How does a liquid crystal display work?

Liquid crystal display technology works by blocking light. At the same time, electrical currents cause the liquid crystal molecules to align to allow varying levels of light to pass through to the second substrate and create the colors and images that you see.

How many layers does an LCD monitor have?

A very simple LCD is made up of seven layers. (See illustration below.) At the back of the screen is a layer of film that polarizes the light from the display backlighting so that all the electromagnetic waves that make up light are going in the same direction.

What is the difference between LCD and LED backlit monitor?

Both types of displays use liquid crystals to help create an image. The difference is in the backlights. While a standard LCD monitor uses fluorescent backlights, an LED monitor uses light-emitting diodes for backlights. And some backlight configurations create better images than others.

How do LED lights work?

An LED bulb produces light by passing the electric current through a semiconducting material—the diode—which then emits photons (light) through the principle of electroluminescence. Don’t let that big word scare you! The electrical resistance of the filament causes it to get so hot that it glows, producing light.

How do color LCD displays work?

An LCD TV screen uses the sunglasses trick to switch its colored pixels on or off. When it’s switched off, it rotates the light passing through it through 90 degrees, effectively allowing light to flow through the two polarizing filters and making the pixel look bright.

Which planes have LCD screens on them?

Airbus A380, A340-600 and new models of A319/320/321/330 aircraft will incorporate Thales LCDs. LCDs are more reliable than CRTs: Collins’ 8-by-8-inch DU-7001 LCD for the B747-400ER is guaranteed for 28,500 flight hours, compared with 5,560 on the DU-7000 CRT, which the DU-7001 replaces.

What will the next generation of cockpit displays look like?

Regarding cockpit display innovation, one thing is clear: The next generation of cockpit displays will be touchscreen, and they will mimic some of the pinching, pulling and swiping mechanisms that have become increasingly popular in consumer electronics, such as the iPhone and iPad.

Are LCDs the future of the aviation industry?

The aviation industry is moving from bulky, power-hungry cathode ray tubes (CRTs) to lighter, more reliable liquid crystal displays (LCDs). New aircraft types and versions have adopted LCDs. But a huge pool of electromechanical- and CRT-equipped aircraft remains to be tapped.

What type of display does a Boeing 747 have?

In air transport Boeing pioneered flat panel primary flight displays (PFDs) on the B777 aircraft with Honeywell LCDs. Next-generation B737s also use Honeywell LCDs. New B747-400s and the B747-400ER, as well as B767-400s, use Rockwell Collins flat panel displays.