Overview of 2012

ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY, a leading supplier of TFT and LC displays for industrial applications, has significantly expanded its range of evaluation kits for the proprietary eDIP product family. This marks yet another expansion of the company’s support for application developers: The evaluation kits offer customers a valuable introduction to the possibilities afforded by the intelligent displays. The boards are now available for 7 different display types, from 3.2” through 7”.

The evaluation kits each contain an intelligent display with touch panel as well as an interface board for direct connection to the PC. The board is connected by USB to a computer on which the development environment that is also supplied is installed. This allows any demos to be created, internal character sets modified and in-house macros defined. All of this is aided by countless “how-to-use” examples to copy.

The intelligent display is accommodated by 2 sockets on an evaluation board on which typical usage scenarios can be configured and trialed. These include various interfaces such as SPI, RS-232, I²C and USB, as well as 2 potentiometers,  8 push buttons and just as many LEDs. The potentiometers allow users to simulate analog input signals; the buttons imitate digital inputs, while the LEDs indicate the logical levels at the corresponding outputs. The board is also configured with other LEDs to indicate data traffic and the transmit buffer. Optional expansion boards provide additional interface specifications and allow the developer to model his target environment even more closely.

The associated PC development software comprises a source text editor with built-in compiler as a central element. Closely linked to the editor are other tools such as a terminal, a bitmap editor and an editor for creating and editing virtual pointer instruments on the display. This environment enables developers to integrate the display quickly and conveniently into their target application.

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Data sheet as pdf file

A high contrast ratio combined with  good readability from all angles are key quality factors for many display applications. These characteristics are standard features of screens based on organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which in the past have not been rugged enough to be broadly implemented for industrial use. The display manufacturer  ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY is aiming to target that issue. The implementation of a patented technology can dramatically increase the life time of OLED displays.

Using OLED displays is not just a favorable option in terms of aesthetics  since they also feature an extremely high contrast ratio of at least 2000: 1. High contrast considerably improves the readability of displays. The same applies for a further important characteristic of OLED displays, the  extremely wide viewing angle. Industrial applications where high-quality materials and prefabricated assemblies are often processed  also require quick response times. Good readability can significantly contribute to the safety of the overall system as well as for the persons working on it. Till now, however, the primary implementation of OLED displays was limited to consumer electronic products such as smartphones and digital cameras. The reason for this: In comparison to conventional displays the limited service life expectancy rendered the organic display panels unsuitable for use in products with a long service life.

But now, this is about to change. The display specialist  ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY introduced a range of OLED displays into the market whose life time absolutely rivals that of conventional TFT and LCD panels. At room temperature, these products can deliver a service life performance of 100,000 operating hours and more – a life expectancy that most conventional display units can’t even come close to. Our OLED displays are not just limited to  operation at favorable room temperatures, they can also function flawlessly in machine rooms and other demanding environments. With a maximum operating temperature of 80°C, they are able to operate under conditions that are far too extreme for  humans. And even after 14,000 operating hours under these thermal conditions, the new OLED displays can still deliver 50% of their initial brightness. Even at arctic temperatures these OLEDs are not prone to   failure – quite the contrary. They can even be operated at -40°C without any loss of contrast. Unlike conventional  LCDs, whose reaction times become increasingly slow at lower temperatures, OLEDs maintain their extremely fast response time of 10 microseconds even at subzero temperatures.

The OLED product range of ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY is comprised of 9 different models, which are available in various colors and sizes. All models are equipped with an integrated alphanumeric controller, whose instruction set is based on the HD44780 controller. The 3 most important character sets – European, Cyrillic and Japanese – are all contained in the controller of the displays;  special characters can be defined additionally. The modules need only a simple form of power supply and feature low power consumption between 15 and 50mA. Depending on the module, the screens can display 2 lines with between  8 and 20 characters or 4 lines with 20 characters per line.

The 7-inch EA eDIPTFT70-ATP made by ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY sets new design standards for interactive operator control systems. Brilliant display quality, 800x480-pixel resolution, built-in intelligence and innovative, user-friendly features provide the ideal platform for the development of interactive controls. For example, a virtual keyboard can be embedded directly into the graphics display, and the display is also capable of providing acoustic feedback to the user.
These features make it much easier to program an interactive user interface. A virtual keyboard can be generated on the touch panel screen with just a few instructions which resemble high -level language programming code. The keyboard functionality includes an  edit box which enables users to view what they have entered and make any necessary corrections prior to submitting the data.
The acoustic features of the display are equally impressive. Developers can provide a broad spectrum of acoustic feedback ranging from simple key clicks to brief jingles which act as warning or status messages.
Programming is very simple and straightforward. Powerful instructions enhance productivity during solution development and reduce time to market. Lines, areas and bar graphs can be defined and displayed with a single instruction. Defining the appearance, size, placement and function of keys and buttons is equally fast and easy.
The EA eDIPTFT70-ATP offers a number of other features which support user-friendly programming and sophisticated image design including a flash memory to store fonts, images, animation sequences and macros.  8 predefined fonts are provided. A set of parameters is available for scaling and modifying the fonts. TrueType fonts can also be imported. Input data can be displayed on predefined virtual analog instruments, which can be tailored to suit the needs of the user. Built-in macro pages and string tables are provided to support multiple languages, an important consideration for equipment, machinery and systems which are destined for export markets.
An evaluation kit is available to help you get your EA eDIPTFT70-ATP development project started. A USB port provides connectivity to a PC where the actual software development takes place.
Integration of the intelligent display into a device or system controller is very easy from a technical standpoint. 3 different ports are available for communication with the system. Only 1 supply voltage is needed. A mounting bezel is available as an option. The product series includes 6 other displays in sizes starting from 3.2 inches.

Other features:
– TFT graphics display with LED background lighting
– 800x480-pixel resolution, 16 bit (65,536 colors)
– 8 predefined fonts, True Type fonts can be imported
– Macros and programming instructions resembling high -level language code
– Virtual keyboard contained in the instruction set
– User-friendly development environment
– Analog touch pad with variable grid
– 8 digital inputs, 8 outputs
– 2 analog inputs 

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Data sheet as pdf file

ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY, a leading supplier of TFT and LC displays for industrial applications, has added the EA DOGM128-6 model to its EA DOGM product family. The 7 different optional LED backlights can be combined with 5 different display technologies to give some 20 different configurations. With its super-flat design and extraordinarily low energy requirements, the DOGM128-6 is particularly ideal for use in battery-operated mobile devices. An optional touch panel allows the implementation of interactive controls.

The DOGM128-6 boasts a resolution of 128x64 pixels. Alphanumeric characters can – depending on the character size – be displayed e.g. in 8 lines of 21 characters or 4 lines of 16 characters. The integrated ST 7565R controller provides a convenient means of control. The display comes with an integrated SPI interface for communication with the outside world. After a single calibration by command, the contrast is automatically kept constant by the temperature compensation facility that is also integrated.

The DOGM128-6 is available in 5 different technologies – FSTN positive, transflective; STN positive, yellow/green, transmissive; STN negative, blue, transmissive; FSTN negative, transmissive; and STN positive, yellow/green reflective. There are also 6 differently colored backlights to choose from for adaptation to various design requirements   , as well as an RGB version with a color change option. This allows a large number of different combinations to be put together, meeting almost any design preference.

Another positive feature of the DOGM128 is its absolutely compact form. Even with LED lighting the display is only 5.8mm thick; without lighting it is just 2mm thick. It has a footprint of 55x46mm and offers a window of 51x31mm. Assembly is a simple matter of soldering into the PCB. The display gets by on a single power supply (3.3V). Optional extras include a USB test board for connection to the PC, character sets on data media and electromechanical accessories for easier installation.

With its operating temperature range of -20  to +70°C, the display covers the requirements of most industrial applications. ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY  supplies the displays in quantities of as little as 1. The displays are normally held in stock.

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Data sheet as pdf file

The EA DIP204-6 LCD  module made by the display specialist ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY features LCD super-twist technology, a razor-sharp image and very simple mounting.

The EA DIP204-6 can display 4 lines containing 20 characters each. It is available with white characters on a blue background or black characters on a white background. The display is the ideal solution for attractively designed HMIs on electrical equipment and machinery. The onboard KS0073 controller (similar to the HD44780) manages user-friendly communications with the outside world.

Besides the character set containing 240 alphanumeric characters, the unit can also display 16 icons such as arrows or technical symbols, considerably simplifying the operation of the equipment on which the display is installed. System developers can also define up to 8 symbols of their own which can be stored and displayed just like alphanumeric characters. The display has a parallel data bus and a SPI port for data transfer with the control circuitry.

The EA DIP204-6 is extremely compact (only 75 millimeters wide). No complicated installation is necessary, as the unit can easily be soldered directly onto the PCB. The display can simply be plugged into a socket connector. A single voltage supplies power to the module including the LED lighting. With an operating temperature range of -20 to +70°C the display is designed to withstand harsh conditions. Automatic temperature compensation ensures that the display remains crisp and easily legible even under varying temperature conditions.

The EA DIP128-6 with a resolution of 128x64 pixels is a graphics-enabled alternative to the EA DIP204-6. It is supplied in the same housing as the EA DIP204-6.

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ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY can supply a data logger to monitor and record ambient temperature, relative humidity and dew point. The EA SYLOG-USB-2 is ideal for applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries, transportation and logistics and general laboratory use. The device can simply be inserted into a PC USB port for fast, uncomplicated analysis of the data which has been logged. Drivers for current versions of Windows are provided.

The EA SYLOG-USB-2 captures temperature and relative humidity data simultaneously and can store up to 16,382 readings. It also calculates the dew point for each reading. The data logging intervals can be in the range between 10 seconds and 12 hours and are user -selectable. The date and time when logging starts can also be preprogrammed.

Software is supplied for displaying the results on the computer screen in graphics format. The graphs can also be formatted for printing. The data can be converted into a variety of standard formats and exported for further processing.

Color LED indicators display the current device status. The LEDs also indicate whether pre-set minimum or maximum temperature thresholds have been exceeded, which is important  for verifying the integrity of the cooling chain in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The data logger has an operating temperature range of -35 to +80°C, which is equivalent to -31 to +176°F when the data logger is set to the Fahrenheit scale. The device also records the relative humidity between 0% and 100% and calculates the dew point. The data loggers  come with a long life and a replaceable lithium battery which normally lasts 1 year before needing replacement. A plastic cap provides IP67 protection, keeping out water and dust even during operation. 

Data sheet as pdf file

ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY has developed a completely assembled control panel for all types of equipment and machinery. The unit is ready to use right out of the box. The powerful, user-friendly command language supports rapid, straightforward integration of the control panel into the user’s application, taking the complexity out of HMI development.
The EA KIT129-6 contains a 128x64 pixel LCD  with full -graphics capability. An optional antiglare, scratch-resistant touch panel with a 5x3 array of on-screen controls is also available. The control panel can be supplied with white text/graphics displayed against a blue background or black display on a white background. The blue/white version is the right choice for all indoor applications, whereas the black/white model is intended for outdoor use even in direct sunlight.
On the touch panel version, the operator activates virtual controls on the display to enter commands. Labeling of the virtual keys can be changed on the fly to suit application needs. Key functions can be displayed in different languages. Multiple touch fields can also be combined to create a large virtual key. As an alternative to the touch panel, “real” individual hardware-based keys and matrix keyboards with up to 5x3 keys can be used for controlling the target application.
The control panel comes with a large selection of graphics routines and 5 different fonts which support horizontal and vertical scaling. Additional fonts can be added. The control panel is capable of managing and displaying up to 16 fonts. Text and graphics can be used in combination. Text strings and graphics can be positioned with pixel accuracy. Up to 256 images and graphics can be stored in the internal EEPROM and displayed on screen with a single instruction. The control panel is programmed using graphics commands which are similar to high-level language instructions and can be combined to create macros for specific functions. This eliminates the need for time-consuming and error-prone programming of character sets and graphics routines. “Draw bar graph,” “Define virtual touch key” and “Define blinking area” (cursor or key) are just a few examples of the user-friendly graphics functions which require only a single instruction.
A serial port with data rates up to 115,200 baud acts as the control interface for the EA KIT129-6. The supply voltage options are 5V or 9 to 35V. Besides the optional touch panel, a software for macro programming is also available.

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Data sheet as pdf file

ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY designed the EA DIP203-4 LCD module for applications where the display has to be clearly legible. The module comes with a high-contrast alphanumeric super-twist LCD for showing 4 20-character lines. LED background lighting supplied as a standard feature makes the text stand out clearly.
The dot -matrix display is available in 3 versions. Users can choose between black text on a yellow/green background, white text on a blue background or black on white. Automatic temperature compensation eliminates the need for contrast readjustment.
The onboard SSD1803 controller is 90% compatible with the widely-used HD44780 controller. The built-in character set provides 240 letters, numbers and symbols, and users can define an additional 8 characters. The controller has a high-speed SPI interface. A 4- and 8 -bit data bus interface is also available as an alternative.
The EA DIP203-4 is designed to make handling very easy during the manufacturing process. No mechanical assembly is necessary. The module is simply inserted into the PCB and soldered in place.
The display is powered from a single 3. 3V input. A  150mA constant current source is needed for the LED lighting on the green/yellow version or a  45mA on the blue/white and black/white versions. The large operating temperature  range (-20 to +70°C) makes the display ideal for a variety of industrial applications.
Other versions of the display in the same housing with the same pinout can also be supplied. Users can choose 1x8 or 2x16 character dot -matrix displays or full -graphics version with 122x32 pixels.

More information
Data sheet as pdf file