Driver expands appeal of passive matrix OLEDs

A Dialog Semiconductor product story

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Feb 7, 2008

The use of lower power and lower cost passive matrix OLEDs can be extended to higher resolution main displays on mobile devices.

New SmartXtend technology from Dialog Semiconductor will allow the main displays of many mobile devices - particularly those offering W-QVGA and QVGA resolution - to use passive matrix OLED displays rather than LCDs or active matrix OLEDs.

Passive matrix OLEDs are available at a much lower cost compared with active matrix OLEDs while providing the same advantages in terms of video quality and performance.

The new SmartXtend technology, which combines a number of innovative design techniques including a unique multi-line addressing scheme, accurate dynamic current matching and state-of-the-art power management, will form the basis of a new family of display drivers to be developed by Dialog Semiconductor for passive matrix OLEDs.

SmartXtend is designed to significantly extend the lifetime of passive matrix OLED displays; it reduces the peak current by up to 30% and power consumption by up to 30% compared with the conventional passive matrix driving scheme.

According to Manoj Thanigasalam, General Manager of Dialog's Displays System Business: "As OLEDs increasingly replace active or passive matrix LCD displays, we believe SmartXtend allows Dialog to develop a roadmap of products that give mobile device manufacturers an alternative to the current trend of using active matrix OLEDs in the primary display".

"SmartXtend, which is being evaluated by a number of our customers, will allow the use of lower power and lower cost passive matrix OLEDs to be extended to higher resolution main displays on mobile devices".

The SmartXtend technology is part of a range of advanced display driver technologies available from Dialog for a diverse range of low power mobile applications - from electronic paper displays and MEMS, to active matrix OLEDs.

All its display drivers are highly integrated mixed signal high voltage CMOS solutions designed for the next generation of always-on low power displays, available as both standard and custom products.