Link copied to clipboard!

A practical guide to fast and cost-effective display implementation

Back to top

PART 1. From mechanics and electronics to optical performance

In this article you will explore key considerations in the display integration process, with practical insights to accelerate the implementation process. You will also learn best practices in using standard product solutions and customization for industrial applications. Topics covered:

  • Fundamentals of defining the display’s application
  • Key considerations for the display selection
  • How to accelerate product development and reduce costs
  • When to choose standard or customized solutions
  • How to select the display technology
  • Evaluation and prototyping solutions

 

Fundamentals of display integration

Display implementation involves multiple aspects, including mechanical, electronic and optical performance. The process begins with defining the application and use case:

  • Indoor vs. outdoor usage: outdoor applications require high brightness and vandal-proof protection.
  • User Interaction: will the display feature touch functionality, buttons, or serve as an information-only screen?
  • Resolution & size: determined by the type of information displayed (e.g., graphs vs. numeric data).

 

Real-world examples highlighting these considerations
Parcel lockers (outdoor)Require high brightness displays (>1000 nits) with vandal-proof protection and weatherproofing
Medical diagnostic equipment (indoor)Demands color accuracy, consistent backlighting, and often antimicrobial surfaces
Factory control panels (industrial)Need wide operating temperature ranges and resistance to vibration

 

Understanding these parameters early on streamlines the selection and integration process.

 

Planning and preparation for display selection

Proper planning is critical to avoid costly design modifications later in the process. In this phase, key considerations should include:

 

ParameterConsideration
ApplicationIndustrial, medical, military or consumer
SizeTypically ranges from 1″ to 12″ depending on use case
ResolutionHigh resolution for detailed graphics, lower for simple UI
Touch supportRequired for interactive devices, optional for displays with external controls
Interface LVDS, MIPI, SPI, HDMI or embedded solutions
TechnologyTFT LCD or specialized industrial displays

 

 

The fastest Time-to-Market with off-the-shelf solutions

To accelerate product development and reduce costs, selecting standard, ready-made display modules is often the best choice. Riverdi has developed hundreds of pre-designed models, each accompanied by:

 

Engineering resources and integration tools
Comprehensive documentationDatasheets, mechanical drawings, and specifications
3D modelsAllowing engineers to integrate the display into their enclosure designs
Firmware examplesSample code to simplify software integration
Application notesProviding electrical schematics and backlight driving guidance

 

Moreover, Riverdi’s ready-made models come with various interface options, offering flexibility to suit your system architecture:

  • LVDS/MIPI displays: ideal for embedded systems requiring high-speed data transfer and complex graphics
  • SPI-driven intelligent displays: perfect for systems where a simple host processor can offload graphics processing to the display itself (like the EVE 4 series)
  • STM32 Embedded displays: all-in-one solutions with integrated driving boards, minimizing development complexity
  • HDMI displays: plug-and-play solutions for rapid prototyping or systems using standard computer interfaces

Comparing this to the opportunities that can usually be found in the market, this is the unique factor that positively influences the speed of implementation. Full accessibility of technological data is one of the pivotal benefits of using Riverdi’s off-the-shelf solutions, important especially for product development specialists. To summarize, this way engineers can:

  • Select a display directly from the Riverdi website with parameters that perfectly match your project’s requirements
  • Download technical files without registration
  • Get evaluation kits for rapid testing

 

Customized vs. standard displays and work in parallel systems

While standard displays offer immediate implementation, some applications require personalized solutions. The decision to customize depends on the production volume and specific technical requirements. The table below summarizes the fundamental factors that determine the validity of customization.

 

Customization factorConsideration
Modifications

Adjusting the cover glass, interface and PCB design to meet the requirements of:

 

  • Outdoor or indoor use (e.g. weather- and vandal-resistant features)
  • User interaction features (e.g. multi- or single-touch)
  • Type of information displayed
Lead time

Timing depends on project readiness.

 

  • If rebuilding interfaces or the connectors is defined: Standard redesign phase takes approx. 2-3 weeks
  • After redesign approval: Manufacturing phase takes 10-15 weeks
Prototype strategy

For cost-effective, large-scale production (e.g. 1000+ devices), the most efficient approach is to start with a standard display solution.

 

  • This allows for rapid prototyping and significantly shortens time-to-market
  • After evaluating the prototype, you can decide whether to:
    • Proceed with the standard product, which is often a highly effective and reliable choice
    • Implement customizations based on specific project needs (check Modifications section)

 

The volume thresholds for customization vary depending on the type and extent of modifications required. While full customization (including display panel, cover glass, PCB and interfaces) typically requires volumes of 1000+ units annually, Riverdi offers flexibility for different project scales. For larger display sizes, customization may be feasible with volumes as low as 500 units. If your customization needs are limited to the PCB or interface components while using standard display panels, the threshold can be lower—potentially in the 200-300 unit range. This tiered approach ensures that even medium-scale projects can benefit from some level of display optimization.

 

Minimum order quantity for customized vs. standard displays
Full customization (standard)1000+ units per year
Full customization (larger displays)Minimum 500 units
PCB/Interface customization onlyAs low as 200-300 units
Standard productsNo minimum requirement

 

Another key advantage of the Riverdi approach is the ability to work in parallel streams. While your customized display is being manufactured, your engineering team can develop software and test integrations using identical standard displays. This parallel development path ensures that when your customized displays arrive, the implementation is already validated and ready for final testing— saving weeks or even months in your development timeline. All in all, customization ensures optimal performance in mass production but should be approached only when necessary to balance cost and efficiency.

 

Display technology selection

The choice of display technology is fundamental to system performance. For industrial and embedded applications, TFT LCD remains the preferred option due to its stability, longevity, and cost-effectiveness. However, in certain cases, OLED may be considered for smaller screens displaying simple content.

 

Technology Best use casesAdvantages
TFT LCD

Industrial, medical, military

Long lifespan, high reliability
OLEDSmall consumer devicesHigh contrast, vibrant colors

 

 

Evaluation and prototyping solutions

Before moving into full production, companies can buy accessories that are evaluation boards or plug-and-play HDMI displays to test functionality and performance.

  • Evaluation kits: modular boards allowing engineers to test different display configurations
  • HDMI Displays: useful for mock-ups and trade show demonstrations
  • Quick prototyping: reduces time spent on firmware development

 

Riverdi as your implementation partner

Beyond providing display hardware, Riverdi offers expertise and support throughout the decision-making and implementation process:

  • Technical consultation: engineering guidance on optimal display solutions for specific applications
  • Documentation access: immediate availability of complete technical documentation without registration barriers
  • Prototyping assistance: evaluation kits and support for rapid proof-of-concept development
  • Long-term partnership: support from initial design through volume production and product lifecycle

This partnership approach ensures that engineering teams can make informed decisions quickly, with confidence that they’re selecting the optimal display technology for both immediate implementation and long-term product success.

 

Conclusion

The implementation of displays in embedded systems requires careful planning to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness. By choosing Riverdi’s pre-designed solutions, comprehensive documentation and rapid prototyping tools, engineering teams can:

  • Reduce development cycles compared to traditional design approaches
  • Decrease engineering hours spent on display integration and troubleshooting
  • Minimize risks associated with custom design challenges
  • Maintain flexibility for future production-scale customization

With a clear roadmap and Riverdi’s technical support, companies can streamline display integration, significantly reduce time-to-market, and achieve optimal product performance while controlling development costs.

 

CHECK OUT RIVERDI’S IMPLEMENTATION-READY PRODUCTS

Be sure to find the right industrial-grade display for your device:

  • Need to enhance the brightness and optical performance of your display? Choose High Brightness IPS Displays with optical bonding that perfectly reduce the reflection and correct contrast.
  • In search of the most effective data interchange between graphics and a truly industrial touch controller? Check BT817Q (EVE 4) product category with revolutionary communication protocol for industrial, medical and military applications requiring beautiful and sophisticated GUI.
  • Looking for one of the highest resolution (1280×800 pixel) HMI displays based on STM32H7 MCUs? Choose STM32 Embedded Displays with high performance enabled by STM32H757XIH6 (2MB Flash, 1MB RAM) microcontroller.
  • Need a plug and play HDMI interface and USB-C touch solution? Pick the HDMI Displays that are high-resolution, high-brightness IPS TFT products with optical bonding and industrial grade touch screen as Riverdi’s standard.

 

CONTACT US

Contact our expert to dive deeper into display implementation for your project. Having issues with your current technology? Want to learn about frameworks and our clients’ success stories? We are happy to discuss and assist you with your design and R&D challenges.

DISCOVER OUR

Whitepaper

Achieve the perfect user-display interaction with the right Touch Sensor IC. Ever faced issues with phantom touch events or certification? Boost your R&D like a pro with our Whitepaper!

Save by quality

Go to our product catalog and see how you can save by quality, not on quality.

Contact us now, save with quality, not on quality.