Joseph L. Tchon

Direct dry film optical bonding - A low-cost, robust, and scalable display lamination technology

Abstract— A robust, repeatable, low-cost lamination process that utilizes pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) to directly bond substrates to displays, such as LC, OLED, plasma, and electrophoretic displays, has been developed. These substrates can vary in intent and serve as protective covers, reflection mitigation, heaters, filters, touch screens, environmental barriers, etc. The resultant assembly is very rugged (shock, impact, and vibration resistant), while maximizing optical performance. This paper briefly describes the traditional liquid bonding technologies and compares them to dry-film bonding. A section of the paper focuses on the enhanced optical and environmental performances of dry-film bonded displays. This paper may also serve as a brief review of optical-bonding technologies.

Evolution of LED backlighting in avionics displays

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have realized substantial advancements over the past twelve years since Rockwell Collins began designing LED backlights, resulting in performance improvement and cost reduction for avionics displays. Display and backlight packaging approaches have evolved to address the challenges associated with these LED improvements and the backlight emitter count reductions that followed. The objective of this paper is to discuss the backlight and display packaging design adaptations that helped avionics displays benefit from these LED improvements.

Characterization of a monochromatic 128x64 resolution PLED for military instrumentation applications

A characterization was performed on a monochrome, low-information content polymeric light emitting diode (PLED) display to determine the effects of ruggedization for military display applications. A summary of the environmental, mechanical, and optical characterization results show that a unique direct bonding method and night vision imaging system (NVIS) filter material can be used to ruggedize commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) PLED displays to operate in demanding military environments. Significant enhancements to a COTS PLED device are discussed in terms of impact resistance, enhanced sunlight readability, and compatibility with night vision operations.

3D display considerations for rugged airborne environments

The KC-46 is the next generation, multi-role, aerial refueling tanker aircraft being developed by Boeing for the United States Air Force. Rockwell Collins has developed the Remote Vision System (RVS) that supports aerial refueling operations under a variety of conditions. The system utilizes large-area, high-resolution 3D displays linked with remote sensors to enhance the operator’s visual acuity for precise aerial refueling control. This paper reviews the design considerations, trade-offs, and other factors related to the selection and ruggedization of the 3D display technology for this military application.

Review of the evolution of display technologies for next-generation aircraft

Advancements in electronic display technologies have provided many benefits for military avionics. The modernization of legacy tanker transport aircraft along with the development of next-generation platforms, such as the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker, offers a timeline of the evolution of avionics display approaches. The adaptation of advanced flight displays from the Boeing 787 for the KC-46 flight deck also provides examples of how avionics display solutions may be leveraged across commercial and military flight decks to realize greater situational awareness and improve overall mission effectiveness. This paper provides a review of the display technology advancements that have led to today’s advanced avionics displays for the next-generation KC-46 tanker aircraft. In particular, progress in display operating modes, backlighting, packaging, and ruggedization will be discussed along with display certification considerations across military and civilian platforms.

Current state of OLED technology relative to military avionics requirements

The paper will review optical and environmental performance thresholds required for OLED technology to be used on various military platforms. Life study results will be summarized to highlight trends while identifying remaining performance gaps to make this technology viable for future military avionics platforms.

High definition wide format COTS displays for next-generation vetronic applications

The paper describes how military display users can benefit from emerging commercial market trends toward wideformat and high-resolution displays. This emerging display format offers several human factors benefits and more information along with high-definition sensor compatibility. The current commercial market trend highlights the growth of wide formats, which may affect the future availability of standard format COTS displays. The vetronics display that is being developed for the FCS family of combat vehicles is an example of a COTS wide-format, high-resolution display that is ruggedized for the next generation of soldiers.

Flat panel stereoscopic display: description and applications

The flow of information among our armed forces is greater than ever and the workload on the warfighter is increasing. A novel, stereo-based 3D display has been developed to aid the warfighter by displaying information in a more intuitive fashion by exploiting depth perception. The flat panel display has a footprint consistent with current and future vehicles, unmanned systems, and aircraft and is capable of displaying analog 3D video and OpenGL 3D imagery. A description of the display will be given along with discussion of the applications evaluated to date.