Flat Panel Displays for Harardous Naval Combat Environments

This proposes research and development of improved flat panel displays. The proposed high definition graphic displays are for use in computer applications of all kinds, including environments that place high performance demands on display panels and high stress on support structures. Performance attributes proposed include: thin, lightweight, low-power, wide viewing angle, bright colors, quick response, display-centric in a wide variety of sizes ranging from large computer displays to hand-held portable communication devices. Application environments are exemplified by those encountered by special operations forces during day and night combatant craft operations. Panel ruggedness, with tolerance for vibration and water immersion are operational requirements. Light emitting diode (LED) technology is proposed for these applications. Electricity is directly converted into visible light. Flat panel displays employ integrated thin film transistor back planes that control front plane LED subpixel elements. The high switching speed of subpixel electronics tightly control graphic images with millions of vibrant color shadings without smearing. LED technology has a long history of use in many commonplace consumer products with high reliability and the proven technology is poised to economically respond to many performance and ruggedization challenges that active matrix liquid crystal display technology currently used onboard SOF craft cannot meet.