Fujitsu and Hitachi to Develop PDP Technology

Staff -- Semiconductor International, 10/1/1998

Fujitsu and Hitachi (Tokyo, Japan) have reached a wide-ranging cooperative development agreement to promote wider dissemination of color plasma display panels (PDPs) for high-resolution information display and digital television applications. Under the agreement, the two companies will undertake joint development of PDP cell design, drive control, processes and materials as well as related production equipment and volume process technologies.

According to the two companies, PDP display technology is most promising for digital television. Digital broadcasting is scheduled to begin in the United States and Japan during the next two years. The companies plan to improve performance, develop new processes and expedite commercialization for large-screen color PDPs.

Fujitsu has invented core PDP technologies, and the company has been a leader in bringing commercial color PDPs to market. The company also has been mass producing a 42 in. color PDP for over a year. Hitachi has been researching and developing PDP technology since 1970 and has obtained patents for a false contours prevention method and other basic technologies. The company has produced 25 and 41 in. XGA-compatible PDPs and has worked to promote the PDP market.