Sony Releases 0.5-inch OLED Microdisplay, Supports UXGA Resolution

- Sony Corp. is about to release a 0.5-inch ECX339A OLED microdisplay that can support UXGA resolution (1600 x 1200), which is the highest in the 0.5-inch class. Thanks to Sony's OLED display technology and miniaturization technology, the pixel pitch reaches 6.3 Μm, the smallest in the industry, is higher than the previous generation*1. The monitor uses a new driver circuit design, operating voltage is only half of the previous generation*1, low power consumption level is the same as the previous generation, but the resolution is higher. When adapting Sony's unique drive system*2, the single frame rate is up to 240 fps, which is twice that of the previous generation*1.

0.5 inch OLED microdisplay ECX339A

Model Name Sample Time Shipment Time (Expected) Suggested Retail Price

(after tax)

0.5 inch OLED microdisplay ECX339A2018 January 2018 50,000 yen

Improvements in the resolution of microdisplays are not easy, because problems such as reduced pixel pitch and poor viewing angles can result in deterioration of image quality. The new product released this time optimizes the layout and operation flow of transistors to avoid the performance caused by too small transistors. Problems such as uneven voltage and low withstand voltage. Sony's unique change compensation circuit also improves image quality. Sony directly implanted color filters on the silicon base of the display to reduce the distance from the light emitting layer, and at the same time to the color filter. The color array is modified so that it can both protect the viewing angle and achieve high resolution.

OLED microdisplays are widely used in digital camera electronic viewfinders (EVFs) because of their high contrast, high chroma, and high-speed response capabilities. The new products released this time have high resolution and high frame rate, enabling even more Realistic image display and more accurate capture are expected to be applied to high-end cameras that require high image quality.

In the future, Sony hopes that high-definition OLED microdisplays can be applied in more fields, such as AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) head-mounted displays.

Quality Comparison of OLED Microdisplays New Products (UXGA) (Left) and Predecessor Products (QVGA) (Right)

main feature

1. 0.5-inch high resolution UXGA display

Thanks to Sony's patented OLED display and miniaturization technology, the pixel pitch is only 6.3μm, which is the smallest in the industry. The resolution is 1.6 times higher than that of the previous generation*1. In general, an excessively small transistor leads to uneven characteristics and reduced withstand voltage. Other issues, and the new product uses Sony's original change compensation circuit to optimize the layout and operation flow of each transistor to avoid the above problems. In addition, the color filter is directly implanted on the silicon base to shorten the distance from the light emitting layer, and The color array of the color filter has been improved to both protect the viewing angle and achieve high resolution.

The viewing angle can be guaranteed even when the pixel pitch is small.

New Product (UXGA, left) and previous generation (QVGA, right)

2. High frame rate

The new driver circuit design supports a high frame rate of 240 fps*2, almost twice that of the previous generation*1. When applied to a viewfinder, it can capture fast-moving objects more accurately, allowing users to not miss any shooting opportunities , to provide a better shooting experience. When applied to a head-mounted display, it can effectively improve the AR (Augmented Reality) visual image delay problem of objects superimposed in the real world, and avoid the dizziness caused by using such devices.

3. Low power consumption

The new product uses newly designed peripheral circuits, and its operating voltage is only half that of the predecessor products. Therefore, at the same frame rate, despite the fact that the pixels increase nearly 1.6 times compared with the previous generation, they can still maintain the same level of low power consumption. .

*1 Compared with Sony OLED microdisplay ECX337A (0.5 inch QVGA (1280 x 960))

*2 Dual Vertical Line Synchronous Drive (Double Line Progressive Scan Drive Technology)

Main specifications

Model ECX339A

Display size 0.5 inches (12.6 mm screen diagonal length)

Resolution UXGA(1600×RGB×1200)

Pixel pitch 6.3μm

Maximum frame rate 120 fps (progressive) / 240 fps (two-line progressive)

Power Consumption (200cd/m2) 310 mW @ 60 fps (progressive)/120 fps (two-line progressive scan)

Video Interface LVDS/Sub-LVDS

The maximum brightness of 1,000cd/m2

Contrast 100,000: 1 or higher

Color saturation sRGB rate: 110%

(This article is translated from English text)