In the last several years, the application of electronic devices to the automobile has grown exponentially. Environmental concerns and fuel costs have created the need which has been fulfilled by the rapid advance of LSI semiconductor technology. LSI microcomputers are being considered for almost all control functions within the automobile. For those applications requiring visual display, the digital information inherent in the microcomputer system is most compatible with the electronic type displays. Today, the display technologies in practical use are Planar Vacuum Fluorescent, Light Emitting Diode, Liquid Crystal and Gas Discharge. The Planar VFD has achieved the greatest acceptance for automotive applications. This paper will describe the Planar VFD, explain its features and benefits, and compare them with other display technologies.
