Differential Amplifier Boosting Circuit for Faster Display Data Driving

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Solution Overview

Problem

The response characteristics of display panels are compromised due to low slew rates in differential amplifiers used in data driving devices, leading to inadequate grayscale transitions and reduced image quality.

Innovation Solution

A differential amplifier with a first and second output transistor, a circuit stage generating differential currents, and a boosting circuit stage that adds dynamic currents in response to input voltage variations, enhancing the slew rate without static power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a conventional differential amplifier is used in the data driving device, then the circuit structure remains simple, but the slew rate is low causing poor response characteristics and inadequate grayscale transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslew rateVSAvoidcircuit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The differential amplifier is divided into multiple circuit stages: a first circuit stage with output transistors, a second circuit stage generating differential currents, a third circuit stage controlling gate voltage of the first output transistor, a fourth circuit stage controlling gate voltage of the second output transistor, and a fifth circuit stage adding dynamic currents. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for specific functions, achieving high slew rate while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fifth circuit stage dynamically adjusts the differential currents based on the operating conditions of the amplifier. By adding dynamic currents in response to variations in differential input voltages, the amplifier adapts its current drive capability to match the instantaneous demand, achieving high slew rate without requiring excessive static power consumption or overly complex circuitry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the slew rate is increased to improve response characteristics, then grayscale transitions become adequate, but overshooting and undershooting phenomena may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse characteristicsVSAvoidovershooting and undershooting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The third and fourth circuit stages implement feedback control by monitoring the differential currents and adjusting the gate voltages of the output transistors accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the amplifier responds accurately to input changes without excessive overshoot or undershoot, maintaining reliable grayscale transitions while suppressing harmful oscillations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The amplifier dynamically changes operating parameters including current levels and gate voltages through the fifth circuit stage. By adjusting these parameters in response to input voltage variations, the amplifier optimizes its transient response to achieve high slew rate while minimizing overshooting and undershooting through precise parameter control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4660991A1Differential amplifier and data driver
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 LX SEMICON CO LTD
  • EP4660991A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4660991A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4660991A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An embodiment relates to a data driver for driving pixels of a display panel, and a differential amplifier that can be applied to the data driver. Provided in an embodiment is a technique of improving, through a boosting circuit, a dynamic current to both of a first transistor and a second transistor of the differential amplifier so as to improve the slew rate of the differential amplifier.