Importance of Display Contrast Measurement in Cockpit Instrumentation
Cockpit instrumentation in the aerospace industry has evolved significantly over the past decades. Modern control panels now feature an array of flat panel screens, replacing the traditional backlit gauges, switches, and knobs. Consistent light and color emission from these panels are crucial to reduce eyestrain, ease data interpretation, and minimize distractions.
What are the Key Measurements in Display Technology?
Luminance (Brightness)
Luminance is a photometric measure of the luminous intensity per unit area of light traveling in a given direction. It is defined as the luminance of the brightest component (white color) and is measured in candela per square meter (cd/m²) or foot-lamberts (fL).
- Typical Luminance Values: Display luminance varies from 100 nits in most office monitors up to 1000 nits in front projection systems.
- Units of Measurement: The most common unit for luminance is cd/m², but in the U.S., fL is often used. 1 fL equals 3.426 cd/m².
You can use a luminance meter such as the LS-150 / LS-160 to measure luminance.
Display Contrast
Display contrast is the ratio between the brightest colors (white) and the darkest colors (black) that a monitor can produce. It is typically expressed in ratio form (bright:dark).
- Measuring Contrast: The generally accepted process involves measuring parts of a screen and expressing the contrast in ratio form. For example, a screen with a bright luminance of 150 nits and a dark luminance of 1 nit has a contrast ratio of 150:1.
- High-Performance Displays: Newer OLEDs with darker blacks produce much wider ratios. For instance, a monitor with 7500 nits (white) and 0.010 nits (black) has a contrast ratio of 750,000:1.
A higher contrast ratio results in more in-depth images with better screen quality, making it easier to interpret images and data.
How Does Contrast Ratio Impact Display Performance?
A display’s contrast ratio is one of the most important performance measurements. It is the most noticeable difference between two displays in a side-by-side comparison.
- LCD vs. OLED: A decent LCD screen might have a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, while an OLED display can have a contrast ratio of around 4000:1, with ultra-high-end units approaching 1,000,000:1.
A spectroradiometer, such as one from the CS-3000 series, is best for measuring contrast. High-end spectroradiometers can read luminance levels as low as 0.0001 cd/m² and as high as 10,000,000 cd/m².
Conclusion
Understanding and measuring luminance and display contrast are essential for optimizing cockpit instrumentation. These measurements ensure that displays are comfortable to view in various lighting conditions, enhancing safety and efficiency in the aerospace industry.
This article was first published by our partner Konica Minolta in their Light and Display Measurement Blog. Click here to read the full article.
RECENT POST
-
Webinar: Characterisation of Thermoplastics by Thermal ...
Feb 05, 2025
Webinars -
Importance of Display Contrast Measurement in Cockpit I...
Feb 05, 2025
Blog -
Upgrade Your Industrial Weighing System: The Benefits o...
Jan 08, 2025
Blog -
A Recap of 2024 and Holiday Arrangements
Dec 17, 2024
News -
Liquid Chromatography - How to Use Internal Standards
Dec 16, 2024
Blog -
Webinar: How to Clean a Laboratory Balance
Dec 05, 2024
Webinars -
Introducing the Evident IXplore IX85 Automated Inverted...
Dec 04, 2024
News -
Webinar: Thermal Analysis Techniques for the Recycling ...
Nov 28, 2024
Webinars