September

 
 

E Ink Segmented Displays

Evaluation Guide Version 2.0
           

w w w . e i n k . c o m  
E Ink® Evaluation Guide

Table of Contents
1.0 E Ink Background ............................................................................... 3
1.1 How Does E Ink Work ........................................................................................................ 3
1.2 E Ink Segmented Display Construction .............................................................................. 3

2.0 Benefits of E Ink Segmented Displays .............................................. 4

2.1 Design Examples ............................................................................................................... 5

3.0 The Electronics Ecosystem for Segmented Displays ..................... 6

3.1 5 Volt Segmented Display Cell .......................................................................................... 6
3.2 15 Volt Segmented Display Cell ........................................................................................ 7
3.3 Segmented Display Module ............................................................................................... 7
3.4 Recommended Driving Specifications ............................................................................... 8
3.5 15 Volt Display Drivers ...................................................................................................... 8
3.6 5 Volt MCUs ...................................................................................................................... 9

4.0 Connecting E Ink Displays ................................................................. 9

4.1 Standard FPC Connections ............................................................................................... 9
4.2 ACF Tape Connections ................................................................................................... 10
5.0 E Ink Standard Parts - Numeric ....................................................... 11
5.1 E Ink Standard Parts - Indicators .................................................... 12

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E Ink® Evaluation Guide

1.0 E Ink Background

E Ink Corporation is the creator of electronic ink — the optical component of a proprietary film
used in Electronic Paper Displays. Although futuristic in concept, electronic ink is a
straightforward fusion of existing knowledge in chemistry, physics and electronics. E Ink
displays offer high contrast, superior paper-like readability and low power consumption,
drawing power only when switching the display.

1.1 How Does E Ink Work?

Electronic ink is made up of millions of tiny microcapsules, about the diameter of a human hair.
Each microcapsule contains positively charged white particles and negatively charged black
particles which are suspended in a clear fluid. When a positive or negative electric field is
applied, corresponding particles move to the top of the microcapsule where they become visible
to the user. This makes the surface appear white or black at that spot.

1.2 Segmented Display Construction

E Ink Segmented displays are comprised of four layers. The ink is coated onto a sheet of plastic
film that is then laminated to a back plane with electrical connections. The back plane is
manufactured using either printed carbon (PET) or Polyimide. When manufacturing a
Segmented display, the film and back plane are then sealed between top and rear environmental
protective layers, ensuring the internal conditions of the display are maintained and optimized
for switching the ink.

The figure below shows a cross-section view of an E Ink Segmented display including from top
to bottom: Top protective layer, E Ink film, back plane connection, and rear protective layer.

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E Ink® Evaluation Guide

Each segment on an E Ink display has an individual electrode on the back plane. Each electrode
is routed on the back plane, forming a display connector or tail off the edge of the display. For a
Segmented Display Cell (SDC), the tail includes one trace for each segment plus two additional
traces for top plane and back plane connection. For example, if your display uses 96 segments,
the tail would include 98 traces or pin outs.

2.0 Benefits of E Ink Segmented Displays

E Ink Segmented displays are ultra-low power, thin, and rugged. E Ink's unique reflective
display technology is sunlight readable and can display an image with no power. This enables
engineers and designers to add displays to products where power and space limitations
have made it impossible to do so before. Applications for the technology are broad, including
a wide variety of consumer electronics, watches, medical devices, industrial gauges, PC-
accessories, smart cards, electronic shelf labels, and mobile communications.

The disruptive benefits of E Ink Segmented displays include:

§ Ultra Low Power –E Ink displays are bi-stable, drawing power only when updating the
display. Consuming approximately 0.5 micro amps per cm2 while switching the display,
E Ink displays require zero power to display a static image.

§ Thinness – E Ink Segmented display thickness can be between 380 and 560 microns

§ Rugged – E Ink Segmented displays are non-glass and shatterproof for added durability.

§ High contrast – E Ink Segmented displays are daylight readable with a 180 degree
viewing angle.

§ Design – E Ink Segmented displays can be manufactured in any 2D shape such a circle,
triangle, or abstract shape, enhancing industrial designs. In addition, E Ink’s unique
capabilities allow for the foreground and background to be reversed from black on white
or white on black.

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E Ink® Evaluation Guide

2.1 Design Examples

E Ink Displays can be manufactured in any 2D Shape:

Examples of reversed foreground and background:

Example of an E Ink Segmented display (left) compared to a traditional segmented LCD:

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E Ink® Evaluation Guide

3.0 Segmented Display Options and the Electronics Ecosystem

E Ink offers two types of Segmented displays: Segmented Display Cells (SDCs), and
Segmented Display Modules (SDMs).

SDCs are independent display cells that do not include any embedded electronics; they can be
driven at either 5V or 15V. Typically, SDCs are used in simpler designs with lower segment
counts and fewer pin outs. Designs that have adequate space and less restrictive PCB
integration needs are ideal for SDC applications.

SDMs include an integrated E Ink display driver for a complete display solution, typically for
designs that have demanding integration requirements. SDMs simplify the integration effort by
reducing the number of pin outs required between the MCU and display. As a result, less space
is needed for connection to the PCB.

3.1 5V Segmented Display Cell (SDC)

E Ink Segmented Display Cells (SDCs) can be driven as low as 5V, depending upon the nature
of the application. At 5V, contrast/reflectance will be 60-80% of the performance at 15V, and
will refresh at 720 milliseconds.

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E Ink® Evaluation Guide

3.2 15V Segmented Display Cell (SDC)

E Ink Segmented Display Cells (SDCs) driven at 15V ensure optimal contrast/reflectance and
the fastest refresh rate (240 milliseconds).

3.3 Segmented Display Module (SDM)

E Ink Segmented Display Modules (SDMs) include an integrated E Ink driver which operates at
15V to ensure optimal contrast/reflectance and fastest refresh rate.

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3.4 Recommended Driving Specifications

The table below outlines the comparative performance of the key specifications of E Ink
Segmented displays. See the table below for recommended drive times based on voltage.

Feature 5V 15V
Contrast/Reflectance 60 – 80% 100%
Refresh Rate 720ms – 1200ms 240ms
Display Driver Required No Yes
Temperature 25C 25C

3.5 15 Volt Display Drivers

Dialog Semiconductor – Contact Anne Joubert

anne.joubert@dialogsemi.com
Part Segments Packages Interface
DA8541 96 Bare die (100mm pitch) SPI or I2C
DA8527 24 36-pin 4x4mm LGA SPI
DA8521 64 80-pin 5x5mm LGA SPI
DA8523 192 208-pin 7x12mm LGA SPI
DA8531 64 80-pin 5x5mm BGA SPI

Solomon Systech – Contact Raymond Cheung

raymondcheung@solomon-systech.com
Part Segments Packages Interface
SSD1621 94 V Bare Die / Z gold bump Die / U COF SPI
SSD1623 97 V Bare Die / Z gold bump Die / UR1 COF SPI

Epson

Part Segments Packages Interface

S1D14F51 24 PFBGA / Gold bump chip / Bare chip SPI or I2C
S1D14F57 256 Gold bump chip / Bare chip SPI or I2C

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E Ink® Evaluation Guide

TTC

Part Segments Packages Interface

TT30036D 40 Bare Die / BGA / COF I2C
TT31090 94 Bare Die / COF I2C
TT30120 122 Bare Die / COF I2C/SPI
TT30160 160 Bare Die / COF I2C/SPI
TT30256 256 Bare Die / COF I2C/SPI

3.6 5 Volt MCUs

E Ink Segmented displays work with a variety of MCUs from different vendors. Any 5V supply
with sufficient I/Os will be compatible.

MCU Vendor URL Contact Information

Renesas RL78 MCUs Contact Renesas Support

Freescale 9S08 MCUs Contact Freescale Support

Microchip PIC24 MCUs Contact Microchip Support

4.0 Connecting Segmented Displays to your PCB

E Ink Segmented displays can be connected to your PCB by a number of different methods,
supporting a wide array of applications. The key determinant of the method of connection is the
number of segments in your display, which determines the pin out count. Displays with fewer
than 60 segments can use traditional FPC connectors.

When segment counts exceed that range, E Ink recommends the use of ACF tape and heat seal
bonding. ACF bonding is common scenario for exceptionally small displays, and or
applications in which thinness is a requirement for a successful design.

4.1 Standard FPC Connections

E Ink Segmented displays can work with any Flat Printed Circuit (FPC) connectors. The
advantages of using an FPC connector include ease of assembly, ease of rework, and no need
for specialized equipment in mass production. E Ink Segmented displays work with a variety of
standard, commercially available connectors.

For more information about FPC connectors, see the table below, or refer to Section 5.0 for
standard parts connectors:

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Vendor URL Contact Info

Hirose www.hirose.com Contact Hirose Support
Molex www.molex.com Contact Molex Support
Kyocera www.kyocera.com Contact Kyocera

4.2 ACF Tape Connections

ACF Tape is the recommended connection method for E Ink Segmented displays which have a
larger number of pin outs. The ACF bonding process involves the application of anisotropic
tape to a substrate, with the bond being completed by a combination of heat, pressure and time.
Anisotropic film is comprised of an epoxy/acrylate adhesive matrix loaded with conductive
particles. The particles allow interconnection of circuit lines after bonding. ACF tape can be
used to bond one FPC to another FPC or to a PCB. Final bonding must be done with a typical
bond line temperature of 135 - 150°C.

For more information on ACF Technology:

3M Anisotropic Tape

Using ACF Tapes

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E Ink® Evaluation Guide

5.0 E Ink Segmented Display Cell Standard Parts - Numeric Displays

The following table outlines part numbers, connector options and other information for E Ink
Standard Segmented Display Cells (SDCs).

Part Number Drawing Active Area H x W / Connectors

Segments

2.5 Digit 37.94 mm X 25.5 mm Tyco 517345920

Numeric Round
E Ink SC009221
39 Segments

3 Digit Numeric
E Ink SC004221 24.25 mm X 26.07 mm Tyco 517345920

44 Segments

6 Digit Numeric
E Ink SC005221 21.57 mm X 30.57 mm Tyco 517345920

49 Segments

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E Ink® Evaluation Guide

5.1 E Ink Segmented Display Cell Standard Parts - Indicators

The following table outlines part numbers, connector options and other information for E Ink
Standard Segmented Display Cells (SDCs).

Part Number Drawing Active Area H x W / Connectors

Segments

14 Bar Capacity 37.5 mm X 8.5 mm Tyco 517345926

Indicator
E Ink SC002221
14 Segments

5 Bar Capacity 26.3 mm X 8.5 mm Tyco 517345926

Indicator
E Ink SS001221
5 Segments

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