Circuit-on-Display: A Flexible, Invisible Hybrid Electromagnetic Sensor Concept

Abstract

There have been scarce interactions between microwave circuits and display technologies over the past few decades. However, the two share many similarities leaving room for integration and co-development. Hence, we present a Circuit-on-Display (CoD) concept that dually functions as a radio-frequency transceiver and a high-resolution touch screen display. The approach is realized through a flexible, invisible hybrid electromagnetic sensor (HEMS) which is situated inside a high-resolution display panel. The CoD is integrated within a real-life millimeter-wave 5G NR Android-based cellular handset prototype to demonstrate a foreside beamforming coverage and a touch operation with high-resolution and optimal image quality. The devised HEMS prototype independently features flexibility, optically invisibility (transmittance >88%), and multi-functionality (system gain of 20.72 dB, beam scanning range of ±40°, and mutual capacitance change ratio >4.42%). The devised approach provides a new class of approach to enable microwave integrated circuits for new generation wireless electronics.