USDC-Sponsored R&D Program Yields Low-Cost, Resizable Liquid Crystal Displays Validated for Custom Military Applications

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Signaling a significant milestone for the display industry, the U.S. Display Consortium (USDC) today announced that General Dynamics Canada has successfully validated the use of a resized commercial Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AMLCD) device within the military ground-mobile operational environment. Resized commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) display components provide high-performance solutions at a cost estimated at one-tenth the cost of equivalent custom displays.

"Prior to the completion of this project, LCD resizing technology was unproven and considered to be an unacceptable risk element for military display solutions. USDC, General Dynamics Canada and other participating companies have taken a major step forward in enabling affordable COTS-based form-fit-function display solutions. This work is of vital importance to the U.S. Army in sustaining existing custom-format systems, as well as providing more economical custom-fit display solutions for new weapons systems," stated Dr. John Pellegrino, Director of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate, which provides oversight to the USDC program.

Commercial display components are available in fixed, "standard" sizes that in many cases do not match the needs of military and other rugged environment applications. Custom-manufactured solutions for "non-standard" military requirements, on the other hand, are expensive and can easily cost 10X the cost of a commercial product. The ability to cut and resize lower-cost commercial LCD components to match the needs of both new and established weapon systems is an important factor in minimizing the cost of integrating displays into military equipment. However, resizing commercial display components involve new manufacturing processes that introduce additional stress on the display during the electronics disassembly, glass cutting, resealing and electronics reattachment.

Under contract with the USDC, General Dynamics Canada produced and implemented a resized AMLCD equivalent of its custom-format Electroluminescent (EL) display product and subjected the resized LCD to the same performance, environmental and EMI qualification tests specified for displays used in the U.S. Army's Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS). The MGS is a multi-wheeled, lightweight armored vehicle that mounts a 105mm gun, and which operates in extreme conditions -- offering an ideal test environment for the resized COTS display components.

According to John Thomas of General Dynamics Canada, "The resized LCD version of the MGS display yielded significant performance improvements and met all environmental and EMI test requirements." General Dynamics Canada is a member of USDC's Military and Avionics User Group (MAUG), which is chartered with identifying and managing display integration projects.

Working as a subcontractor to GDC on the USDC AMLCD resizing program, Interface Displays and Controls of Oceanside, Calif., undertook a companion study to qualify cut glass for airborne applications. Their results were similar and reinforced the conclusion that cut LCD glass is suitable for airborne applications.

General Dynamics Canada plans to build on these findings and will offer display solutions that include resized COTS display components. General Dynamics provides both the vehicle and all associated integrated weapons systems, including the displays, for the MGS.

About USDC

The USDC is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium's primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information can be found at http://www.usdc.org/.

About General Dynamics Canada

General Dynamics Canada is world leader in militarized flat panel displays. Applications include armored vehicles, reconnaissance aircraft, ships, submarines and flight line test equipment. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics , headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia.

About the Army Research Laboratory

The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is the Army's corporate basic and applied research laboratory. ARL's mission is to provide innovative science, technology, and analysis to enable full-spectrum operations. The Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD) is the principal Army organization for research and development in sensors and electron devices. SEDD conducts innovative research to provide the Army with affordable enabling technology in electro-optic smart sensors, multifunction radio frequency (RF), autonomous sensing, power generation and management, and signature management. SEDD coordinates technologies within the Army, other services and their laboratories, industry, and academia to leverage basic and applied research opportunities for the benefit of the Army. More information can be obtained at http://www.arl.army.mil/