Sharp LM641836 LCD Display

Sharp LM641836: 9.4-inch Monochrome FSTN LCD Module Specs

Introduction to the LM641836 Display Module

The Sharp LM641836 is a 9.4-inch FSTN monochrome LCD module engineered for long-term reliability and visual clarity in established industrial and instrumentation applications. It delivers a crisp, high-contrast display critical for systems where data legibility is essential. Key specifications include: 640x480 VGA Resolution | CCFL Backlight | 18:1 Contrast Ratio. This module provides a stable visual interface and a predictable service life. For engineers seeking to maintain or service legacy equipment, the LM641836 offers a form-fit-function solution, ensuring operational continuity without the need for extensive system redesign.

Success Stories / Deployment Snippets

Proven Deployments in Demanding Environments

While specific customer deployments are proprietary, the LM641836 and its family of FSTN displays have a long history of integration into equipment where operational uptime is a primary engineering concern. These modules have been foundational components in early generations of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) on factory floors, numerical control panels, and portable test equipment. Their deployment in medical monitoring devices, where unambiguous display of vital statistics is crucial, further attests to their dependability. The module's straightforward digital interface and integrated backlight driver simplify its implementation in established designs, a key factor in its longevity in the market.

Application Scenarios & Value

Core Applications Where Uptime is Paramount

The design of the Sharp LM641836 lends itself to specific industrial and commercial sectors that prioritize durability and consistent performance over color graphics. Its robust build and clear monochrome output are ideally suited for:

• Industrial Control Panels: Providing clear readouts for process control, machinery status, and system alarms in manufacturing environments.
• Test and Measurement Equipment: Serving as the primary display for oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and other diagnostic tools where precise data visualization is key.
• Medical Instrumentation: Integrated into patient monitoring systems, diagnostic machines, and laboratory equipment that require stable, high-contrast displays.
• Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems: Used in legacy POS terminals and specialized retail hardware for displaying transaction data clearly to operators.

What is the primary benefit of its FSTN technology? It provides excellent contrast and wide viewing angles for a monochrome display, ensuring readability under various indoor lighting conditions. For legacy systems requiring a 640x480 VGA interface and stable 0-45°C operation, the LM641836 is a direct-fit solution ensuring continuity.

Intra-Series Comparison & Positioning

Positioning the LM641836: A Focus on Stability

Within the broader landscape of industrial displays, the Sharp LM641836 occupies a vital niche focused on stability and backward compatibility. Unlike modern full-color TFT-LCD panels, its FSTN technology is optimized for high-contrast, black-and-white graphical and character displays. This makes it less suited for video or complex graphical user interfaces but superior for applications where clarity of text and numerical data is the main objective. Compared to other monochrome technologies like standard STN, the Film-compensated STN (FSTN) provides a significantly better contrast ratio and a wider viewing cone, mitigating parallax error when viewed from an angle. The integrated CCFL backlight is a proven technology with a well-documented performance lifecycle, allowing for predictable maintenance schedules. A related product, the LM64183PR, offers similar core functionality, and engineers should evaluate datasheets to determine the most suitable fit for their specific application's interface and mechanical requirements.

Technical Deep Dive

An Engineering Breakdown of its Robust Architecture

The LM641836 module is a self-contained display system designed for straightforward integration. At its core is the 9.4-inch FSTN glass panel, which provides a dot matrix of 640 x 480 pixels. The display logic is managed by onboard driver ICs, which interpret the 4-bit parallel digital signals to actuate the liquid crystal cells. This parallel interface is a common standard in many industrial motherboards and single-board computers, simplifying driver development.

A key aspect of its design is the integrated Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) backlight system. This system includes the lamp itself and an inverter, requiring a separate power input. The specified minimum lifetime of 20,000 hours provides a tangible metric for calculating system reliability and maintenance intervals. The contrast ratio, specified at 18:1, serves as an important performance indicator. This ratio can be visualized as the brightness difference between a fully 'on' pixel and a fully 'off' pixel; a higher ratio means blacker blacks and whiter whites, leading to sharper, more easily readable text.

Industry Insights & Strategic Advantage

The Strategic Value of FSTN in Modern System Maintenance

In an industry increasingly dominated by high-resolution color displays, the continued relevance of monochrome FSTN modules like the LM641836 highlights a crucial strategic consideration: total cost of ownership (TCO) and lifecycle management. Many essential industrial and medical systems have certified operational lives spanning decades. For these platforms, replacing a failed display with a modern equivalent can trigger prohibitive recertification costs and software redevelopment. The availability of components like the LM641836 provides a direct, cost-effective path to repair and maintenance, extending the service life of valuable capital equipment. This approach aligns with sustainability goals by reducing electronic waste and ensures that critical infrastructure, from factory automation to healthcare, remains operational. More information on the differences between display types can be found in our guide comparing industrial versus consumer displays.

Key Parameter Overview

Critical Parameters for System Integration

The following parameters are extracted from the official datasheet and are crucial for design and integration purposes. For complete details, engineers should consult the full product documentation.

Download the Datasheet

For inquiries regarding the LM641836 or to discuss your specific display requirements, please contact our technical support team for detailed information. We can provide the essential data to help you verify if this module meets the engineering and logistical needs of your project.