CIE Components in Electronics
Ineltek has developed a low-cost, simple-to-use family of E Ink display add-on boards for the Microchip Xplained Pro prototyping and evaluation platform – currently available with 1.5”, 2.9” and 5.7” displays. Our Ineltek E Ink Xplained Pro boards make it easy to connect and easy to develop using E Ink’s unique enabling technology in a Microchip ARM® or AVR® based development environment. Ineltek’s support for your e-paper display development includes software libraries, example projects, 2D and 3D CAD for the displays and the PCB data to quickly prototype your own designs.
Ineltek will be exhibiting at this year’s Southern Manufacturing show in Farnborough, on stand number L60.
E Ink
E Ink displays are ultra-low power displays that retain their image even when power is removed, making them ideal for low-power applications. Originally developed at MIT in 1997 to create a battery powered electronic book that could last for weeks without charging, it was also developed to allow the user to read off the screen for long periods of time without strain. E Ink has since branched out and now develops screens of all shapes and sizes for varying markets from shelf labels to outdoor signage. Originally developed in black and white, displays are now available in three colour variants adding yellow or red into the mix.
Highlights
- Low Power: E Ink displays only consume power when changing the state of the display. Once power is removed, the display will continue to hold an image. This allows for battery powered applications that can retain critical information, even if the battery drains.
- Sunlight Readability: Easy on the eyes, E Ink displays are reflective displays and only get easier to read outdoors. Great for outdoor signage and power consumption where a backlight isn’t required.
- Paper-Like Display: E Ink displays look and feel like paper but are much more dynamic. Useful not only for reading, but for barcode scanning where traditional LCDs often fall short.
Getting Started
In order to get started with the E Ink Xplained Pro, a Microchip Xplained MCU board is required. The software can then be downloaded from GitHub. Once extracted, example projects are available for a number of MCUs and can be compiled and programmed to get the demo up and running. Documentation is included with the software library to walk through setting up a new project with the E Ink software library included. For more info contact Ineltek UK at info@ineltek.co.uk.
Prototype to Production
The E Ink Xplained Pro is designed to get you up and running with a prototype in a matter of minutes. Once you are ready to move on from evaluation, we aim to get you in production with as quickly and as easily as possible. Datasheets are available for the each of the E Ink displays and reference schematics are available to allow you to simply paste into your own project. 2D and 3D CAD data is also available to aid in both electronic and mechanical design. Should you wish to use a different size display, Ineltek can aid in getting you the display best suited to your application. Reference designs can then easily be adapted for your selected display.
Contact
INELTEK Ltd.
Unit 2B Saturn House
Calleva Park, Aldermaston
Berkshire, RG7 8HA
+44 1189 703388
