JTEC panel on display technologies in Japan

This report is one in a series of reports that describes research and development efforts in Japan in the area of display technologies. The following are included in this report: flat panel displays (technical findings, liquid crystal display development and production, large flat panel displays (FPD's), electroluminescent displays and plasma panels, infrastructure in Japan's FPD industry, market and projected sales, and new a-Si active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) factory); materials for flat panel displays (liquid crystal materials, and light-emissive display materials); manufacturing and infrastructure of active matrix liquid crystal displays (manufacturing logistics and equipment); passive matrix liquid crystal displays (LCD basics, twisted nematics LCD's, supertwisted nematic LCD's, ferroelectric LCD's, and a comparison of passive matrix LCD technology); active matrix technology (basic active matrix technology, investment environment, amorphous silicon, polysilicon, and commercial products and prototypes); and projection displays (comparison of Japanese and U.S. display research, and technical evaluation of work)

Portable Computer Technology (PCT) Research and Development Program Phase 2

The subject of this project report, focused on: (1) Design and development of two Advanced Portable Workstation 2 (APW 2) units. These units incorporate advanced technology features such as a low power Pentium processor, a high resolution color display, National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) video handling capabilities, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface, and Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) and ethernet interfaces. (2) Use these units to integrate and demonstrate advanced wireless network and portable video capabilities. (3) Qualification of the APW 2 systems for use in specific experiments aboard the Mir Space Station. A major objective of the PCT Phase 2 program was to help guide future choices in computing platforms and techniques for meeting National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) mission objectives. The focus being on the development of optimal configurations of computing hardware, software applications, and network technologies for use on NASA missions

Design of LCOS microdisplay backplanes for projection applications

De evolutie van licht emitterende diodes (LED) heeft ervoor gezorgd dat het op dit moment interessant wordt om deze componenten als lichtbron te gebruiken in projectiesystemen. LED’s hebben belangrijke voordelen vergeleken met klassieke booglampen. Ze zijn compact, ze hebben een veel grotere levensduur en ogenblikkelijke schakeltijden, ze werken op lage spanningen, etc. LED’s zijn smalbandig en kunnen een groterekleurenbereik realiseren. Ze hebben momenteel echter een beperkte helderheid. Naast de lichtbron is het type van de lichtklep ook bepalend voor de kwaliteit van een projectiesysteem. Er bestaan verschillende lichtkleptechnologieën waaronder die van de reflectieve LCOS-panelen. Deze lichtkleppen kunnen zeer hoge resoluties hebben en wordenvaak gebruikt in kwalitatieve, professionele projectiesystemen. LED’s zijn echter totaal verschillend van booglampen. Ze hebben een andere vorm, package, stralingspatroon, aansturing, fysische en thermische eigenschappen, etc. Hoewel er een twintigtal optische architecturen bekend zijn voor reflectieve beeldschermen (met een booglamp als lichtbron), zijn ze niet geschikt voor LED-projectoren en moeten nieuwe optische architecturen en een elektronische aansturing ontwikkeld worden. In dit doctoraat werd er hieromtrent onderzoek gedaan. Er werd uiteindelijk een driekleurenprojector (R, G, B) met een efficiënt LED-belichtingssysteem gebouwd met twee LCOS-lichtkleppen. Deze LEDprojector heeft superieure eigenschappen (zeer lange levensduur, beeldkwaliteit, etc.) en een matige lichtopbrengst

Development of an acoustic measurement system of the Modulus of Elasticity in trees, logs and boards

The objective of this Bachelor’s Thesis is to develop a portable electronic device capable of quantifying the stiffness of the wood of standing trees, logs and boards using non-destructive testing (NDT) by means of acoustic wave analysis. As an indicator of stiffness, the Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) is used, a standard figure in the industry. This way, wood from forestry can be characterized and classified for different purposes. This Thesis is part of LIFE Wood For Future, a project of the University of Granada (UGR) financed by the European Union’s LIFE programme. LIFE Wood For Future aims to recover the cultivation of poplar (populus sp.) in the Vega de Granada, by proving the quality of its wood through innovative structural bioproducts. Recovering the poplar groves of Granada would have great benefits for the Metropolitan Area: creation of local and sustainable jobs, improvement of biodiversity, and increase in the absorption of carbon dioxide in the long term, helping to reduce the endemic air pollution of Granada. This Final Degree Project has been developed in collaboration with the ADIME research group of the Higher Technical School of Building Engineering (ETSIE) and the aerospace electronics group GranaSat of the UGR. The goal of the developed device, named Tree Inspection Kit (or TIK), is to be an innovative, portable and easy-to-use tool for non-destructive diagnosis and classification of wood by measuring its MOE. TIK is equipped with the necessary electronics to quantify the Time of Flight (ToF) of an acoustic wave that propagates inside a piece of wood. In order to do this, two piezoelectric probes are used, nailed in the wood and separated a given distance longitudinally. The MOE can be derived from the propagation speed of the longitudinal acoustic wave if the density of the is known. For this reason, this device has the possibility of connecting a load cell for weighing logs or boards to estimate their density. It also has an expansion port reserved for future functionality. A methodology based on the Engineering Design Process (EDP) has been followed. The scope of this project embraces all aspects of the development of an electronic product from start to finish: conceptualization, specification of requirements, design, manufacture and verification. A project of this reach requires planning, advanced knowledge of signal analysis, electronics, design and manufacture of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) and product design, as well as the development of a firmware for the embedded system, based on a RTOS. Prior to the design of the electronics, a Reverse Engineering process of some similar products of the competition is performed; as well as an exhaustive analysis of the signals coming from the piezoelectric sensors that are going to be used, and the frequency response characterization of the piezoelectric probes themselves. This project has as its ultimate goal the demonstration of the multidisciplinary knowledge of engineering, and the capacity of analysis, design and manufacturing by the author; his skill and professionalism in CAD and EDA software required for these tasks, as well as in the documentation of the entire process.El presente Trabajo de Fin de Grado tiene como objetivo el desarrollo de un dispositivo electrónico portátil capaz de cuantificar la rigidez de la madera de árboles en pie, trozas y tablas usando ensayos no destructivos (Non-Destructive Testing, NDT) por medio del análisis de ondas acústicas. Como indicador de la rigidez se usa el Módulo de Elasticidad (MOE), una figura estándar en la industria. Este TFG forma parte de LIFE Wood For Future, un proyecto de la Universidad de Granada (UGR) financiado por el programa LIFE de la Unión Europea. LIFEWood For Future tiene como objetivo recuperar el cultivo del chopo (populus sp.) en la Vega de Granada demostrando la viabilidad de su madera a través de bioproductos estructurales innovadores. Recuperar las choperas de Granada tendría grandes beneficios para la zona del Área Metropolitana: creación de puestos de trabajo locales y sostenibles, mejora de la biodiversidad, e incremento de la tasa de absorción de dióxido de carbono a largo plazo, contribuyendo a reducir la contaminación endémica del aire en Granada. Este Trabajo de Fin de Grado se ha desarrollado con la colaboración del grupo de investigación ADIME de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Edificación (ETSIE) y el grupo de electrónica aeroespacial GranaSat de la UGR. El objetivo del dispositivo, denominado Tree Inspection Kit (TIK), es ser una herramienta innovadora, portátil y fácil de usar para el diagnóstico y clasificación no destructiva de la madera por medio de su MOE. TIK está dotado de la electrónica necesaria para medir el tiempo de tránsito (ToF) de una onda acústica que se propaga en el interior de una pieza de madera. Para ello, se utilizan dos sondas piezoeléctricas clavadas en la madera y separadas longitudinalmente una distancia conocida. De la velocidad de propagación de la onda longitudinal se puede derivar el MOE, previo conocimiento de la densidad del material. Por ello, este dispositivo cuenta con la posibilidad de conectarle una célula de carga y pesar trozas o tablas para estimar su densidad. También tiene un puerto de expansión reservado para funcionalidad futura. Se ha seguido una metodología basada en el Proceso de Diseño de Ingeniería (Engineering Design Process, EDP), abarcando todos los aspectos del desarrollo de un producto electrónico de principio a fin: conceptualización, especificación de requisitos, diseño, fabricación y verificación. Un proyecto de este alcance requiere de planificación, conocimientos avanzados de análisis de señales, de electrónica, de diseño y fabricación de Placas de Circuito Impreso (PCB) y de diseño de producto, así como el desarrollo de un firmware para el sistema empotrado, basado en un RTOS. Previo al diseño de la electrónica, se realiza un proceso de Ingeniería Inversa (Reverse Engineering) de algunos productos similares de la competencia; al igual que un exhaustivo análisis de las señales provenientes de los sensores piezoeléctricos que van a utilizarse y la caracterización en frecuencia de las propias sondas piezoeléctricas. Este proyecto tiene como fin último la demostración de los conocimientos multidisciplinares propios de la ingeniería y la capacidad de análisis, diseño y fabricación por parte del autor; su habilidad y profesionalidad en el software CAD y EDA requerido para estas tareas, así como en la documentación de todo el proceso.Unión Europe

A Study on Copper-Gate Integration with Titanium Interface Layers for IGZO TFTs

The continuous demand for ultra-high resolution and improved video performance on increasingly larger active-matrix displays has advanced the research field of thin film transistors (TFTs) materials, processes and devices. Performance improvements demonstrated by amorphous Indium-Gallium-Zinc-Oxide (IGZO) TSTs has enabled a commercialized backplane technology adopted for AM-OLED displays, providing advantage in device performance and uniformity at a much lower cost than Low Temperature Poly-crystalline Silicon (LTPS). However as the display size gets larger and the pixel density increases, charge transfer from the column driver to the pixel through the addressed row TFT within the required time interval becomes increasingly difficult. As the pixel size shrinks and the panel size grows, interconnects that must be scaled down in cross-section have to transport charge over longer distances.In addition, as the numbers of rows increase in a display, the time allowed for charge transfer decreases to maintain a high image refresh frequency. These challenges must be addressed by lower interconnect delay, thus the advantages in transitioning to Cu for long interconnect rows and columns. The gate electrodes are usually implemented as an appendage of the row interconnect, thus Cu-gate TFTS would avoid added process complexity while supporting high-speed interconnects and low production costs. The following work presents a study on Cu-gate integration and potential channel contamination on bottom-gate IGZO TSTs with a newly established baseline process. Cu was used in place to Mo as the gate electrode, with an underlying Ti layer to promote adhesion to the oxidized silicon substrate. The experimental design input factors included the option of a Ti capping layer on the Cu-gate, and the anneal conditions of the gate dielectric (PECVD SiO2) prior to IGZO sputtering. Distinct differences in physical and electrical responses over all treatment combinations were identified. Experimental results demonstrated that while the Ti capping layer promoted adhesion to the gate dielectric, it served as a source of contamination on pre-annealed treatments causing pronounced electrical characteristic shifting and dielectric failure. The anneal process was found to promote adhesion between the Cu-gate and the gate oxide without the use of Ti capping layer, as well as reduce oxide charge levels. Copper contamination did not appear to be an issue in treatment conditions at or below 400C, however pitting of the gate electrode occurred at anneal temperature above 400C, as well as electrical results that suggest evidence of Cu contamination. Visual observations and electrical characteristics are presented wit ha detailed discussion on comparisons between treatment combinations, with reference to the baseline IGZO devices

Design of a low-cost RPAS ground control station

In this project, a Ground Control Station (GCS) for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) has been designed, developed and built from scratch. The GCS is part of a larger System called Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) formed by the RPAS in the air segment, the communications link and the Ground Control Station. First of all, a brief study has been done in order to know the different types of GCS that currently exist. There are lots of GCS types, depending on the scope of the RPAS that has to be controlled, the project budget or the mission requirements. Given these characteristics, the scope of the GCS will be defined. Once stablished the scope of the GCS, its different components will be determined. From the microprocessor to the Liquid Cristal Display (LCD) controller, the components will be listed and described, as well as its characteristics and advantages against other options. Also, the process followed to design some of the parts such as the power system will be explained. Apart from the hardware the Ground Control Station also needs software to operate. The different software and operating systems installed and used will be described onwards, as well as installation methods. Once the different parts are defined, Solid Works® 3D design program will be used for stablishing the physical design of the GCS. Considering the available space given by the scope of the project and the amount of elements to be fitted and connected, a realistic design will be made. This design will be used later on to build the actual GCS. The building process will be briefly shown and the GCS will be tested. Finally, a conclusion will be made in order to stablish the viability of the project, taking into account the already existing platforms currently used as well as the power consumption and battery endurance, weight, price and technical performances

Silicon Nitride Deposition, Chromium Corrosion Mechanisms and Source/Drain Parasitic Resistance in Amorphous Silicon Thin Film transistors

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) based thin film transistors (TFTs) are finding increased application as switching elements in active-matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). Extensive research has been focussed on optimizing fabrication conditions to improve materials quality and on reducing channel length to increase device speed. However, the basic physics and chemistry have not yet been fully understood. In addition, little attention has been paid to the significant effect of source/drain parasitics. The work described in this thesis is closely related to the speed and stability issues on the discrete device level. Specifically, the influence of gate nitride deposition and its NH3 plasma treatment has been studied. The competing effects of nitridation reaction and radiation damage were found to cause an interesting trade-off between the device stability and speed. Further effort was devoted to the analysis of an important TFT failure phenomenon. Both electrical and spectroscopic techniques were utilized for gate Cr corrosion studies. It was determined that the corrosion was largely promoted by the CF4 plasma exposure of Cr during the fabrication. Finally, new test structures were designed, fabricated and characterized to study the source/drain parasitic resistance

PROTOTIPE E-VOTING MENGGUNAKAN KARTU RFID DAN VERIFIKASI FINGERPRINT BERBASIS MIKROKONTROLLER ARDUINO MEGA 2560

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merancang dan membuat sebuah prototipe pemilihan Presiden dan Wakil Presiden Republik Indonesia sebanyak lima kandidat secara elektronik dengan memanfaatkan kartu RFID sebagai e-KTP dan meggunakan verifikasi biometrik sidik jari. Prototipe ini akan mengatasi beberapa permasalahan pada pemilu konvensional seperti pemilih ganda, kesalahan cetak surat suara, dan rekapitulasi suara dengan proses panjang. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode penelitian dan pengembangan (Research and Development) yang meliputi perencanaan, analisis kebutuhan perancangan, pengujian, dan implementasi perangkat keras (hardware) dan perangkat lunak (software). Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Prototipe e-Voting Menggunakan Kartu RFID dan Verifikasi Fingerprint Berbasis Mikrokontroller Arduino Mega 2560 menggunakan jaringan internet melalui koneksi wifi sebagai komunikasi dengan web server e-vote yang telah dirancang berhasil dibuat. Pemilih hanya dapat melakukan pemilihan satu kali, kartu e-KTP membatasi hanya pemilih yang berhak yang dapat menggunakan hak suaranya, hasil pemilihan dapat dikirim dan diterima oleh web server serta disimpan di database e-vote dalam ±2 detik

Design and implementation of a standalone CNC controller

This bachelor thesis has been developed by Daan Ver Eecke and Elias Verstappe. We are two students at the ‘Hogeschool Vives’ in Bruges (Belgium) and both participate in the Erasmus program. The thesis has been worked out at the University of Valladolid in Spain. The general purpose of a bachelor’s thesis is to solve a specific problem (in our case with regard to the field of study electronics). This thesis describes how we control an old machine with the help of modern electronics. In a world where technological development is happening faster than ever, it is important that the possibility remains to control old devices. Due to the enormous growth, older machines are no longer supported by new operating systems. Two lecturers from the University of Valladolid, Dr. Jesús M. Hernández Mangas and Dr. Jesús Arias Álvarez, have confronted us with the following challenge: an old CNC machine is currently controlled with the help of an old computer. The program that controls the machine runs on the MS-DOS operating system. Our assignment is to design a custom controller that takes over the task of the old computer. An additional requirement is to also be able to control the (CNC) machine via a website. A fully custom printed circuit board is designed to solve this problem. The firmware that is responsible for all control is also developed by us. Briefly summarized, the requirements are the following: With the help of an SD card, a certain PCB design can be read in the machine. The machine can be controlled in two ways: on the one hand everything can be operated using the touchscreen, and on the other hand the machine must be able to be fully controlled via a website. Now that the project is finished, we can conclude that thanks to the enormous development of technology in recent years, nowadays you can easily and cheaply design a control unit for old devices. We can simulate the operation of a computer that is 25 years old with a small and simple printed circuit board that costs 45 euros (development costs not included). This result shows that you could create a ‘man in the middle’ with new hardware for many old machines. This way of working can certainly be applied to other machines. You could even apply this way of working for development of new machines. We were instructed to control a machine with a certain interface. In principle you can compare it with the development of a controller for a machine. In that case, it does not really matter what or how old the machine is.Grado en Ingeniería de Tecnologías Específicas de Telecomunicació