Displays handle maritime conditions

A GDS - Global Display Solutions product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 15, 2002

The Mitra range uses the latest electronic display technology to enhance the performance of display screens on any boat deck.

The Mitra range uses the latest electronic display technology to enhance the performance of display screens on any boat deck.

In the late 1990s, display screens for the marine market were still not able to live up to the extreme demands the average boat deck placed on them - exposure to the elements, direct sunlight and temperatures in excess of 80C all create a hostile environment for effective functioning of a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

The biggest challenge for manufacturers has been to create a screen that is fully readable in all weather conditions.

GDS was determined to be the first to do this, and spent the past four years and over GBP 1 million researching and developing its Mitra range of LCDs for the marine market.

The biggest hurdle for marine LCD manufacturers is heat, and this proved to be a tough challenge for GDS' R and D team.

Normal LCDs will have a 0-50C specification range for its panel, whereas marine screens need a range of -25 to + 85C.

The team at GDS developed a new thermal management system, enabling the Mitra system to be entirely visible under any light, thus perfecting it for the marine application whatever the weather.

Additionally, the R and D team recognised the importance of optics research resulting in the LCDs using the same antireflective coating designed for the cockpits of F16 fighter planes.

This reduces reflections off the surface, which, alongside the intelligent use of backlighting gives increased readability in sunny conditions.

The GDS Mitra also incorporates an extremely light diffuser in front of the lamps, allowing plenty of light through the lamps to improve efficiency.

GDS took into account the importance of low cost to the end users, resulting in a high performance, low power, low cost and slimline range of LCD display panels.

The Mitra gives both commercial and private boat owners the benefit of knowing they will always be able to read onboard information displays no matter what the weather conditions.