SBIR-STTR Award

The purpose of this proposed SBIR Phase I effort is to evaluate the technical and economic potential for Active Matrix Electrouminescent (AMEL) display technology in military and commercial applications. This work will focus on evaluating the potential for high resolution miniature Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) and larger active area displays for Persona Digital assistant (PDA) applications. The work will consist of a detailed study of potential customer requirements and the technical/manufacturing challenges to be met. In addition, the NAWCTSD will be provided with a fully functional Active Matric Electroluminescent 640x480 monochorome display including all interface and control electronics for internal evaluation.

Under this program, Planar and its partners will develop a 1280x1024 AMEL display utilizing pixels with 12 um pitch. Capitalizing on 12 um pixel development funded by ARPA, the partners will desing the 1280x1024 array, process five(5) wafer lots through IC and EL processing, package, test and deliver AMEL displays for HMD integration. The resulting display will result in a package size of 0.7 in x 0.52 in and be mounted in an existing HMD designed for training and simulation. Additionally, Planar will develop drive electronics for the 1280x1024 display and , with Kaiser Electro-Optics, support a demonstration of the AMEL based HMD. The compelling reason for developing the high resolution AMEL image sources for simulation HMDs is to eliminate the system and human factor issues with CRT image sources. Advantages will be the significant reduction in weight and bulk, power requirements and cost of the HMD, while achieving the same image quality as CRT based systems. The AMEL image source will enable system developers to reduce the HMD weight by over 1 lb. In volume production, the cost of the AMEL image source should be less than 10% of today's CRTs.