MiniLED Display – FALD
More Light. More Precision. Less Energy.
Inspired by Nature
In nature, energy is rarely wasted. A firefly glows only when it serves a purpose—whether for communication or orientation—not continuously, but selectively. This very principle—using energy only where it is needed—has now found its way into modern display technology.
With MiniLED backlighting combined with Local Dimming, NEXT SYSTEM brings this nature-inspired concept to industrial display applications.
From the Edge to the Center
MiniLED backlighting introduces a technology to the industrial sector that has already become well established in premium consumer electronics. For industrial displays, this translates into one key advantage: greater control over light, energy consumption, and image quality.
The difference lies in the architecture. Conventional TFT displays typically rely on edge-lit technology, where LEDs are positioned along the display’s edges. MiniLED, by contrast, uses a direct backlight, placing the light sources directly behind the LCD panel.
The LEDs themselves are extremely small (approximately 0.1–0.2 mm) and arranged in a high-density matrix. The result is a far more uniform backlight and, most importantly, significantly more precise control of individual image areas.
Higher Density – Higher Brightness – Greater Energy Savings
This new architecture enables peak brightness levels exceeding 2,000 nits without disproportionately increasing thermal load. Heat is distributed much more evenly, improving overall system stability while extending component lifetime.
A direct backlight typically consumes around 25% less power than conventional display backlighting.
Rethinking Thermal and Mechanical Design
Placing the LEDs directly behind the panel also provides important mechanical advantages. Eliminating light guide plates (LGPs) removes one of the display’s structural weak points, resulting in greater resistance to vibration and mechanical stress.
Thermal simulations also demonstrate substantially lower component temperatures—below 45°C compared to up to 60°C in edge-lit systems. In industrial environments requiring continuous operation, this is a decisive factor for reliability and long-term performance.
When Light Becomes Selective: FALD
The full potential of MiniLED technology is unlocked when combined with Full Array Local Dimming (FALD). Here, the backlight is divided into numerous independently controlled lighting zones.
In practical terms, this means:
- Bright image areas are illuminated precisely where needed.
- Dark image areas remain almost completely switched off.
The visual benefits are immediately apparent:
- Contrast ratios of up to 100,000:1 (Yes, you read that correctly!)
- Significantly deeper blacks
- Dramatically reduced “glow” or halo effects commonly associated with conventional backlights
In addition, zonal backlight control actively compensates for panel non-uniformities (Mura), further improving overall image quality.
Efficiency and Sustainability with Direct Backlight and FALD
Another major advantage is energy efficiency. A direct backlight alone reduces power consumption by approximately 25%, while FALD technology can provide an additional saving of around 30%. Since the entire display area no longer needs to be illuminated continuously, overall energy demand decreases significantly.
Depending on the displayed content, total energy savings of up to 50% are achievable.
This approach follows a principle found throughout nature: be active only where necessary.
This selective use of energy also makes MiniLED with Local Dimming an attractive solution from a sustainability perspective. Fewer continuously active LEDs mean lower power losses, reduced heat generation, and consequently less cooling effort throughout the entire system.
At the same time, improved efficiency extends component lifetime. Longer operating cycles, lower energy consumption, and more stable thermal conditions all help conserve valuable resources—not only during daily operation but throughout the product’s entire lifecycle.
As a result, what begins as a technological improvement becomes genuine added value for modern energy-efficient systems: high performance today, with a clear step toward greener electronics.
Technology with Broad Application Potential
MiniLED with Local Dimming opens up entirely new possibilities for industrial applications. Systems benefit simultaneously from increased brightness, improved contrast, and superior energy efficiency:
- EV chargers and outdoor systems through improved thermal management and enhanced readability
- Medical displays with highly accurate image reproduction and wide color gamut (up to 95% NTSC)
- Infotainment and HMI solutions with enhanced HDR performance and superior contrast
- Rugged applications through increased mechanical robustness
Direct Comparison
- Feature
- Power consumption
- Contrast ratio
- Thermal performance
- Vibration resistance
- Edge-Lit TFT
- high
- ~1.000:1
- critical
- sensitive
- MiniLED + FALD
- significantly reduced
- up to 100.000:1
- optimized
- robust
Conclusion: Efficiency Is No Coincidence
MiniLED backlighting with Full Array Local Dimming is far more than an incremental improvement. It is a display technology built upon a proven principle:
Use resources precisely where they are needed instead of wasting them across the entire system.
Still wondering whether this technology is the right choice for your application?
The precise answer comes from Christoph Haider at NEXT SYSTEM—tailored specifically to your application.
Christoph Haider
Head of Product Center, Displays & Touch
