SP14Q002-B1 | Industrial Grade Monochrome FSTN Display for High-Clarity HMI
The SP14Q002-B1 is a 5.7-inch QVGA monochrome display engineered for exceptional clarity and long-term reliability in demanding industrial environments. Developed by the lineage of Hitachi, now under the quality manufacturing umbrella of Tianma, this display remains a cornerstone component for applications where unambiguous data presentation is mission-critical. It is an ideal solution for both new designs requiring robust, cost-effective visualization and for direct drop-in replacement in legacy systems.
Core Features for the Industrial Engineer
- High-Contrast FSTN Technology: Delivers crisp, clear black-and-white images with a wide viewing cone, ensuring excellent readability for text, numbers, and simple graphics from various operator angles.
- Proven CCFL Backlight: Features a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) backlight system, known for its stable light output and long operational life. Crucially, the backlight is replaceable, extending the service life of the entire HMI unit.
- Robust Industrial Design: Built to operate reliably in standard industrial temperature ranges (0 to +50°C), making it a workhorse for factory floors, control rooms, and laboratory settings.
- Simplified Integration: Utilizes a standard 4-bit parallel data interface, ensuring straightforward integration with a wide range of microcontrollers and legacy system controllers without the need for complex interface conversion.
Technical Deep Dive: Why FSTN and CCFL Still Excel
While modern color TFT-LCD screens dominate the market, the specific engineering choices behind the SP14Q002-B1 offer distinct advantages. The Film Compensated Super-Twisted Nematic (FSTN) liquid crystal technology is deliberately chosen for its superior contrast and viewing angle in a monochrome format compared to older STN or TN displays. For an industrial HMI displaying critical process data, diagnostic codes, or setpoints, this high-contrast readability eliminates ambiguity and reduces operator error—a factor that often outweighs the need for color.
Furthermore, the CCFL backlight system represents a strategic choice for long-term serviceability. Unlike some integrated LED backlights, the CCFL lamp in the SP14Q002-B1 is a field-replaceable unit. This design philosophy is invaluable for assets with a planned operational life of 10-15 years or more. Instead of replacing an entire HMI module due to a faded backlight, a technician can perform a simple, low-cost lamp replacement, significantly reducing total cost of ownership and equipment downtime.
Application Sweet Spots for the SP14Q002-B1
The unique feature set of the SP14Q002-B1 makes it the preferred choice in several key industrial sectors:
- Industrial Control Panels: Perfect for PLCs, CNC machines, and process controllers where operators need to see status information, alarms, and input parameters clearly and instantly.
- Test and Measurement Equipment: In oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and network testers, the sharp, pixel-perfect display of waveforms and numeric data is essential for accurate readings.
- Medical Monitoring Devices: Suitable for patient monitors and diagnostic equipment that require a highly reliable, easy-to-read display for vital statistics, where the focus is on data clarity over color representation.
- Legacy System Retrofits: As an industry-standard 5.7" QVGA module, the SP14Q002-B1 serves as a vital component for extending the life of valuable, field-proven equipment, avoiding the immense cost and re-validation efforts of a complete system redesign.
Key Technical Specifications
The following table provides a quick reference for system integrators. For complete design details, download the official SP14Q002-B1 datasheet.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Tianma (Originally Hitachi) |
| Screen Size | 5.7 inch (14.4 cm) |
| Resolution | 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA) |
| Display Technology | FSTN (Film Compensated STN) Monochrome LCD |
| Backlight | Single CCFL, Replaceable |
| Brightness | 150 cd/m² (Typical) |
| Contrast Ratio | 25:1 (Typical) |
| Interface | 4-bit Parallel Data (LSB/MSB Selectable) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +50°C |
| Storage Temperature | -20°C to +60°C |
Engineer's FAQ for the SP14Q002-B1
Is the CCFL backlight system still a viable choice?
Absolutely, especially for applications prioritizing stability and serviceability. CCFLs provide a very stable and consistent light source across the display's operating temperature range. The key advantage of the SP14Q002-B1's design is the replaceable lamp, which is a critical feature for maintaining industrial equipment over long lifecycles. It offers a predictable and cost-effective maintenance path compared to displays with fully integrated, non-serviceable backlights.
Can this display be integrated into new product designs?
Yes. While it is a popular choice for retrofits, the SP14Q002-B1 is an excellent component for new designs where the primary goal is a no-frills, high-clarity, and extremely reliable operator interface. For cost-sensitive industrial tools or instruments where color is unnecessary, this display provides a robust, easy-to-integrate solution that simplifies both hardware and software design, contributing to a faster time-to-market. When you need a dependable workhorse from our catalog of industrial LCD displays, this model is a prime candidate.
