Ra-Tek solves sunlight readable LCDs challenge

Anders Electronics has solved the sunlight readability challenges of transmissive LCDs, using the sun’s own energy instead of extra high-powered backlights.

Ra-Tek is an easily applied technology that can be used to augment any transmissive LCD from any manufacturer, with no additional backlighting or mechanical alterations required. This enables sunlight readability without requiring intense VHB or UHB backlights, saving current consumption, simplifying power supply design and easing thermal management. In addition, transmissive displays enhanced by Ra-Tek improve contrast ratio by eliminating the leakage of VHB or UHB backlighting into the LCD material. Another advantage is good colour fidelity throughout a wide viewing angle. Transflective technology, which is the major sunlight readable alternative not dependent upon extra backlight intensity, cannot match this performance. Hence Ra-Tek allows designers to satisfy the increasing number of opportunities for LCDs in outdoor applications, at low cost of implementation and low cost of ownership.

All kiosk-type machines and LCD electronic signage, as well as numerous portable and battery powered terminals required to operate outdoors, will benefit from the low power, small size and easy integration made possible by Ra-Tek. Since no extra power is consumed or heat generated, compared to using conventional high-brightness backlights, battery life can be extended, small enclosure dimensions are not compromised, and additional heatsinks or forced air cooling can be eliminated from the design effort and bill of materials. Ra-Tek also eliminates legacy support issues, since it is compatible with any LCD display without redesign or modification.

Ra-Tek is a photon enhancement technology, and is implemented using reflective layers placed behind the glass LCD screen and in front of the backlights. Light penetrating the glass is reflected back by the Ra-Tek film to provide additional lighting for the display. The effect enhances the transmissive throughput of existing liquid crystal displays to achieve a greater level of brightness in all environments. In some cases, this can serve to double the native nit count of a standard TFT display.

Anders Electronics is able to enhance LCDs from its own supplier portfolio, or from any other supplier at customer request, on a low-cost, fast-turnaround basis from its offshore facility in Taiwan.