How e-paper works_duplicated - Pervasive Displays

How e-paper works

E-paper (also called ePaper) is an electronic display technology that mimics the appearance of paper. Using the same inks as the traditional printing industry, e-paper displays (EPDs) have tiny capsules filled with charged ink particles. When the proper charge is applied, an EPD creates highly detailed images with the contrast ratio and readability of printed material.

The technology is here to make e-paper a genuine replacement for paper

Advantages of e-Paper displays

As a bistable display technology, e-paper can be extremely low power, allowing it to be used in devices without the power budget of a traditional liquid crystal display (LCD). Once the rendering of text and images of an EPD is complete, no power if needed to maintain the display. E-paper is so low power that harvested energy can be used to make updates, enabling the use of RFID or NFC devices with batteryless EPDs.

For more insight into how e-paper works, download our white paper.

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Applications of e-Paper

Ultra-low-power displays open new options for IoT and industrial applications

Made famous by the Amazon Kindle, e-paper is an electronic display technology that mimics the appearance of paper. You can add thin, light, highly-readable e-paper displays to extremely power-constrained devices to enhance many IoT applications including logistics, discrete manufacturing and retail. You can find electronic paper display technology in digital signs, tablets, flexible displays, monitors, and much more.

Designing e-paper displays for IoT applications

Wirelessly connected electronic shelf labels allow remote, central management, and dynamic price strategies in retail locations
E-paper provides at-a-glance visibility into RFID/NFC tag data in logistics and manufacturing applications
EPDs can improve the usability of many battery-powered IoT devices, such as utility meters, cold-chain temperature data loggers, and environmental sensors

The most straightforward approach is to adopt an internal Timing Controller (iTC) module. For ultra-lower power consumption, opt for an external Timing Controller (eTC) architecture, in which the host MPU generates the driving waveform.

You can try these approaches today with a development kit from Pervasive Displays, which contains an onboard driving circuit to help you easily develop EPD applications.

Low and ultra-low power consumption
NFC/RFID energy-harvesting capability
High resolution / High readability – even outdoors
Thin and lightweight form factor
The bistable display retains image without power
Three-color e-paper displays available

Download white paper

What is the difference between e-Paper and E-ink

E-Ink (or E Ink) is a specific brand name of electrophoretic ink, often called electronic ink. When this ink technology is combined with a laminated plastic film and adhered to electronics, it creates an Electronic Paper Display (EPD) or e-Paper.

Pervasive Displays is proud to offer E Ink brand e-paper displays in a variety of sizes in both black and white and color options.

Is e-Paper better than LCD/OLED?

E-Paper displays are widely believed to be easier to read, and the display technology allows for screens much smaller than possible with LCD/OLED screens.

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E-paper is far less power-hungry than reflective TFT-LCD screen.

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Please contact us if you’d like to get a complete look at power consumption for your application.

What is e-paper?

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How low-power e-paper displays enhance IoT applications