DAC Switch Block Layout for High-Voltage OLED Data Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage transistors used in data drivers for OLED TVs result in increased chip size and power consumption due to the need for transistors to endure the same breakdown voltage, leading to larger digital-to-analog converters and display apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A digital-to-analog converter design that divides voltage groups with transistors of varying sizes and breakdown voltages in switch blocks, and connection transistors with different channel widths, allowing for efficient voltage distribution and reduced chip size and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-voltage transistors are used as switches for the DAC in data drivers used for OLED TVs, then the breakdown voltage capability is improved, but the area of the DAC and chip size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage output range is divided into multiple voltage groups, with each switch block handling a specific voltage group. This segmentation allows transistors in each block to be sized according to the specific voltage requirements of that block, rather than requiring all transistors to be sized for the maximum voltage, thus reducing overall chip area while maintaining breakdown voltage capability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different transistors are assigned different sizes and breakdown voltage ratings based on their specific operational requirements. Transistors handling higher voltages are designed with higher breakdown voltage capability, while transistors handling lower voltages use smaller sizes. This local optimization reduces the total chip area compared to using uniformly sized high-voltage transistors throughout.
2Reliability
If high-voltage transistors are used as switches for the DAC in data drivers used for OLED TVs, then the breakdown voltage capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the voltage handling into multiple switch blocks with different voltage groups, the patent enables smaller transistors to handle lower voltage segments, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to using large high-voltage transistors for all voltage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
Each switch block is optimized with transistors sized appropriately for its voltage group, minimizing power consumption in each block. Lower voltage blocks use smaller transistors with lower power consumption, while only the necessary transistors in higher voltage blocks are sized for high-voltage operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If transistors with the same size are used in switch blocks, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to optimize for different voltage groups is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the DAC into multiple switch blocks, each handling specific voltage groups. This segmentation enables different transistor sizes to be used in different blocks, optimizing each block for its voltage range while maintaining a systematic structure that is still relatively easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different transistor sizes in different switch blocks based on voltage requirements. This provides adaptability for optimizing each voltage group while the overall segmented structure maintains manufacturing feasibility through systematic design.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage generator configured to generate a plurality of voltage groups, each of the plurality of voltage groups including a plurality of reference voltages, and a decoder having an output node configured to output one of the plurality of reference voltages is disclosed. The decoder includes switch blocks that correspond to the plurality of voltage groups. Each of the switch blocks includes transistors that are turned on or off by or in response to a control signal, and each transistor in one of the switch blocks has a channel width different from a channel width of each transistor in another one of the switch blocks.