Wide-angle, gray-scale AMLCD for flight decks with cross-cockpit viewing requirements

A high-resolution, wide-angle view, normally black active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) has been developed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Shuttle glass cockpit upgrade program. With nine 6.71 by 6.71 in. Active area AMLCDs on the front panel, all containing vehicle flight information, the displays must exhibit optimal performance over the entire AMLCD viewing envelope [±60 deg horizontal (H) and -10/+45 deg vertical (V)], under dark and high-ambient flight deck lighting conditions. Cross-cockpit AMLCDs must provide high off-axis contrast ratios; vertical and horizontal gray-level stability, a consistent and predictable mixture of primary colors; saturated colors; low reflectance; sunlight readability; and a dark, achromatic background over all viewing angles