Stellar Displays
How it works
/RLCD explained
/TLCD explained
/RLCD vs TLCD

Technology · Decision

RLCD or TLCD. Choose with confidence.

Two architectures, two duty cycles. RLCD turns ambient light into a sub-milliwatt image. TLCD blends reflection and backlight to span every lux. Here is the decision, mapped across power, color, temperature and cost.

View RLCD ProductsView TLCD Products
TECH · 03 · COMPARATIVE STACKUPREV · 2026.07
Ambient in → reflected out
RLC · Reflective
  • L1Cover glass
  • L2Front polarizer
  • L3LC cell
  • L4Rear polarizer
  • L5Reflector matrix
  • L6TFT backplane
Ambient + backlight
TLC · Transflective
  • L1Bonded cover glass
  • L2Front polarizer
  • L3LC cell
  • L4Transflector
  • L5Edge-lit backlight
  • L6TFT backplane
Static power
< 1 mW
Active power
0.6 – 3.5 W
Ambient band
Sun-dependent
Ambient band
0 – 100k lux
SCALE · 5 : 1SHEET · 01 / 01

Quick decision · 30-second read

Which one answers your program.

Two production-grade paths. Pick the column that matches your operating environment.

RLC · Reflective
Rec · fit

Choose RLCD for daylight and microwatts.

  • Zero-backlight, ambient-driven imaging
  • Solar and coin-cell power budgets
  • Extreme outdoor, off-grid deployments
  • Bistable segment / graphic refresh classes
View RLCD Products
TLC · Transflective
Rec · fit

Choose TLCD when the shift never ends.

  • 24 / 7 continuous duty cycles
  • Seamless sun-to-darkness legibility
  • Full-color, wide-gamut interfaces
  • Ambient-sensor driven backlight blend
View TLCD Products

Specification matrix · Side by side

Every parameter procurement will check.

One precise data table. Values reflect shipping programs, not marketing envelopes. Bring it to your design review.

Benchmark
Unit
RLCD
TLCD
Method / note
Optical reflection efficiency
%
≥ 85
40 – 55
Higher in RLCD; TLCD sacrifices for transmission.
Static power draw
mW
≤ 1
≤ 30
RLCD supports coin-cell / trickle bus.
Active power (backlit)
W
n/a
0.6 – 3.5
Backlight engages only in low ambient.
Backlight dependency
—
None
Auxiliary edge-lit
TLCD requires PWM + ambient sensor loop.
Direct-sun legibility
lux
≥ 100k
≥ 100k
Both scale up with ambient light.
Zero-ambient legibility
—
Requires frontlight
Native (backlit)
TLCD wins the darkness case outright.
Color gamut coverage
% sRGB
35 – 55
60 – 85
TLCD preserves color-critical iconography.
Response time
ms
≤ 15
≤ 10
Both suit UI/telemetry; TLCD better for motion.
Operating temperature
°C
−30 / +85
−30 / +85
Identical thermal envelope.
Panel format range
in
1.5 – 10.1
3.5 – 15.6
TLCD scales to full-size HMI.
Relative unit cost
—
$ base
$$ +25 – 60%
Transflector + backlight adds BOM.

Best-fit deployments

Real programs, matched to architecture.

Every entry is a shipping deployment category. Use it as the pattern for your own environment.

RLC · Reflective
  • Solar transit signage
    Off-grid · Direct sun · −30/+85°C
  • Handheld field meters
    Coin-cell · IP67 · Ruggedized
  • Smart-agri outdoor monitors
    Solar trickle · UV-stable · Multi-year
  • Electronic shelf labels
    CR2450 · Bistable · Mesh RF
  • Utility grid meters
    Trickle bus · 15-yr life · Outdoor enclosure
TLC · Transflective
  • 24/7 marine bridge displays
    Sun deck → night bridge · Salt-fog
  • Emergency response vehicle terminals
    Cabin · Cold-start · Vibration
  • Industrial factory control panels
    Dynamic lighting · Continuous duty
  • Cockpit avionics & telematics
    Cabin sun-load · Bonded stack
  • DC fast-charger kiosks
    Outdoor · −30/+85°C · Continuous

Tradeoffs · Radical transparency

Boundaries, not hidden risks.

Every architecture has limits. We publish ours before your design review finds them mid-integration.

RLC · Constraints
  • Zero-ambient environments
    Rooms with no light produce no image. Requires an optional frontlight variant to remain legible.
  • Wide-gamut color work
    Color coverage tops out below full sRGB. Not the target for HDR or color-critical retouch.
  • 60 fps full-motion video
    Optimized for UI and telemetry refresh, not continuous motion pipelines.
TLC · Constraints
  • Sub-mW power budgets
    Backlight draws power in darkness. Not a coin-cell architecture for multi-year deployments.
  • Ultra-thin bezel targets
    Edge-lit stack adds ≈1.5 mm Z-height. Not for sub-3 mm wearable form factors.
  • Cost-sensitive segment BOM
    Transflector + backlight carries a higher BOM than a pure RLCD segment module.

Technology selection matrix

Three inputs. One recommendation.

Set your environment, power source and duty cycle. Get a recommended architecture, with the reasoning behind it.

Input · design constraints

3 · axes
01Primary light environment
02Target power source
03Operational duty cycle
Recommendation · logic output
Suggested class
RLCD
Reflective LCD architecture
Reasoning

Based on your inputs, RLCD is the closest technology fit — high ambient light favors a reflective stack.

Browse RLCD productsValidate with engineering

Product routing

From decision to procurement.

Four routes into the catalog, from spec review to bespoke build.

PATH · 01
Browse RLCD Displays
Reflective segment, character and graphic panels for battery and solar hardware.
Enter
PATH · 02
Browse TLCD Displays
Transflective full-color panels for 24/7 mixed-lux hardware programs.
Enter
PATH · 03
Explore RTS Catalog
Ready-to-ship standard SKUs with live inventory and documented lead times.
Enter
PATH · 04
Start Custom Solutions
Bespoke optical stackups, coatings, FPCs and ruggedization programs.
Enter

Resources · Utility strip

Answers for what is left.

How it works
Ambient light path primer
RLCD Explained
Reflective architecture deep dive
TLCD Explained
Transflective architecture deep dive
Datasheets Library
Panel specs & mechanical drawings
Technology FAQ
Resolved engineering objections
Contact Engineering
Talk to a field applications engineer

Close the loop · Engineering-led procurement

From decision to an engineered quote.

Priced by an engineer, not a sales rep. Share volumes, environment and timeline. We return qualified SKUs, drawings and lead times.

Primary actionPriority · 01

Request a Quote

Share your spec envelope and timeline. An engineer responds within one business day.

Request a Quote
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