Electronic Paper Display (EPD)
Overview: Electronic paper display, also known as e-paper or e-ink, is a display technology designed to mimic the appearance of ordinary ink on paper. It offers high readability in direct sunlight and extremely low power consumption.
Pros
- ✅ Ultra-low power (only uses power when updating)
- ✅ Sunlight readable
- ✅ No backlight (reduces eye strain)
- ✅ Wide viewing angle
Cons
- ❌ Slow refresh rate (~200–800ms)
- ❌ Limited color options (mostly grayscale)
- ❌ Fragile glass substrate
- ❌ Higher cost per inch than LCD
Common Applications
E-readers
Smart badges
Retail price tags
Wearables
Industrial HMI
Popular EPD Controllers
SSD16xx, IL38xx, UC81xx series – often used with SPI interface.
Note: Requires specific waveform timing and temperature compensation for optimal performance.