What’s under the skin of Smart Surface Technology?

By Stefano Rosato | 21 November 2024

Are you familiar with Smart Surface Technology? If not, you should be. It’s nothing short of a breakthrough in displays and combines sleek design with the superb functionality that is the hallmark of Avnet Displays.

But how best to describe it? Well, probably the most familiar and stylish application of smart surfaces today are in cars – where the dashboard display blends in perfectly with the interior of the car, showing you controls or information only when you need it. The rest of the time? Well, you’d never know it was a display at all.

Of course, a display needs to be more than slick and aesthetically pleasing – it needs to work like a dream too. In our world of industrial, medical and automotive applications, we’re also looking for high levels of durability and visibility. And guess what? Smart surfaces can offer that too.

Of course, we know that our customers like us to delve into the detail (and, honestly, we enjoy doing it), so let’s do just that. These specialized displays comprise several layers and processes:

  • ASF (Anti-Static Film) for reducing static buildup. This is crucial in environments where static discharge could affect the performance of sensitive electronic components.
  • Special Printing Layer to make the display look… *chef’s kiss*. This is where the display is customized according to the use. In a car’s dashboard, for example, it might simulate a walnut finish.
  • OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive) is the critical component that binds the display layers together. It does this with zero compromise on transparency, so the display is crystal clear.
  • Cover Glass is the topmost layer which protects the display from scratching, impact, and other environmental factors. This too can be customized with various printing options.
  • TFT Panel is the heart of the display, providing the visuals. When you choose our Smart Surface Technology, you’re guaranteed a TFT panel of the highest quality, with excellent brightness and color reproduction.
  • Backlight illuminates the display. It’s optimized for consistent brightness across the entire screen.

Why choose Smart Surface Technology?

If it feels like an unnecessary aesthetic choice for most applications, think again. Smart surfaces offer far more than just good looks, they’re incredibly robust too and make an excellent display across a range of conditions – high/low brightness, extreme temperatures and humidity. They can even withstand physical impact.

Each display is a single, efficient structure that requires no additional layers when you want to add features and it’s highly compatible with everything from consumer electronics to industrial machinery. We’ve lightly mentioned automotive displays and infotainment, but it’s equally appropriate for medical diagnostic equipment, manufacturing applications and outdoor digital signage.

But the jewel in the smart surface crown must be its energy consumption – or lack thereof. This technology requires the very minimum of power, which means operating costs are lower and it can even be used with battery operated devices.

And when you combine all this with the high-quality components, advanced materials, meticulous design and excellent build quality offered by Avnet Displays, Smart Surface Technology becomes a really compelling solution. Who knew something that looked so good could be so practical, powerful and versatile?

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About Author

Stefano Rosato - Director, Technical Touch Technology at Avnet

Stefano Rosato is director of technical touch technology in the Display Solutions team at Avnet. Stefano helps customers solve touch challenges and supports customers through the whole design-in phase for touchscreen integration. With deep knowledge about PCAP technology, along with its design-in rules, tuning and pattern designs, Stefano is a leading expert in the touchscreen industry.Read More

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