Double-Gate TFT Threshold Voltage Compensation Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electroluminescent display technologies face challenges in compensating for the deterioration of oxide TFTs, as their electrical characteristics differ significantly from those of LTPS TFTs, leading to issues in maintaining video data at target levels during slow driving modes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a double-gate TFT configuration, where one gate is connected to a capacitor for threshold voltage compensation, allowing for regular interval adjustments of the TFT's threshold voltage by charging the capacitor and supplying the voltage to the gate node, effectively compensating for the oxide TFT's threshold voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If oxide TFTs are used in pixel circuits for slow driving to reduce leakage, then off-current characteristics are improved, but threshold voltage deterioration occurs over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoff-current characteristicsVSAvoidthreshold voltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by sensing the threshold voltage of the oxide TFT through a sensing circuit and storing the sensed value in a capacitor. This stored threshold voltage is then fed back to compensate for any deterioration, creating a closed-loop system that actively maintains stable threshold voltage while preserving the low off-current characteristics of oxide TFTs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameter (threshold voltage) of the oxide TFT by applying a compensation voltage through the double-gate structure. The sensing circuit measures the actual threshold voltage, and the compensation circuit adjusts the gate voltage to counteract any shifts, thereby stabilizing the TFT's operating characteristics over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If LTPS TFTs are used for fast response, then response characteristics are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to needing both oxide TFT and LTPS TFT

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse characteristicsVSAvoidTFT configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the oxide TFT multi-functional by equipping it with a double-gate structure that enables both switching functionality and threshold voltage compensation. This eliminates the need for separate LTPS TFTs in certain positions, allowing a single TFT type to perform multiple functions and thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining fast response characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the oxide TFT by introducing the double-gate compensation mechanism. This allows the oxide TFT to achieve LTPS-like stability in threshold voltage without requiring LTPS material, thereby simplifying the TFT configuration while maintaining or improving response characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If threshold voltage compensation is implemented, then pixel circuit performance is maintained, but device complexity increases due to additional compensation circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreshold voltage stabilityVSAvoidcompensation circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the compensation function with the existing pixel circuit structure by integrating the sensing circuit and compensation voltage application into the standard TFT gate control pathway. The compensation circuit shares the same physical and electrical infrastructure as the normal driving circuit, eliminating the need for separate dedicated compensation components and thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service compensation where the pixel circuit itself performs the threshold voltage sensing and compensation using its own internal components. The TFT's gate structure is used both for normal operation and for sensing/storing compensation data, allowing the circuit to compensate for its own deterioration without requiring external intervention or complex additional circuitry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3327712B1Display device and method of compensating for deterioration of the same
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3327712B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3327712B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3327712B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A display device comprises a display device in which each subpixel comprises a driving TFT, an organic light-emitting diode, and at least one switching TFT for driving the subpixel. At least one of the driving TFT and the switching TFT is formed as a double-gate TFT having a first gate node and a second gate node, and each subpixel comprises a compensation circuit that senses the threshold voltage of the double-gate TFT and applies the same to the first gate node or second gate node of the double-gate TFT.