A passive matrix display refers to a type of flat panel display technology commonly used in electronic devices such as small handheld devices, calculators, and older generation laptop screens. It utilizes a grid of electrodes made up of rows and columns to control individual pixels on the screen.
In a passive matrix display, each electrode acts as a capacitor and holds a charge, while the pixels are represented by intersections between rows and columns. When an electrical charge is applied to a specific column and row intersection, the pixel at that point is activated and displays the desired color. The charge is maintained by capacitors and gradually discharges until it is refreshed by the next electrical pulse.
One critical characteristic of passive matrix displays is their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. They require fewer components and wiring compared to their counterparts, active matrix displays. However, passive matrix displays are limited in terms of resolution, contrast, and response time. Since the pixels share columns and rows, a larger screen with more pixels can lead to slower refresh rates and decreased image quality.
While passive matrix displays were widely used in the past due to their affordability and suitability for low-power devices, they have been largely replaced by active matrix displays, specifically thin-film transistor (TFT) technology. TFT technology offers higher resolution, improved clarity, wider viewing angles, and faster response times, making it more suitable for modern display requirements.
