SmartXtend Technology Drives Higher Resolution in PMOLED Displays

( 1 Jul 2008 )

Dialog Semiconductor Plc's SmartXtend display driver technology is designed to extend operating life, increase resolution and reduce power consumption of passive matrix OLED (PMOLED) displays, enabling their use in the main displays of video-enabled mobile devices. Passive matrix OLED technology is established in the market for lower resolution displays. By enabling PMOLEDs to drive higher W-QVGA and QVGA resolution displays, SmartXtend gives mobile phone manufacturers the option of using passive matrix OLEDs in the main displays of their handsets, providing the same advantages as the more expensive active matrix OLEDs in terms of video quality and performance.

According to Manoj Thanigasalam, General Manager of Dialog's displays system business unit, SmartXtend provides the ability to use PMOLEDs to drive higher brightness, higher resolution panels. Together with other process improvements, the technology will help extend PMOLED from the sub-display—where they are currently shipping in high volumes—to the primary display of mobile devices. Passive matrix OLEDs have fewer steps in the supply chain and therefore have a simpler cost structure. PMOLEDs with higher pixel formats, better picture quality and lower costs, will open the door for new OLED display module makers to supply into the mobile device markets.

SmartXtend utilizes innovative design techniques such as a unique multi-line addressing scheme, accurate dynamic current matching and state-of-the-art power management. These features reduce peak current by up to 30 percent and power consumption by up to 30 percent compared to conventional passive matrix driving schemes, significantly extending the lifetime of passive matrix OLED displays.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc