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Technology Glossary
137 definitions of display, touch and embedded electronics terms – from LVDS and MIPI DSI to optical bonding and IP ratings.
137 terms
A
- Active Area (AA)The active area (AA) is the part of a display that shows images and text – the visible working surface, excluding bezels, margins and dead zones.
- AD Board (Adapter Board)An AD board (adapter board) converts video signals such as HDMI, DVI or VGA into the format a display panel accepts, e.g. LVDS, eDP or RGB.
- Air GapAn air gap is the layer of air between a touch panel or cover glass and the display in air-bonded assemblies – cheaper than optical bonding but more reflective.
- Anti-Fingerprint Coating (AF)An anti-fingerprint (AF) coating is a thin layer on cover glass or touch panels that reduces visible fingerprints and makes the screen easier to clean.
- Anti-Glare Coating (AG)An anti-glare (AG) coating diffuses reflected ambient light on a display or glass surface, reducing sharp reflections and improving readability in bright light.
- Anti-Microbial Coating (AM)An anti-microbial (AM) coating contains agents such as silver or copper ions that inhibit bacteria and fungi on cover glass and touch panels.
- Anti-Newton RingAnti-Newton ring (ANR) methods prevent the rainbow-colored rings that appear when a thin layer of air is trapped between glass and a touch film.
- Anti-Reflective Coating (AR)An anti-reflective (AR) coating reduces reflections of external light by interference, keeping the image sharp – unlike anti-glare, it does not scatter light.
- Anti-Shatter Coating (AS)An anti-shatter (AS) coating or film holds cracked glass together so it does not break into sharp shards, protecting users and the device.
- Anti-UV CoatingAn anti-UV coating protects cover glass and touch panels from UV radiation, reducing yellowing, cracking and loss of transparency in outdoor use.
- APR (Acoustic Pulse Recognition)APR (Acoustic Pulse Recognition) is a touch technology that locates a touch by analyzing the acoustic waves it creates in the glass surface.
B
- BacklightA backlight is the light source behind or beside an LCD panel – usually LEDs with light guides and diffusers – because liquid crystals emit no light.
- Bad PixelA bad pixel is a pixel that does not work correctly – always on, always off or stuck on one color – caused by material flaws, production errors or damage.
- Bar Type DisplayA bar type display is an elongated LCD with an unusual aspect ratio such as 16:3 or 32:9, used where space is narrow – in transport, vending or retail.
- BezelA bezel is the frame or border around a display’s active area that protects the panel edges and provides a mounting surface in the enclosure.
- Bezel-Less DisplayA bezel-less display minimizes or eliminates the frame around the active area, maximizing the screen area for a given device size.
- BGA (Ball Grid Array)BGA (Ball Grid Array) is an IC package with solder balls in a grid on its underside, allowing dense connections for processors, graphics chips and memory.
- Bonding (Optical Bonding and Air Bonding)Bonding attaches a touch panel or cover glass to an LCD/OLED module. Optical bonding fills the gap with clear adhesive; air bonding leaves an air gap.
- BrightnessBrightness (luminance) is the amount of light a display emits per unit area, measured in cd/m² (nits); outdoor displays often exceed 1000 cd/m².
C
- Capacitive Touch Panel (CTP)A capacitive touch panel (CTP) detects touch by sensing changes in electrostatic capacitance, supporting multi-touch, gestures and excellent optical clarity.
- Chip-on-Film (COF)Chip-on-Film (COF) mounts a chip, such as a display driver, directly on a flexible polyimide film bonded to the panel edge – saving space and connectors.
- Chip-on-Glass (COG)Chip-on-Glass (COG) places the display driver chip directly on the LCD glass instead of a separate PCB, reducing module size and height.
- Color Depth (Bit Depth)Color depth (bit depth) is the number of bits per pixel a display uses, defining how many colors it shows – e.g. 262,000 at 6-bit, 16.7 million at 8-bit.
- Color GamutColor gamut is the range of colors a display can reproduce, usually given as coverage of a standard such as sRGB, Adobe RGB or NTSC.
- Commercial DisplayA commercial display is designed for public and retail spaces – signage, kiosks, POS – with thin bezels and good looks, but less rugged than industrial ones.
- Conformal CoatingConformal coating is a thin protective film applied to PCBs and components to shield them from moisture, dust, corrosion and vibration.
- Contrast RatioContrast ratio is the ratio of white to black luminance on a display – e.g. 1000:1 – showing how well it separates the brightest and darkest tones.
- Cover GlassCover glass is the protective glass layer over a display that shields it from scratches, impacts and dirt; it can be tempered, coated or printed.
- Customization (Customized Display)Display customization means tailoring a display to a project – parameters, mechanics, cover glass, printing, interfaces or touch – from prototypes to series.
D
- DFSTN (Double Film Super-Twisted Nematic)DFSTN (Double Film Super-Twisted Nematic) is an STN LCD with two compensation films that raise contrast and remove color tints in monochrome displays.
- Digital Input/Output (DIO)Digital input/output (DIO) are binary logic signals a device reads (inputs from buttons, sensors) or drives (outputs to LEDs, relays, alarms).
- Digital SignageDigital signage is a system for showing ads, information or multimedia on screens, with content managed remotely and scheduled centrally.
- Display Controller (Panel Controller / TFT Controller)A display controller (panel or TFT controller) is the IC that drives a display panel, generating the timing and control signals for the LCD or OLED matrix.
- Display Initialization (Boot Sequence)Display initialization is the power-up sequence that configures the display controller and panel – resolution, interface, timing, gamma – before an image appears.
- Double-Sided Adhesive Tape (DSA)Double-sided adhesive tape (DSA) bonds display layers, touch panels, cover glass and housings without screws or liquid glue, and can also seal against dust.
E
- EDID (Extended Display Identification Data)EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is data stored in a display’s EEPROM that tells the source its native resolution, timings and capabilities.
- eDP (Embedded DisplayPort)eDP (Embedded DisplayPort) is a VESA interface that connects a graphics controller to a built-in display using few lanes and power-saving features.
- EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility)EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) is a device’s ability to work correctly in its electromagnetic environment without emitting or suffering harmful interference.
- EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)EMI (electromagnetic interference) is unwanted electromagnetic noise that disrupts electronics – on displays it causes flicker, distortion or touch instability.
- EMI ShieldingEMI shielding protects electronics from electromagnetic interference with metal enclosures, conductive foils, meshes or coatings that block or absorb radiation.
- eMMC (Embedded MultiMedia Card)eMMC (embedded MultiMedia Card) is flash storage with a built-in controller, soldered on the PCB as the main memory of phones, HMIs and industrial computers.
- EN 50155EN 50155 is the European standard for electronic equipment on rolling stock, covering temperature, vibration, shock, EMC, humidity and power supply ranges.
- EPD (Electronic Paper Display)An EPD (electronic paper display) mimics printed paper: the image stays without power and energy is used only on updates, with excellent sunlight readability.
- EVE (Embedded Video Engine) and FT8xx ControllersEVE (Embedded Video Engine) is FTDI’s FT8xx family of graphics controllers that render GUIs, touch and audio for TFT displays driven by a simple MCU.
F
- FCC (Federal Communications Commission)The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulates electronics in the USA; FCC Part 15 certification is required for devices sold on the US market.
- FFC (Flexible Flat Cable)An FFC (flexible flat cable) is a thin ribbon cable of parallel copper conductors in flexible insulation, used to connect displays and boards in tight spaces.
- FSTN (Film Compensated Super-Twisted Nematic)FSTN (Film Compensated Super-Twisted Nematic) is a monochrome LCD technology with a compensation film for higher contrast and a clean black-on-white look.
G
- GasketA gasket is a flexible foam, rubber or silicone seal between a display and its enclosure that keeps out dust and moisture and cushions the module.
- Gesture RecognitionGesture recognition lets a touch panel – usually PCAP – interpret swipes, pinch-to-zoom, rotation and multi-finger taps, not just single touch points.
- Ghost TouchGhost touch is when a touch panel registers input nobody made – random clicks or scrolls – typically in capacitive panels, caused by EMI, moisture or poor design.
- GlareGlare is excessive reflection of light from a display surface that makes content hard to read; it is reduced with AG/AR coatings or optical bonding.
- Glass-Film-Glass (GFG)Glass-Film-Glass (GFG) is a touch panel construction with the sensing film between two sheets of glass, giving high durability – usually in resistive panels.
- Gorilla GlassGorilla Glass is Corning’s chemically strengthened alkali-aluminosilicate cover glass, known for high resistance to scratches, cracks and drops.
- Grayscale InversionGrayscale inversion is an LCD effect, typical of TN panels, where light and dark tones swap at certain viewing angles, creating a negative-like image.
H
- HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital standard that carries uncompressed video and multichannel audio over a single cable.
- HiTNI (High TNI Liquid Crystal)HiTNI (high TNI) LCDs use liquid crystals with a raised phase-transition temperature, so the screen does not black out in strong sun and heat.
- HMI (Human-Machine Interface)An HMI (human-machine interface) is a device, usually a touch panel with a display, that lets people monitor, control and configure machines and processes.
- Humidity ResistanceHumidity resistance is the ability of a display to work reliably in high humidity without corrosion or image defects – e.g. 10–90% RH, non-condensing.
- HVGA (Half Video Graphics Array)HVGA (Half VGA) is a display resolution of 320×480 pixels (480×320 in landscape), still used in small industrial and handheld screens.
I
- I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit)I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) is a two-wire serial bus (SDA, SCL) for communication between chips, used by touch controllers, sensors and displays.
- IEC 60601 (Medical Standard)IEC 60601 is the international standard for the safety, essential performance and EMC of medical electrical equipment, including medical displays.
- IEC 61000 / EN 61000IEC 61000 (EN 61000 in Europe) is the series of standards defining EMC requirements and tests, such as ESD (61000-4-2), RF (61000-4-3) and burst (61000-4-4).
- IK Rating (IEC 62262 / EN 62262)The IK rating (IEC/EN 62262) classifies an enclosure’s impact resistance from IK00 to IK10, where IK10 withstands an impact energy of 20 joules.
- In-Cell TouchIn-cell touch integrates the touch sensor directly into the LCD matrix instead of a separate layer, making displays thinner, lighter and clearer.
- Industrial DisplayAn industrial display is built for harsh conditions – wide temperatures, humidity, dust, vibration and 24/7 use – with long lifetime and high brightness.
- IP Rating (Ingress Protection, IEC 60529)An IP rating (Ingress Protection, IEC 60529) is a two-digit code for an enclosure’s protection against dust and water – e.g. IP65 is dust-tight and jet-proof.
- IPS (In-Plane Switching)IPS (In-Plane Switching) is an LCD technology whose liquid crystals rotate parallel to the glass, giving accurate colors and viewing angles up to 178°.
- IR (Infrared) Touch PanelAn IR (infrared) touch panel detects touch when a finger or object breaks a grid of invisible infrared beams above the screen – no conductive layers needed.
L
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)An LCD (liquid crystal display) forms an image with liquid crystals that modulate backlight between polarizers – the most widely used display technology.
- LCM (Liquid Crystal Module)An LCM (liquid crystal module) is a ready-to-use LCD module that combines the panel with backlight, driver ICs, controller and connectors.
- LED (Light Emitting Diode)An LED (light-emitting diode) is a semiconductor that emits light when current flows – in displays mainly the backlight source for LCD-TFT panels.
- LED Driver (Backlight Driver)An LED driver (backlight driver) powers and controls the LED backlight of an LCD, supplying stable current and dimming the brightness, usually via PWM.
- Local DimmingLocal dimming dims or brightens individual zones of an LCD’s LED backlight according to the image, improving contrast and black levels.
- LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling)LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) is a display interface that sends data over differential pairs – fast, low-power and low-EMI, common in industrial TFTs.
M
- Mass ProductionMass production (MP) is the stage when a validated display design enters full-scale, repeatable manufacturing after the sample and trial phases.
- MaxRGBMaxRGB is a display technology that extends the RGB color gamut with special LED backlight phosphors, reaching beyond 100% sRGB toward Adobe RGB or NTSC.
- MCU (Microcontroller Unit)An MCU (microcontroller unit) is a compact chip with a processor, memory and I/O that controls a specific device function – e.g. driving a small display.
- MIPI DSI (Display Serial Interface)MIPI DSI (Display Serial Interface) is a high-speed serial link between a processor and a display using 1–4 data lanes – standard in mobile and embedded devices.
- MMC (MultiMedia Card)MMC (MultiMedia Card) is a compact flash memory card format from the late 1990s, largely replaced by SD cards but still the basis of embedded eMMC.
- Mounting OptionsMounting options are the ways a display module is fixed in a product – mounting holes, brackets, VESA patterns, front or rear mounting and open-frame mounts.
- MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)MTBF (mean time between failures) is a statistical reliability measure – the average operating time between failures across many identical units, in hours.
N
- Nits (cd/m²)A nit is the unit of display luminance: 1 nit equals 1 candela per square meter (cd/m²). Typical monitors reach 200–350 nits, outdoor screens 1000+.
- NTSC (National Television System Committee)NTSC is an analog TV standard whose color space is now a reference for display gamut – e.g. “72% NTSC” describes the range of colors a display can show.
O
- OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive)OCA (optically clear adhesive) is a transparent adhesive film that laminates cover glass, touch panel and display in optical bonding, removing the air gap.
- OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)An OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display has self-emitting pixels, so it needs no backlight and offers perfect blacks, high contrast and fast response.
- On-Cell TouchOn-cell touch places the touch electrodes on the display’s own layers instead of a separate panel, giving thinner modules with better light transmission.
- Open FrameAn open frame display is a monitor without an outer enclosure, mounted in a metal chassis for integration into kiosks, ATMs, POS terminals or machines.
- Operating TemperatureOperating temperature is the ambient range in which a display works as specified – e.g. 0 to +50 °C for consumer and –20 to +70 °C for industrial models.
- Outline DimensionsOutline dimensions are the overall width, height and thickness of a display module – including bezel, frame and electronics – shown on the outline drawing.
P
- Palm RejectionPalm rejection lets a touch panel – typically PCAP – ignore accidental contact from the palm or wrist while registering intended finger or stylus input.
- PCAP / PCT (Projected Capacitive Technology)PCAP (projected capacitive, PCT) is a touch technology that senses touch via a grid of X-Y electrodes on glass, supporting precise multi-touch and gloves.
- PixelA pixel is the smallest element of a displayed image; in color displays it has red, green and blue subpixels, and the pixel count defines resolution.
- PolarizerA polarizer is an optical film in an LCD that passes light of one polarization; two polarizers with liquid crystals between them create the image.
- PoP (Package on Package)PoP (package on package) stacks two or more chips – typically a processor and memory – vertically, saving PCB space and shortening signal paths.
R
- REACH (EC 1907/2006)REACH (EC 1907/2006) is the EU regulation on chemicals; in electronics it requires declaring SVHC substances above 0.1% of an article’s weight.
- ReflectionReflection is light bouncing off a display surface instead of passing through it, which lowers contrast and readability; AR/AG coatings and bonding reduce it.
- Resistive Touch Panel (RTP)A resistive touch panel (RTP) registers touch when pressure brings two conductive layers into contact – it works with any tool or glove, but no multi-touch.
- Response TimeResponse time is how fast a pixel changes state, in milliseconds – e.g. gray-to-gray; shorter times mean less ghosting and motion blur.
- RoHS (Directive 2011/65/EU)RoHS (Directive 2011/65/EU) restricts hazardous substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium in electrical and electronic equipment sold in the EU.
- RS232 (Recommended Standard 232)RS232 is a classic serial communication standard for point-to-point data links over DB9/DB25 connectors, still used in industrial and medical devices.
- RSA (Rear Sided Adhesive Tape)RSA (rear sided adhesive tape) is a double-sided tape applied from the rear side of components to mount display modules, touch panels and cover glass.
S
- Sample PhaseThe sample phase is the first production stage, in which a short test series is built to verify the design, quality and specifications before scaling up.
- Sandwich (Stack Structure)A sandwich (stack) structure layers an LCD, touch panel, cover glass, backlight and electronics into one compact module that simplifies device assembly.
- SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Touch PanelA SAW (surface acoustic wave) touch panel detects touch when a finger absorbs ultrasonic waves travelling across the glass, offering excellent clarity.
- SBC (Single Board Computer)An SBC (single board computer) is a complete computer on one PCB – CPU, RAM, storage and I/O – used in IoT, HMIs, signage and industrial automation.
- ScalerA scaler is a circuit that converts the resolution of an incoming video signal to the display’s native resolution, often with aspect-ratio and color adjustment.
- SD (Secure Digital) CardAn SD (Secure Digital) card is a removable flash memory card, available as SDHC and SDXC, used for storage and boot media in embedded and HMI devices.
- SealA seal is a continuous barrier – gasket, tape, sealing compound or resin – that closes the gap between a screen and its enclosure against water and dust.
- Segment LCDA segment LCD shows predefined segments – digits, letters or icons – that are switched on or off; it is simple, very low-power and fully customizable.
- Shield (Development Board Add-On)A shield is an add-on board that plugs into prototyping platforms such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi to add displays, sensors or interfaces without a custom PCB.
- Spacer DotsSpacer dots are microscopic transparent spacers between touch panel layers that keep an even gap and prevent false touches and short circuits.
- SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface)SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) is a fast four-wire synchronous bus between a microcontroller and peripherals such as small OLED or TFT displays and memory.
- SSD1963 ControllerThe SSD1963 is a display controller IC with built-in memory that drives TFT LCDs up to 864×480 (WVGA) from a microcontroller over a parallel interface.
- STN (Super-Twisted Nematic)STN (super-twisted nematic) is a monochrome LCD technology with crystals twisted up to 270°, giving better contrast than TN at very low power.
- Storage TemperatureStorage temperature is the range in which an unpowered display can be safely stored or transported – usually wider than the operating range.
- Sunlight Readable DisplayA sunlight readable display stays legible in direct sun thanks to a high-brightness backlight (800+ cd/m²), anti-reflective surfaces and often optical bonding.
- System-on-Module (SOM) / Computer-on-Module (COM)A System-on-Module (SOM), also called Computer-on-Module (COM), is a compact board with CPU, memory and interfaces that plugs into a custom carrier board.
T
- TAB (Tape Automated Bonding)TAB (tape automated bonding) mounts ICs on a thin polymer tape with copper traces, used to connect display driver chips to the edge of LCD or OLED glass.
- Temperature CompensationTemperature compensation adjusts a display’s driving voltages or a touch panel’s sensitivity so they keep working correctly as ambient temperature changes.
- TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) / LCD-TFTTFT (thin-film transistor) is the active-matrix LCD technology in which each pixel has its own transistor – the standard in modern color displays (LCD-TFT).
- Timing Controller (T-CON)A timing controller (T-CON) converts video data from the mainboard into the precise timing and driver signals an LCD or OLED panel needs.
- TN (Twisted Nematic)TN (twisted nematic) is one of the oldest LCD technologies – cheap, fast and power-efficient, but with narrow viewing angles and weaker color than IPS.
- Touch ControllerA touch controller is the IC that reads signals from a touch panel, filters out noise and calculates touch coordinates for the host system.
- Touch Interface (I²C / USB / RS232)The touch interface is the link through which a touch panel or its controller sends data to the host – most commonly I²C, USB or RS232.
- Transflective LCDA transflective LCD combines transmissive and reflective modes – it uses its backlight indoors and reflects ambient light outdoors, staying readable in sun.
- Transmission ModesLCD transmission modes describe how a display uses light: transmissive (backlight only), reflective (ambient light only) or transflective (both).
- Transmissive LCDA transmissive LCD relies only on its backlight shining through the panel – bright and colorful indoors, but hard to read in direct sunlight.
- Trial PhaseThe trial phase follows the sample phase: a limited batch is built under near mass-production conditions to validate process stability and quality.
U
- USB (Universal Serial Bus)USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the standard for data and power between devices; in displays it is used for touch interfaces, DisplayLink video and power.
- UxTouchUxTouch is a flush, flat-surface touch panel design with the sensor bonded to the cover glass – easy to clean and resistant to dust and moisture.
V
- VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) sets video and display standards; for displays it usually means the VESA mounting hole pattern, e.g. 100×100 mm.
- Vibration ResistanceVibration resistance is a display’s ability to work reliably under mechanical vibration, verified to standards such as IEC 60068-2-6.
- Viewing AngleThe viewing angle is the maximum off-axis angle at which a display still shows acceptable contrast and color, usually given as e.g. 160°/160°.
- Viewing DirectionViewing direction is the angle – e.g. 6 or 12 o’clock – from which a TN LCD offers the best contrast and colors, chosen to match how the device is mounted.
- Vx1 (V-by-One HS)V-by-One HS (Vx1) is THine’s high-speed serial display interface that carries Full HD to 8K video over fewer lines than LVDS, with lower EMI.