminance. Brightness is defined as the luminance of the
Display Device
brightest component (usually white colour) in the centre of
Touch Panel
the screen and is measured in candela per square metre
Cover Glass (cd/m2 = nit) or footlamberts (1fL=3.426 nits).
Display Surface The typical display luminance varies from 100 nits in the
Heater shadowed office environment up to 1000 nits in the high
EMI Shield ambient illumination environment.
Backlight The other important consideration for display
Optical Stack technologies is the luminance dynamic range (dimming
Light Source range), i.e. the ratio between the minimum and the
Housing maximum luminance that can be generated and allow
Backlight Driver display luminance to set a value in accordance with human
Display Driver eye accommodation properties. Avionic displays have a
Motherboard dimming range up to 1:200 in the day light operating mode
Soft/Firmware and the same in the night mode. The brightness change over
Comm. Interface the dimming range should usually follow a predefined
Power Interface brightness control law to provide optimal visual
Signal Interface information reception.
Sensors Contrast
Display Contrast Ratio is the ratio of the maximum
Display basic properties luminance to the minimum luminance that can be generated
in the same image. Display Contrast is created by the
The main purpose of any display is to show visual difference in luminance from two adjacent surfaces. It is
information suitable to be used with the human visual related to the display image detail luminance L and the
system (HVS). The HVS is a complex and highly evolved background luminance Lb (usually defined as: (L-Lb)/Lb)).
system and, to date, no display technology has been able to These parameters should be specified in a predefined
match its capacity. A definition of the display optical illumination environment where ambient light and
properties should provide the metrics of display reflections from the screen will significantly affect the
conformance with the HVS-related requirements. values.
An amazing amount of work has been done to establish a A display may not be able to deliver a “pure” black
reasonable system of parameters defining display properties because the technology applied leaks light or reflects
and standardized measurement methods [9-17]. ambient light. A good display will offer a contrast ratio that
Nevertheless, this work has not been finished yet. In exceeds 1000:1 in the dark, and will be able to display a
addition, specific applications need specific requirements nearly “pure” black. From the point of view of the HVS
definition and measurement methods development. contrast sensitivity, it is more than enough.
Information capacity A contrast ratio higher than 5:1 is required as a minimum
On the one hand, the amount of visual “information” that for image details detection in the high ambient light
a display is able to convey is related to the “information environment. In this case, black and other colours are
content” of a display, defined through the total number of „washed up“.
pixels, the size of the pixels (resolution) and the size of the Colour Properties
display active area. On the other hand, there is the eye's An average human eye can perceive millions of different
ability to discern details - visual [18] and the eye-brain colours. The 1931 Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage
system perceptual capability. (CIE) developed a three dimensional colour “space” that
The human visual system (HVS) has evolved over allowed any visible colour to be mapped. Any colour could
millions of years. The disparity between the natural world be located within the colour space and its composition from
appearance perceived with the HVS and that potentially each of the three primaries (Red, Green and Blue) can also
“sampled” by the year 2000 display technology is more be determined.
than a factor of one million. The grand challenge for Display colour reproduction ability depends on the purity of
display technology is to close this fantastic 106 gap between display primary colours. It is usually represented by a triangle in
devices and the human visual system [12]. On the other the colour space having red, green and blue colour in the
hand, we have airworthiness requirements providing corners, also known as the colour gamut. The display gamut is
accurate message recognition and safe, on time, reaction compared with the standard gamut (NTSC) and the gamut
that set higher information caption threshold levels. In these quality is defined as the ratio of the display gamut area and the
 LIVADA,B.: AVIONIC DISPLAYS 73

standard gamut area in the (u', v' - CIE 1976) chromaticity chart. Response-time
Emissive colour displays usually have more pure The time an individual pixel or cell in a display screen
primaries and hence a wider gamut than non-emissive ones. takes to change from the minimum to the maximum and
vice versa is known as the response time and is measured in
milliseconds (ms). The response time affects the ability to
change an image rapidly on the screen.
Some typical response time values required are:
- 25ms for general computer applications,
- 12 - 15ms for TV, sports and gaming,
- 100ms in the case of avionic displays using the slow
changing graphical content.
LCDs have an inherent latency time due to switching of
the liquid crystal gates and this introduces a longer response
time than it is required by some content types. Also,
switching time highly depends on the temperature. To
operate at low temperatures, LCDs require local heating.

Figure 3. Display typical gamut: 1-Emissive PDP,CRT, 2-LCD +RGB

backlight, 3-LCD+CCFL, 4-LCD+WLED

Resolution
The key measure for display quality, in accordance with
the HVS acuity is the pixels density expressed in pixel per
inch (PPI) or pixel per millimetre (PPMM). The
requirements for display resolution depend on the
application through the anticipated observer to display
distance, where 300 PPI (12 PPMM) is a typical visual
acuity limit for hand held device displays – so-called retinal
displays, 170 PPI (7 PPMM) is a visual acuity limit for
avionic displays and 200 PPI (8 PPMM) is a good
approximation of the HVS requirement within a computer
gaming display application environment.
Active Area
The Avionic Display shape is determined by the cockpit
design and it is standardized [19]. The display active area
should fulfill the display front surface as much as possible. Figure 4. Avionic Display most common sizes
The active area is the display surface where the
information content is presented. It is measured by the Sun-Readability
diagonal (usually expressed in inches or mm), and the Readability in a high ambient lighting from as low as
aspect ratio (1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 16:10, 16:9). Avionic displays zero to as high as 100.000 lx of diffuse and/or collimated
traditionally had 1:1 aspect ratio, and a relatively small illumination from one or more directions is the avionic
diagonal, but nowadays, in newly designed multifunctional display typical requirement. The display should be mounted
displays, a large active area and commercial aspect ratio is to minimize the impact of the ambient illumination. The
more often used. The most common sizes of avionic display front surface should be optically enhanced to
displays are illustrated in Fig.4. minimize diffusive and specular reflectance.
Viewing Envelope For a “mission critical” display, a high ambient
illumination requirement is usually specified through the
The angle of view is defined as the angle at which the
threshold contrast ratio [10], [12], in the given illumination
viewer must be positioned in relation to the screen in order to
environment. The most common definitions of the high
clearly see the image on a display. The angular viewing
illumination environment are presented in Table 2.
envelope is the space that contains all required viewing angles.
The measurement method and set-up should be clearly
Avionic displays should have a viewing envelope that
defined. A minimally required contrast value depends on
covers at least ±60o horizontally and +30o/-20o vertically,
the type of information displayed (2 - alpha numerical; 3 -
but more specific detail requirements could be set
according to application. graphics; 4.66 (4 2 gray levels) for a B/W image)
74 LIVADA,B.: AVIONIC DISPLAYS

Table 2. High Illumination Environment definitions

Specular
Diffusive
(glare)
(point) Source NOTE
Source
[fL] [fc]
1 2000 10000 Fighter, bubble canopy
2 2000 8000 Helicopter
3 2000 2000 The most realistic combined re-
4 500 10000 flection

5 - 8000
6 - 10000 Without specular reflection

NVIS Compatibility
To obtain a possibility to use both the display unit and
the NVG (Night Vision Goggle) at the same time, a
specific technical solution is selected. Sharing the optical
spectra is achieved by using special optical filters on the
NVG and the display unit. NVGs are filtered using a so-
called “minus blue” filter, and the display unit is filtered to
eliminate excess NIR radiation, so the display can be
operated successfully using the naked eye, and without
Figure 6. Flat Panel Display classification
disturbing the NVG. The NVIS compatibility is illustrated
in Fig.5. The NVIS compatibility requirements are defined Emissive Display Technologies
in the standard [14].
The emissive display simplified pixel structure and the
operation principles are illustrated in Fig.7.

Figure 5. NVIS compatibility sharing spectrum

A display used in the NVIS compatible mode has a

limited gamut – a poor red gamut corner.
Electromagnetic Compatibility
To provide proper EMC, suitable for the complex
avionic EM radiation environment, display electronics is
equipped with EMI filters, and the display active area is
covered with a transparent conductive layer (ITO or micro
mesh) connected to metal housing forming the Faraday
cage.
Environmental Properties
A wide operation temperature range is the most critical
environmental requirement. Operation at low temperatures
Figure 7. Emissive Displays pixel structure and operation
(up to -40oC) could be achieved using heaters, but operation
at high temperatures (up to +85oC), should be inherent to CRT – Cathode Ray Tube
the applied display technology and the display structure.
The Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) has been the standard
form of displaying an image for TV and computer terminal
Display Technologies screens for over 80 years [18]. The colour picture is
generated by tiny dots of three types of phosphorous (red,
The simplified classification of the flat panel display
green, blue), deposited on the inside of the screen, which
technologies is shown in Fig.6. An emissive display is one
glow when they are hit by electrons. The electrons are
that produces its own light; a passive display modulates
generated by heating an element consisting of many tiny
light that passes through it.
 LIVADA,B.: AVIONIC DISPLAYS 75

wires (the cathode), placed at the back of the vacuum tube,

in a process known as thermionic emission. The flow of
electrons is controlled by a magnetic field provided by
copper coils wrapped around the vacuum tube. The coils
direct the beam of electrons in a sweeping movement,
'drawing' one horizontal line of the image at a time (a
process known as raster scanning). This takes place in the
vacuum in order to avoid ionising of air during the
thermionic process, which would adversely affect the
operation.
FED - Field Emission Displays
Field emission devices use electrons to fire up a
phosphor screen directly, in the same manner as traditional
CRTs. However, with field emission devices the
mechanism used to generate the electrons is completely
different. It is non-thermionic and uses the physical
properties of the “field emission effect” and “quantum
tunnelling”, whereby a low voltage is applied to a very Figure 8. Non-Emissive Displays pixel structure and operation
large number of tiny, highly pointed cathodes in order to
release electrons. These cathodes can be made from a OLED – Organic Light Emitting Diode
number of possible materials including carbon inks, OLEDs use a very thin film of an organic substance that
diamond-based structures, Spindt tips (molybdenum) and can emit red, green, blue or white light when a charge is
carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are one of the new applied. Display devices are made of layers of this organic
products emerging from the field of nanotechnology. material sandwiched between a positive (anode) layer and a
LED – Light Emitting Diode negative (cathode) layer. When a charge is applied, energy
The LED device is essentially a semiconductor diode, passing between these two layers stimulates the organic
emitting light when a forward bias voltage is applied to a p- layer into emitting light in a process called
n junction. The light intensity is proportional to the bias electrophosphorescence. The OLED technology has the
current and the colour dependent on the material used. The potential for large-scale production using printing processes
p-n junction is formed in a III-V group material, such as and it is believed it would overcome some of the limitations
aluminum, gallium, indium, phosphorous, antimony, or of LCDs [25].
arsenic. These characteristics, particularly the low power
consumption, made OLEDs promising for smaller display
ELD – Electro-Luminescent Displays screens and they are already being used in handheld
A phosphorous film between glass plates emits light devices.
when an electric field is created across the film. The ELD Non-Emissive Display Technologies
uses a polycrystalline phosphorous (similar to LED The non-emissive display simplified pixel structure and
technology, which is also an electroluminescent emitter, but the operation principles are illustrated in Fig. 8.
uses a single crystal semi-conductor). ELDs are doped (as a
semiconductor) with specific impurities to provide energy LCD - Liquid Crystal
states that lie slightly below those of mobile electrons and A liquid crystal material acts like a shutter: it blocks,
slightly above those of electrons bound to atoms. Impurity dims, or passes light unobstructed, depending on the
states are used to provide initial and final states in emitting magnitude of the electric field across the material.
transitions. The thin film EL (TFEL) using active matrix Backlight is provided by the light source.
addressing has the widest application [24]. To form a working LCD, individual components (glass
PDP – Plasma Displays casing, liquid crystal cell, alignment layer, conductive
electrodes and polarizers) are combined. Light entering the
Plasma screens are composed of millions of cells display is guided by the orientation of the liquid crystal
sandwiched between two panels of glass. Placed between molecules twisted by ninety degrees from the top plate to
the glass plates extending across the entire screen, there are the bottom. This twist allows the incoming light to pass
long electrodes known as address electrodes and display through the second polarizer. When voltage is applied, the
electrodes which form a grid. The address electrodes are liquid crystal molecules straighten out and stop redirecting
printed onto the rear glass plate. The transparent display light. As a result, light travels straight through and is
electrodes, insulated by a dielectric material and covered by filtered out by the second polarizer. Consequently, no light
a protective magnesium oxide layer, are located above the can pass through, making this region darker compared to
cells along the front glass plate. The electrodes intersecting the rest of the screen.
a specific cell are charged in order to excite a xenon and High-end displays today have easily 256 different levels
neon gas mixture contained within each cell. When the gas of light or shades allowing a grey scale range in which
mixture is excited creating plasma, it releases ultraviolet graphics and characters can be displayed in many varying
light which then excites the phosphorous electrons located intensities [22, 23].
on the sides of the cells. When these electrons revert back The AMLCD Basic Technologies defining the AMLCD
to their original lower energy state, visible light is emitted. panel structure and functioning, as illustrated in Fig. 9, are:
Each PDP pixel is composed of three cells containing red, TN - Twisted Nematic
green, and blue phosphorous respectively. STN - Super Twisted Nematic
76 LIVADA,B.: AVIONIC DISPLAYS

VA (MVA) - Vertical Alignment (Multidomain Vertical same time, they are transmissive and could be overlaid to
Alignment) display. This allows integration of the display visual
IPS (AFFS) - In Plane Switching ( Advanced Field Fringe content and touch position detection into unique human
Switching), machine interface capability. This capability makes them
The AMLCD technology comparison is presented in very suitable as a data input device for mobile applications.
Table 3. The touch technology could also be useful in all
applications including some avionic displays.
In order to be considered as suitable for integration, a
touch panel should have sufficiently high optical clarity,
transmission and touch position sensing resolution, at least.
The major benefits of the touch technologies are:
Easy to use – what you see you touch to generate
command
Flexible –One can implement different options using the
same interface
Upgradeable – easy and fast changes through the software
Cost Effective – relatively cheap technical solution
Rugged and reliable – could be used in the extremely harsh
environment
Regarding the promising capabilities, a lot of effort was
made in the development of suitable technologies. There
are some of them applicable in avionic displays:
- Resistive (RES)
- Capacitive & Projective Capacitive (CAP)
Figure 9. AMLCD pixel basic technologies - Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW)
- Infrared Array Sensor (IR)
Table 3. AMLCD Technology Comparison Table 4. Touch Screen Technology Comparison
AMLCD technology Touch panel technology
Benefits Benefits
C-TN VA IPS FFS IR RES CAP SAW
Viewing Angle } › › › Vandal Resistant › } } }
Response Time } › } } Scratch Resistant › } } }
Contrast Ratio ∇ › } } Not sensitive to dirt › › } ∇
Angular Colour uniformity ∇ › › › Non Sensitive to EMI › › ∇ ∇
Transmission } › ∇ › Can be FINGRER operated › › › ›
Manufacturability › ∇ } › Can be GLOVE operated › › } ›
Power consumption › › ∇ } Can be hermetically sealed › › ∇ }
› - excellent, } - good, ∇ - bad Sensitivity to temperature › } › ›
Suit military environment › } › ›
MEMS-(DMD) – Projection Display Technologies
Integration suitability › › › ∇
MEMSs (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) are
NVIS compatibility ∇ › › ›
miniature devices which integrate actuators, sensors and
processors to form intelligent systems. Functional optical › - excellent, } - good, ∇ - bad
sub-systems control light transmission or reflection. There
are few emerging technologies still in development Ruggedization Technologies
(Grating valve display, Pixtronix MEMS shutter with Field There are various ruggedization techniques applicable to
sequential RGB backlight, Mirasol displays based on bi- enhance display properties.
stable interferometric modulation). The only one having Optical bonding: One of the most important ones is
mass production and application is the digitally controlled optical bonding that allows us to join different layers (glass,
mirror based reflective projection technology. filters, or films) to enhance the display rigidity and the
The DLP technology is a system that uses an optical display front surface optical or conductive properties. The
semiconductor developed by Dr. Larry Hornbeck of Texas resultant assembly is very rugged, shock-, impact- and
Instruments in 1987. This device, known as a Digital vibration-resistant, maximizing the optical properties at the
Micro-mirror Device (DMD chip), is essentially a very same time. Two main technologies used for optical bonding
precise light switch that can digitally modulate light are: (a) liquid bonding (using silicones, epoxies,
through the use of 2 million hinge-mounted microscopic polyurethane) – Optically Clear Adhesive (OCA) and (b)
mirrors arranged in a rectangular array. Combined with a dry bonding (using a roll-on process based on the
digital video or graphic signal, a light source and a application of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA). [31, 32].
projection lens, the mirrors of the DMD chip can reflect an Resizing: To allow that AMLCD COTS displays could
all-digital image onto any surface. be used in displays requiring a specific shape, the resizing
Touch-panel Technologies process was applied. This is a complex process [27-30],
protected with patents. Resizing has an important role in the
Touch Panel – Screen is a position sensitive device,
AMLCD technology application, mainly in cockpits, but
which could be activated using a finger or a stylus. In the
could be used in any other application.
 LIVADA,B.: AVIONIC DISPLAYS 77

Environmental Strengthening: Displays should work Table 6. Display Technology and basic properties comparison
within a wide temperature range, so additional heating used
at low temperatures should be applied. There is usually no
forced cooling so conductive cooling and proper thermal
management should be applied as well. Displays should be
capable of operating at low pressures and at high altitudes,
which requires appropriate design solutions.
Electromagnetic Shielding: EMI interference could be
critical in the avionic environment. The display EMI
shielding is demanding but an achievable task. There are
several techniques suitable and proved for EMI shielding
optimization: (a) EMI filtering on the PCB; (b) proper
grounding techniques; (c) transparent conductive layer over
the display active surface (ITO or micro-mesh), forming a
proper Faraday cage together with the metal housing.
Mechanical Strengthening: Displays should be
operational in harsh conditions (vibration, shock, etc.),
which requires an adequate mechanical design. In 1990s, R&D in display devices was accelerated at an
unprecedented level and long-term development road-map
were set down [7, [5]. The related development were
Display Technology comparison concentrated on two types of flat panels, one for primary
Multifunctional and moving-map displays were the first flight instruments and the other for behind-the-cockpit
objectives to generate new developments using any new displays for sensors and flight or air-traffic control needs.
technology available. The AMLCD storage, start up and operating
CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes) in varying degrees of temperatures were tricky issues. The LC materials could
flatness were used for years. remain operable, although slower, down to -40°C and
Electroluminescence panels followed, introducing all lower. The speed of operation can be increased with heating
solid – state compact display technology in the cockpit. The via a transparent Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) thin-film heater
main disadvantage was a relatively low luminance level and applied close to the AMLCD glass. In addition, the
no colour panel available in mass production. The backlight acts as a heater, because of its power dissipation,
introduction of AMLCD in avionics application in the mid- increasing the AMLCD surface temperature up to 15oC in
1980s [7] as a feasible technology was an example how some cases.
commercial COTS components could find application in The upper temperature is limited by the clearance point
the demanding environment as avionics is. of the LC material. Above the clearance point temperature,
A rough comparison of the different features of display an immediate but reversible loss of image occurs. Modern
technologies is presented in Table 5 and Table 6. LC materials can be produced with a clearance point
temperature of over 100°C without sacrificing other
Table 5: Display Technology feature suitability comparison properties.
High Reliability & Long Lifetime
BIT (Built In Test) and Controls
Specific Video Signal Formats
Increased Colour Rendering
Controlled Viewing Angle

Display
Increased Colour Gamut
Wide temperature range

Special Bezel Functions

NVIS Compatibility

Features
Sun Readability
High Brightness

EMI Shielding
High Contrast

Display
Technology
⇓

AMLCD › › › › › › › › › › › › ›
CRT › › › › › › › › › › › › ›
FED › › › › › › › › › › › › ›

LED › › › › › › : : Ê › › › ›
Figure 10. AMLCD Display Technology development interconnection
ELD Ê : › Ê › › : : Ê › › › ›
The back-lit AMLCD is unique in several ways, which
PDP Ê : › › Ê › › › › › › › › proves to be a highly desirable attribute for the avionic use.
OLED Ê : › Ê : Ê › › › › : › › The following objectives for primary aviation instruments
are satisfied by the AMLCD: (i) low volume with low
MEMS - DMD › › › › › › › › › › › › ›
weight and power preferably without forced air cooling; (ii)
a wide luminance range is easily achievable (from 0.05 fL
› - Excellent capability to as high as 300 fL; (iii) colour primaries of saturated red,
Ê - Some capability green and blue with at least 64 shades of gray in each
: - Pure or no capability
78 LIVADA,B.: AVIONIC DISPLAYS

primary; (iv) wide viewing angles greater than ± 60° in future, there is no any advanced display technology that can
both horizontal and vertical direction, (v) readability in high replace back-lit AMLCDs.
ambient illumination with contrast ratios of at least ten to Resized AMLCD panels were used in the past and will
one; (vi) high uniformity without distortion with resolution be used in the future in all cockpit retrofit projects, but in
through the image plane with at least 160 PPI addressable new designs the commercially-sized big AMLCD active
pixels density, and (vii) frame rates of at least 20 and up to area will be more often used.
80 frames per second. The AMOLED displays are a new and competitive
The AMLCD display technology development was technology with mass production for mobile device-related
supported with technology developments in other areas as applications and potential mass production for TV-related
illustrated in Fig.10. The semiconductor technology applications. There are some issues in the operation
contributed through more capable driving circuits. LED temperature range, panel life time, relatively low luminance
lightning developments contribute to all solid state backlight and suitability for ruggedization, thus lowering a possibility
(both R,G,B and white LED). New, more efficient LEDs for a successful application in avionic systems.
contribute to lower power consumption. Solid state lightning The AMOLED technology will not be ready for mass
needs forced mass production thus lowering the LED price. application in avionic-suitable sizes in the next five years.
Plasma TV technology developments contribute to better Tiled displays with a large active area (both AMLCD
fluorescence material contributing to higher white LED and projection display-based) are looking for new avionic-
efficacy. Mobile device technology development forced related applications on the ground.
lower power consumption and the application of LC Touch screens and 3D displays are in consideration [33],
materials with a higher clearance temperature. but more research effort is necessary regarding the influence
The AMLCD market is highly dynamic, changing of the human factor on the effectivity of application.
directions in assortment. This is the weakest point of the Technology is ready for new challenges, but more
COTS AMLCD application in avionic displays. The research regarding the influence of the Human Factor should
monitor displays selection moved to higher diagonal sizes be done before new display development directions are set.
(19”, 22”). Laptop displays adopted mainly the wide format
following HD resolution needs. Industrial and automotive References
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Avionski displeji
U radu su analizirane osnovne funkcije i dimenzije avionskih displeja, kao osnova za analizu primena različitih
tehnologija displeja u teškim uslovima primene u avionu. Za definisanje avionskih displeja su važne veličina aktivne
površine i dimenzije displeja ali i druge karakteristike kao što su: luminancija (sjajnost), rezolucija, vidni ugao,
karakteristike boje, broj nivoa sivog, kompatibilnost za primenu pojačavača slike, čitljivost na suncu.
Diskutovane su tipične vrednosti odabranih tehničkih zahteva za avionske displeje. U članku se daje kratak pregled
najvažnijih tehnologija displeja i njihova pogodnost za ispunjenje osnovnih zahteva.
Koncept primene ojačanih komercijalnih komponenti (Commercial Off The Shelf – COTS) je uspešno primenjen i u
slučaju aktivnih matrica sa tečnim kristalima (AMLCD - Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display), posle razrešenja
početnih problema. AMLCD tehnologija je postala dominantna za primenu u avionici, a i u ostalim vojnim primenama.

Ključne reči: avionika, avionski displej, nove tehnologije, tečni kristali.

Авиационный дисплей
В статье рассматриваются основные особенности и размеры авиационных дисплеев, в качестве основы для
анализа применения различных технологий отображения в трудных условиях в авиакосмической
промышленности. Для определиния плоскости для отображения размеров важны размеры активной области
экрана и других функций, таких как: лунинация (яркость), разрешение, угол обзора, цветовые характеристики,
количество оттенков серого, совместимость приложений яркости изображения, читаемость на солнце.
Мы рассмотрим типичные значения отдельных технических требований к авиационным дисплеям. В статье
приводится краткий обзор наиболее важных технологий отображения и их пригодности для удовлетворения
основных потребностей.
Понятие коммерческого применения усиленных компонентов (Commercial Of The Shelf – COTS) было успешно
применено в случае активной матрицы дисплея с жидкими кристаллами (AMLCD – активная матрица
жидкокристаллического дисплея), после устранения начальных проблем. AMLCD технология стала
доминирующей для использования в самолётах и в других военных применениях.

Ключевые слова: бортовое оборудование, авиационный дисплей, новые технологии, жидкие кристаллы.

Affichage d’avion
Dans ce papier on a analysé les fonctions basiques et les dimensions des affichages d’avion comme la base pour l’étude
d’application de différentes technologies de l’affichage dans les conditions difficiles d’emploi chez les avions. Pour définir
ces affichages les dimensions de la surface active et celle d’affichage sont très importantes ainsi que les autres
caractéristiques telles que : luminance, résolution, angle de visibilité, couleurs, gamme de gris, compatibilité avec
l’amplificateur d’image, lisibilité à la lumière de soleil. On a discuté les valeurs typiques des exigences techniques choisies
pour les affichages d’avion. On a donné aussi un court compte rendu sur les technologies d’affichages les plus
importantes et sur leur convenance pour accomplir les exigences basiques. Le concept d’emploi des composantes
commerciales renforcées (Commercial Off The Shelf – COTS) a été utilisé avec succès chez les matrices actives aux
cristaux liquides (AMLCD – Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display) après la résolution des problèmes initiaux. La
technologie AMLCD est devenue dominante dans l’utilisation en avionique ainsi que dans les autres applications
militaires.

Mots clés: avionique, affichage d’avion, nouvelles technologies, cristaux liquides.