Abstract: A method of driving an active matrix cholesteric liquid crystal display that includes a matrix of data and select lines and an array of pixels connected to the data and select lines through active switching elements, a pixel being capable of producing two or more gray levels includes providing a select voltage and a plurality of data voltages, and during a pixel writing cycle, applying the select voltage and the data voltages to the select and data lines of the display to produce only three pixel voltage levels 0, +U and ?U, having respective duty cycles and controlling the duty cycles of the pixel voltage levels to determine the gray levels of the pixels, and wherein the average voltage applied to a pixel during the pixel writing cycle is zero.