Toshiba Launches a Low-Temperature Polysilicon TFT LCD With High-Accuracy DA Converter and Amplifier Integrated

    TOKYO, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba Corporation today announced
 innovations in the design and manufacture of low-temperature polysilicon thin
 film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays (LCD) that significantly boost
 pixel integration, enhance resolution, achieve a lower component count and
 reduce the size of external printed circuit board, all while achieving savings
 in power consumption and display cost.
     Toshiba established its industry leadership in low-temperature polysilicon
 TFT LCDs by commercializing the world's first large sized displays, and since
 then has pioneered the development of ever-larger displays. The company today
 reconfirmed its cutting-edge position with a series of important innovations,
 including the integration of a digital-analog converter and amplifier into
 display peripheral circuits and the first application of 3-micron process
 technology to LCD manufacturing.
     Toshiba's success in integrating the DAC and amplifier into the peripheral
 circuits marks a key industry-first that cuts the number of external
 components required for displays and the size of the PCBs housing those
 displays.  The present DAC supports display of 260,000 colors, a level
 suitable for mobile information equipment.
     The company's advance to 3-micron technology, at a time when other LCDs
 still rely on the 4-micron process, brings with it numerous advantages,
 starting with lighter, slimmer products.  Circuit integration is boosted by
 approximately five times over current low temperature polysilicon LCDs, and
 the advanced level of process technology allows DAC and amplifier to be
 integrated on the glass substrate -- a move that further cuts the peripheral
 component count and increases display efficiency.  Integration of the DAC and
 amplifier analog circuits is achieved by advanced excimer laser anneal (ELA)
 technology that improves electron mobility to a level 50% higher than in
 current low temperature polysilicon LCDs, realizing a higher resolution.
 These advances in integration technology support the concept of "System on
 Glass," in which all external ICs are integrated on the glass substrate of the
 LCD, without any use of PCBs.  In reflective LCDs each dot integrates a 1-bit
 SRAM, supporting lower power consumption during display of still pictures.
     Toshiba recognizes the low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD as offering the
 most promising solution for mobile personal equipment of any commercialized
 display.  The displays are much lighter and slimmer than amorphous Si TFT
 displays, and their use of crystallized silicon results in a brighter, more
 responsive display offering higher resolution.  The company currently deploys
 the widest lineup of low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCDs on the market, for
 application in cellular phones, personal digital assistants and portable PCs,
 and will enhance display performance though application of its new
 technologies.
 
 

SOURCE  Toshiba Corporation