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A passive-matrix display is a screen in which pixels are addressed at the intersections of row and column electrodes. The display updates by selecting rows in sequence and sending the image data through the columns; unlike an active-matrix display, it does not use a separate active switching element, such as a transistor, at every pixel.
How passive-matrix addressing works
Imagine a grid of horizontal row conductors and vertical column conductors. Each crossing corresponds to a pixel. The display controller selects a row, applies the appropriate image signals to the columns, and then moves on to the next row. Repeating this scan updates the whole image.
In a passive-matrix LCD, transparent electrodes on opposing substrates cross around a liquid-crystal layer. The voltage at a selected row-column intersection changes how the liquid crystal affects light. The grid reduces the need for wiring and per-pixel switching components, but the shared conductors mean each pixel is not controlled as independently as in an active-matrix panel.
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Passive matrix describes addressing, not the display material
“Passive matrix” names the method used to select pixels; it does not specify a single way of producing or controlling light. Passive-matrix LCDs use liquid crystals to alter light passing through the panel. Passive-matrix OLEDs also use intersecting row and column conductors, but OLED material at the intersections emits light. In both cases, rows are addressed in sequence, while the pixel technology determines how light is controlled or produced.
Passive matrix versus active matrix
The main architectural difference is whether each pixel has its own active control element. Passive matrix relies on the shared electrode grid and row-by-row scanning. Active matrix places a nonlinear control element at each pixel, enabling more independent control and helping address the limits of multiplexed scanning as resolution and information content rise.
| Aspect | Passive matrix | Active matrix |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel control | Shared row and column conductors select pixels by scanning rows. | A control element at each pixel supports more independent control. |
| Construction | Simpler architecture, which can cost less. | More per-pixel circuitry. |
| Image behavior | Multiplexing can contribute to slower response, ghosting or crosstalk, blur, and reduced contrast, especially as row count and resolution increase. | Typically better suited to high-resolution displays and fast-changing images. |
These are broad tendencies, not guarantees for every panel. Actual performance depends on the display materials, panel design, and drive circuitry. The available technical sources do not establish one universal refresh rate, contrast ratio, power figure, or resolution limit for either category. For a specific screen, compare its specifications and behavior for the intended use—particularly motion response, contrast, viewing behavior, and power consumption.
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Because passive-matrix displays share row and column conductors, selecting one pixel is less isolated than it is with per-pixel active control. As row count rises, multiplexing can make it harder to maintain clear, consistent pixel behavior across the image. Depending on the panel, that may show up as ghosting or crosstalk, slower response, blur, or reduced contrast. These are possible trade-offs, not inevitable properties of every passive-matrix screen.
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- 【Display Specifications 】 Display Mode: Passive Matrix. Display Color: Monochrome (White) . Drive Duty: 1/64 Duty . 【Mechanical Specifications】 Outline Drawing: According to the annexed outline drawing . Number of Pixels: 128 × 64 . Panel Size: 42.04 × 27.22 × 1.45 (mm) . Active Area: 35.052 × 17.516 (mm) . Pixel Pitch: 0.274 × 0.274 (mm) . Pixel Size: 0.254 × 0.254 (mm) . Weight: 3.28 (g).
- 【Power up Sequence】 Power up VDD; Send Display off command ; Initialization; Clear Screen; Power up VCC; Delay 100ms (When VCC is stable); Send Display on command ; 【Power down Sequence】 Send Display off command; Power down VCC; Delay 100ms; (When VCC is reach 0 and panel is completely discharges) Power down VDD.
- 【Note】 Since an ESD protection circuit is connected between VDD and VCC inside the driver IC, VCC becomes lower than VDD whenever VDD is ON and VCC is OFF. VCC should be kept float (disable) when it is OFF. Power Pins (VDD, VCC) can never be pulled to ground under any circumstance. VDD should not be power down before VCC power down. Reset Circuit: When RES# input is low, the chip is initialized with the following status. Display is OFF;128×64 Display Mode;
- SSD1309 is a single-chip CMOS OLED/PLED driver with controller for organic / polymer light emitting diode dot-matrix graphic display system. It consists of 128 segments and 64 commons. This IC is designed for Common Cathode type OLED panel. The SSD1309 embeds with contrast control, display RAM and oscillator, which reduces the number of external components and power consumption. It has 256-step brightness control.
- 【FEATURES】 Resolution: 128 x 64 dot matrix panel . Power supply . VDD = 1.65V ~ 3.3V for IC logic . VCC = 7.0V ~ 16.0V for Panel driving. For matrix display . OLED driving output voltage, 16V maximum. Segment maximum source current: 320uA. Common maximum sink current: 40mA . 256 step contrast brightness current control. Embedded 128 x 64 bit SRAM display buffer . Programmable Multiplexing Ratio. Wide range of operating temperature: -40°C to 85°C.
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