USDC
INITIATES R&D PROGRAM TO FUND INTEGRATION
OF OLEDs INTO MILITARY PRODUCTS
Contract award to Rockwell Collins
and General Dynamics Canada will provide challenging test for
new types of electronic displays
- Integration of organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs) into military platforms will be tested under an R&D contract issued by the U.S. Display Consortium (USDC) to defense contractors Rockwell Collins (Cedar Rapids, IA) and General Dynamics (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). The $865,000 award is among the first attempts to use OLEDs in military communications and armament products. The USDC is a public/private partnership chartered with developing the flat panel display (FPD) industry supply chain
The newest USDC contract will be in two parts and cost shared equally between the consortium and Rockwell Collins. In the first part of the project, Rockwell Collins will integrate a 2-3 inch OLED device into a next generation handheld navigation/data display unit. The prototype work will be conducted by Rockwell Collins at Ft. Huachuca, AZ. General Dynamics Canada, as a subcontractor to Rockwell Collins, will conduct the second part of the project at the Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. An artillery weapon and a mortar system are the platforms selected by General Dynamics for OLED integration.
Electronic displays must function in a variety of environments and military applications provide the ultimate test of product reliability. The OLED integration project being supported by the USDC funds will test various electro-optical characteristics, including luminance, specular and diffuse reflectance, contrast, chromaticity and image retention. Additionally, temperature and humidity tests will determine the durability of the OLED displays in rugged environments.
"While the majority of the R&D funding awarded by the USDC focuses on supply chain innovations, it is important that we also assure the suitability of new display technologies for application by the Army," stated Michael Ciesinski, USDC's president. "This project is not only important to meet military needs, but also to support eventual commercial applications by assuring reliability and defining requirements in these early adopter applications," he added.
OLED technology is attracting significant attention and corporate investment from firms such as Kodak, DuPont, Universal Display Corporation and Cambridge Display Technology, among others. Unlike liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which require backlights to function properly, OLEDs emit light when an electrical current is applied. Eliminating the backlight results in a more rugged device with the potential to consume less power, while providing a brighter image. These are important features for portable display applications.
"As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I have supported the development of advanced displays," said Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). "It is good to see this technology move closer to operational use with our armed forces, and that an Iowa firm is responsible to integrate OLED technology into military communications and armament products."
The USDC program is a collaborative effort of private industry and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located in Adelphi, MD.
For more information, please contact:
US Display Consortium
Heidi Hoffman
84 W. Santa Clara Street, Ste. 790
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 993-8111
heidi@usdc.org
Rockwell Collins
Jeffrey Moder
PH: 319-295-0591
FAX: 319-295-4333
jdmoder@rockwellcollins.com
About the U.S. Display Consortium
The U.S. Display Consortium is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display and flexible microelectronics manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information about the USDC can be found at www.usdc.org
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a leader in aviation electronics and communications for government and commercial applications. Rockwell Collins is a global company providing aviation electronics for the world's aircraft manufacturers and more than 400 airline customers, as well as a major share of the world's military forces. The company maintains headquarters and manufacturing operations in the United States in addition to locations in Europe, Australia and Mexico. For more information, visit the company website at www.rockwellcollins.com
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