LED display pixel pitch determines the picture clarity and viewing distance, therefore, people for LED display higher quality picture pursuit oriented to a result – more tiny pixel pitch.
Experts thus put forward a Micro LED concept, in recent years and macro display related packaging technology, MiP LED technology really achieve the production of cost reduction and efficiency purposes, it set off a Micro LED technology revolution.
What is MiP LED display?
MiP LED display refers to the LED display obtained through the manufacturing process of MiP LED technology.
The full name of MiP is Micro LED in Package, which is a new type of packaging technology for Micro LED. the general production process of MiP LED technology is to cut the Micro/Mini LED panel into small pieces, and then test these small pieces, and eliminate the defective pieces directly, and the good products that pass the test will be classified and graded according to the color, brightness, and other dimensions.
The same level of good module together again for packaging, and finally through the SMT technology① will be the same level of small modules for the patch composition of LED screen module, in this way the LED screen module assembly to get the LED display, we call Mip LED display.
①SMT Technology：SMT Technology is known as Surface Mounted Technology, by mounting pinless or short-lead surface assembled components on the surface of printed circuit boards or other substrate surfaces, and then finally welded and assembled by methods such as flow soldering or dip soldering.
MiP LED technology process
- Material selection: Micro/Mini LED chips are used as raw materials.
- Encapsulation: Micro LED chips are transferred to the carrier board through mass transfer technology for encapsulation.
- Cutting: Cut the Micro/Mini LED panel into small pieces while ensuring the integrity of the circuit.
- Testing: Test the small pieces of LED panels, screen out the defective products returned to the factory, the good products are graded according to the color contrast and brightness, to ensure that the subsequent used to assemble the LED screen module of the color and brightness of the same.
- Encapsulation: Encapsulate the cut and screened panels with consistent color and brightness, and insulate them from air.
Surface treatment: assembled into LED modules by SMT technology and laminated on the surface.
MiP LED packaging technology development history
LED display encapsulation technology over the years with the changes in market demand, and constantly update the technology iteration, in the process of continuous innovation, non-stop progress, LED display packaging technology from the earliest DIP LED technology to the epoch-making SMD LED technology, SMD LED technology significantly reduces the size and weight of the LED screen, the advantages of reducing production costs while also improving the production efficiency, until now, SMD LED technology has been the most important technology for the development of LED display packaging.
SMD LED technology greatly reduces the volume and weight of LED screen, and improves the production efficiency while reducing the production cost. Until now, SMD LED technology is still the mainstream packaging technology of LED screen.
With the development of the information age, people’s demand for high-definition is getting higher and higher, more tiny pixel pitch has become the pursuit of the trend of LED screen, and tiny pixel pitch is the traditional SMD LED technology is difficult to do, so COB LED technology, IMD LED technology and MiP LED technology should be born.
Comparison of MiP LED with SMD LED, COB LED and IMD LED technology
SMD LED vs MiP LED
SMD full name is Surface Mounted Devices, SMD LED initial appearance is not quickly accepted by the LED market, due to the manufacturer of SMD LED technology market forecast is better, and continue to provide and develop SMD LED technology, SMD LED technology market is gradually booming, SMD LED technology is the most mature LED technology on the market. Currently, SMD LED technology is the most mature LED packaging method on the market, and is widely used in the LED display market.
Unfortunately, the limitation of SMD LED technology lies in the limitation of physical size, it is difficult to realize the pixel pitch less than P1.0, for today’s users to the pursuit of ultra-high-definition, SMD LED technology is difficult to satisfy the market of Macro LED screen, and the MiP LED technology can be applied to extremely tiny pixel pitch, which makes up for the Macro field which is difficult to be reached by SMD LED technology.
COB LED vs Mip LED
COB full name is Chip On Board, compared to SMD LED technology, COB LED technology can realize smaller LED screen pixel pitch, and it can do the traditional LED products 1/3 weight, COB LED screen is durable and heat dissipation ability, it is highly integrated, high pixel density packaging leader.
However, due to the complexity of the welding process, COB LED technology production and installation of labor costs more expensive than other technologies, relatively speaking, MiP LED technology, lower labor costs, maintenance is more simple and convenient.
IMD LED technology vs Mip LED
IMD full name is In-Mold Decoration, it combines the SMD LED technology and COB LED technology part of the advantages of the LED pixel pitch to achieve P0.4 ~ P0.9, compared with the traditional process, IMD LED technology reduces a large number of production steps, which means that it reduces a lot of time costs and labor costs.
IMD LED technology’s large number of steps to unify and automate the process improves the product’s productivity as well as durability, but its limitations are also very obvious – it can only be applied to a specific pixel pitch; MiP LED technology can handle a much wider range of pixel pitches for LED screens, and from this point of view, IMD LED technology is is not as widely used as MiP LED technology.
Key benefits of MIP LED technology
Higher Brightness (NIT Output): Normal indoor LED screens have an upper limit of 1,000 nits, while MiP LED screens can provide 4,000 nits, which is four times the level of normal indoor LED screens.
High Black Ratio: MiP LED screens have a black ratio of over 99%.
Pixel Pitch Adaptability: MiP LED technology is adaptable to a wide range of pitches and displays, unlike several other packaging technologies that are so limited in terms of pixel pitch.
Mass Transfer Technology: The mass transfer technology of MiP LED technology is able to transfer millions of miniature LED beads to the substrate at one time, which greatly shortens the manufacturing cost and time cost of LED screen, and also reduces the defect rate, which enhances the market competitiveness of MiP LED technology.
Durability: MiP LED will be coated with a protective resin coating, which can effectively prevent accidental impact, enhancing the durability of MiP LED screen.
Image Quality: MiP LED screens are more harmonious and consistent in color and contrast due to the test grading process during the production of MiP LED technology, which ensures amazing uniformity in the small pieces of the final assembled LED module. Whether it’s color, brightness or contrast, each bead of the MiP LED screen is very consistent, the screen is comfortable to watch, and MiP LED technology can achieve ultra-tiny pixel pitch, making the screen extremely clear and colorful, with vivid and rich details and good image quality.
Cost-effective: MiP LED technology screens out defective products during the manufacturing process, reducing the cost of subsequent repair and maintenance. Moreover, the equipment used in the manufacturing process is compatible with the existing equipment on the market, so there is no need to develop new machines to interface with MiP LED technology, which greatly reduces the cost of expenditure.
Enhance the viewing experience: MiP LED screen for the viewing angle of the limitations is also very small, the general viewing angle of the LED screen is about 150 ° ~ 160 °, but the best viewing angle of the MiP LED screen can reach more than 174 °, whether it is the front, the side or any other angle, the quality of the picture we viewed is very uniform, which greatly enhances the user’s viewing experience. Less Maintenance: MiP LED screens are more efficient in terms of maintenance.
Less maintenance: MiP LED screen panels have near-perfect spectral separation and excellent color mixing, and reduces pixel inconsistencies, which greatly reduces the cost of time for post-production calibration; MiP LED technology production methods make the subsequent replacement of faulty LED modules has become very simple, because the pixels are surface-mounted, easy to replace and low-cost, which minimizes the subsequent maintenance costs. This minimizes subsequent maintenance costs.
Good protection: The multiple encapsulation process of MiP LED technology makes the LED modules highly resistant to dust and moisture, as well as electrostatic protection, which enables MiP LED screens to operate smoothly and stably even in challenging environments.
Large market potential: MiP LED technology is a patterned, mass production technology, meaning it can handle mass production with ease. The relatively low cost of mass production of MiP LEDs will give it an edge in a highly competitive market.
Better heat dissipation: MiP LED technology has excellent heat dissipation performance, packaging design reduces energy consumption, reduces heat generation, and improves overall energy utilization, which greatly extends the service life of LED screens. The longer the service life of LED screens is extended, the greater the economic benefits.
Applications of MIP LED
MIP LED display screen is currently mainly used in indoor equipment, because of its small enough pixel pitch even close viewing will not pixelate, so that people have a good viewing experience; as for long-distance viewing, as long as the size of the MiP LED screen is large enough, image imaging is large enough, long-distance viewing is also able to show excellent performance, indoor any equipment to choose the MiP LED screen does not have any problem.
There is no problem in choosing a MiP LED screen for any indoor installation. MiP LED screen pixel density reveals its cost will not be too inexpensive, and outdoor activities often require a larger screen size, may be based on cost considerations, may be based on environmental considerations, the current MiP LED screen outdoor applications are not yet available, but this may be the next trend of development.
The future of MIP LED
MiP LED technology has undergone rapid development from its introduction to the present day and has achieved excellent results. Although the current market share of MiP LED is not the largest, its visual performance is excellent and the efficient mode of the production process makes it easy to mass produce, which is a strong competitive condition. In the future, MiP LED technology is likely to be adopted by the market on a large scale.
Conclusion
MiP LED technology realizes a more efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process for high-performance LED displays, and really achieves better picture quality, lower maintenance costs, and greater compatibility. With the modern pursuit of high-definition and macro LED displays getting stronger and stronger, MiP LED displays will become the ideal choice in the future.
