Display Modules - LCD, OLED Character and Numeric

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
EA DOGS104W-A Electronic Assembly (Display Visions)	LCD MOD 40 DIG 10 X 4 REFLECTIVE	384
LK204-25-422-WB-E Matrix Orbital	LCD MOD 80DIG 20X4 TRANSMIS BLUE	0
C202BXBSGN06NR3 Focus LCDs	20X2 STN GRAY CHARACTER LCD	1
NHD-0420CW-AG3 Newhaven Display, Intl.	LCD MODULE 80 DIG 20 X 4 PASSIVE	99
C162ALBVGSW2WN55PAB Focus LCDs	16X2 UWVD CHARACTER LCD	2
C162BLBFWSW6WT33PAB Focus LCDs	16X2 FSTN GRAY CHARACTER LCD	31
LK162A-4T-FGW Matrix Orbital	LCD MOD 32DIG 16X2 TRANSMISV WHT	0
C82AXBSYLY6WT55XAA Focus LCDs	8X2 STN YELLOW/GREEN CHARACTER L	175
NHD-0220D3Z-FL-GBW-V3 Newhaven Display, Intl.	LCD MOD 40DIG 20X2 TRANS YLW/GRN	206
NHD-0240AZ-FL-GBW Newhaven Display, Intl.	LCD MOD 80DIG 40X2 TRANS YLW/GRN	100
EA OLEDM204-LWA Electronic Assembly (Display Visions)	LCD MOD 80 DIG 20 X 4 OLED PINS	26
LCD-14074 SparkFun	LCD MODULE 80 DIG 20 X 4	22
C161A-YTY-LW65 Focus LCDs	16X1 STN YELLOW CHARACTER LCD	53
NHD-0216K1Z-FS(RGB)-FBW-REV1 Newhaven Display, Intl.	LCD MOD 32DIG 16X2 TRANSFL R/G/B	466
NHD-0216K1Z-FSO-GBW-L Newhaven Display, Intl.	LCD MOD 32DIG 16X2 TRANSFLCT ORG	0
LK202-25-R Matrix Orbital	LCD MOD 40DIG 20X2 TRANSMISV RED	0
C204C-BW-LW65 Focus LCDs	20X4 STN BLUE CHARACTER LCD	22
NHD-0420DZ-NSW-BBW Newhaven Display, Intl.	LCD MOD 80DIG 20X4 TRANSMISV WHT	690
C81BLGFGN06CT30XAG Focus LCDs	8X1 FSTN GRAY CHARACTER LCD	0
162K CC BC-3LP Displaytech	CHARACTER MODULE	498

Display Modules - LCD, OLED Character and Numeric

1. Overview

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) character/numeric modules are compact optoelectronic devices designed for displaying text, numbers, and simple symbols. LCDs operate by modulating light through liquid crystal layers with external backlighting, while OLEDs use organic compounds that emit light when electric current is applied. These modules are critical in modern electronics for their low power consumption, cost-effectiveness (LCDs), and high contrast/color fidelity (OLEDs), serving applications from consumer electronics to industrial equipment.

2. Major Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
LCD Character	Fixed character sets (ASCII), 8x5 pixel matrices, alphanumeric display	Calculators, cash registers, industrial controllers
LCD Numeric	7-segment or 14-segment designs, high visibility	Digital clocks, meters, thermostats
OLED Character	Self-emissive pixels, wide viewing angles, ultra-thin profile	Smart wearables, medical devices, portable instruments
OLED Numeric	Segmented OLEDs with programmable brightness, low-temperature operation	Automotive dashboards, avionics, outdoor equipment

3. Structure and Components

LCD Module: Comprises polarizing filters, glass substrates with Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrodes, liquid crystal material, and a backlight (LED/CCFL). Control circuitry includes a controller (e.g., HD44780) and driver ICs.

OLED Module: Contains anode (ITO), organic emissive layers (hole transport, emissive, electron transport), cathode (metal alloys), and a protective encapsulation layer. Active-matrix OLEDs (AMOLED) integrate Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) arrays for pixel control.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Resolution	Pixel count (e.g., 16x2 characters, 128x64 dots)	Determines display detail and readability
Size (Diagonal)	Physical dimensions (1.2" to 10")	Affects integration into devices
Brightness (cd/m )	LCD: 100-300, OLED: 100-1000	Impacts visibility in varying lighting
Contrast Ratio	LCD: 100:1-1000:1, OLED: 1,000,000:1	Defines clarity of displayed content
Viewing Angle	LCD: 40 -140 , OLED: 170 +	Determines usability from different angles
Power Consumption	LCD: 0.1-1W, OLED: 0.2-2W	Crucial for battery-powered devices
Lifetime (Hours)	LCD: 50,000+, OLED: 10,000-30,000	Affects long-term reliability

5. Application Fields

Consumer Electronics: Smartphones (LCD), smartwatches (OLED), home appliances
Industrial Control: PLCs, HMI panels, sensor displays
Medical Devices: Blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, infusion pumps
Automotive: Instrument clusters (OLED), HVAC controls (LCD)
Smart Grid: Energy meters, circuit breakers with LCD interfaces

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Sharp	LS013B7DH03	1.3" OLED, 128x128 resolution, -30 C to 70 C operation
Samsung Display	AMOLED Y-OLED Series	Flexible OLEDs for wearables, 0.96" to 1.5"
LG Display	LGD-0151FSW	1.5" LCD, 16x2 characters, ultra-low power mode
Honeywell	5111 Series LCD	Industrial-grade 4-line alphanumeric, RS232 interface
Varitronix	COG OLED-128064	128x64 dots, COG packaging, 5V single supply

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations include:

Display Requirements: Resolution, character set (ASCII/Unicode), color needs
Environmental Conditions: Operating temperature (-20 C to 85 C typical), humidity resistance
Power Constraints: Battery vs. mains-powered applications (OLEDs consume more power at high brightness)
Interface Compatibility: SPI, I2C, parallel, or UART interfaces
Cost vs. Performance: LCDs are cost-effective for static displays; OLEDs justify higher cost for dynamic content
Supply Chain Stability: Lifespan of components (e.g., backlight LEDs in LCDs)

8. Industry Trends

Future developments include:

Flexible OLEDs: Adoption in foldable devices and curved automotive dashboards
Energy Efficiency: Micro-LED hybrid modules for ultra-low standby power
Integration: Embedded touch sensors and gesture recognition
Miniaturization: Sub-1" micro-OLEDs for AR glasses and endoscopes
Material Innovation: Blue-phase liquid crystals for faster LCD response times
Smart Interfaces: IoT-enabled displays with wireless connectivity (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi)