PRODUCTS & S ER V ICES
Display test systems from Radiant Vision Systems
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
MARCH 2020 217
isplays have become central
to our experiences in virtually
every environment, including
the aircraft cabin. In-flight entertainment
(IFE) displays not only promise passenger
comfort and convenience, but are a
component of perceived luxury. New
seatback systems incorporate Ultra HD,
4K or even 8K displays, with a broad
colour gamut, high brightness, and sharp
contrast – factors that improve picture
quality beyond the average flight
experience. Incorporating leading-edge
displays into the cabin can certainly
boost brand perception, but visual display
quality is a variable that can be impacted
by inconsistencies that may occur during
manufacturing or installation. Display
testing is a prerequisite to any display
integration to safeguard investment and
provide the intended viewing experience.
Visual display defects may include
poor brightness (luminance) output,
incorrect coloration (chromaticity), poor
uniformity across the display, and dark
or bright areas referred to as ‘mura’
(Japanese for ‘unevenness’). Displays are
composed of multiple layers of material
bonded together. It is virtually impossible
to combine these layers with perfect
precision, as misalignment, gaps, air
bubbles or other imperfections can
appear. While some of these defects
are introduced during the production
of displays, they can also result from
mechanical stress, such as pinching or
twisting during installation. Many factors
can cause irregularities in how light filters
through the layers of a display and
impact the passengers’ perception of
display quality. For this reason, displays
are typically inspected as they are
assembled on the production line,
and again after integration.
Display test systems typically
incorporate specialised inspection
safeguard the quality of cabin displays
D
FLAWLESS DISPLAYS
optics like conoscope lenses, which are
used to test a display’s viewing angle
performance (ensuring it has accurate
brightness, colour and contrast from
every viewing angle). Analysis software
provides numerical values of each
visual display characteristic, which can
be used to set tolerances for quality
that ensure every display looks exactly
as intended.
With consumer expectations guided
by the latest television and smartphone
displays, aircraft interiors that offer
displays of the same visual calibre
are at the forefront of the passenger
experience. Display testing is a critical
part of this experience, and protects the
investment necessary to incorporate
next-generation display technologies.
cameras called imaging colorimeters.
These systems are scientific-grade
measurement tools that rely on highresolution
image sensors (a CCD or CMOS
sensor) to capture large spatial areas –
such as a display – in a single, highly
detailed image. Built-in colour filters pass
light through to the sensor in a way that
replicates how different wavelengths and
intensities of light are received by the
human eye. Using imaging colorimeters
for automated display testing allows
objective measurement of multiple
characteristics, as well as any defects
that a viewer may see, with the same
sensitivity as the human eye, and with
greater speed and consistency than
a subjective human inspector.
Display manufacturers and integrators
use imaging colorimeters to efficiently
analyse display brightness, colour,
contrast and uniformity, and to check for
defects such as dead pixels and mura.
Other testing may incorporate specialised
FREE READER ENQUIRY SERVICE
To request more details from Radiant Vision Systems,
visit www.magupdate.co.uk/paii
Display testing
can help ensure that
the quality of IFE
displays matches
that of consumer
products
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