Multi-function display

A Multi-function display (MFD) (part of Multi Function structures) is a small screen (CRT or LCD) in an aircraft surrounded by multiple buttons that can be used to display information to the pilot in numerous configurable ways. Often an MFD will be used in concert with a Primary Flight Display. MFDs are part of the digital era of modern planes or helicopter. The first MFD were introduced by air forces. The advantage of an MFD over analog display is that an MFD does not consume much space in the cockpit. For example the cockpit of RAH-66 "Comanche" does not have analog dials or gauges at all. All information is displayed on the MFD pages. The possible MFD pages could differ for every plane, complementing their abilities (in combat).

Many MFDs allow the pilot to display their navigation route, moving map, weather radar, NEXRAD, GPWS, TCAS and airport information all on the same screen.

MFD's are added to the Space Shuttle (as the glass cockpit) starting in 1998 replacing the analog instruments and CRT's. The information being displayed is similar, and the glass cockpit was first flown on the STS-101 mission.

MFD in automotive community refers to the usage of these small screen display in modern cars with information about the Multimedia,Navigatoin, Vehicle status etc. These echnology started with the luxury car segments and now spreded in to the medium and low end cars. The MFD unit in the car look like an extra attachment to the Audio Unit or with the Audio unit itself. In moden cars you can browse through the songs list that is attached in to the MFD (CD,USB,IPOD, Bluetooth phone),even you can dial number the person's phone from the stores contact using the MFD console and adjust your vehicle clock time and lot more.

The voice recognizition module attached to this will have user interaction to get the voice command and it will prompt to the commanded action either to play a particular song,make call to particular person or type a text message as told by the user.

See also