Source Drive IC Group Segmentation for LCD Signal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid crystal display systems require a large number of signal transfer lines between the timing controller and source drive ICs, making it difficult to reduce the number of lines and optimize the layout on printed circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a point-to-point data bus connection with N pairs of data bus lines between the timing controller and source drive IC groups, using feedback lock signals and a comparator to manage signal transfer, allowing for reduced line requirements and efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a multi-drop manner of commonly applying clock and digital video data to source drive ICs is used, then data transfer capability is maintained, but the number of data transfer lines increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The source drive ICs are divided into multiple groups (first source drive IC group and second source drive IC group), with each group having dedicated data transfer lines from the timing controller. This segmentation allows parallel data transfer to multiple groups simultaneously, maintaining overall data transfer capability while reducing the total number of lines needed compared to a multi-drop configuration where each IC would require individual line connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional multi-drop bus structure to a two-dimensional hierarchical structure where data is first transferred in parallel to multiple IC groups, and then sequentially distributed within each group. This dimensional change enables more efficient use of transfer lines by utilizing both parallel and sequential transmission modes.
2Device complexity
If cascade-connected source drive ICs sequentially sample digital video data, then data is processed in order, but many control lines and clock transfer lines are necessary
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple source drive ICs within each group share common data transfer lines from the timing controller, merging the data path at the group level. This reduces the number of external control lines needed while maintaining the ability of individual ICs to process data sequentially through their internal cascade connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feedback lock signals as intermediary control mechanisms that allow the timing controller to monitor and coordinate the operation of multiple source drive IC groups without requiring separate control lines for each IC. The lock signals act as mediators that synchronize the sequential processing across groups while reducing overall control line requirements.
3Reliability
If mini LVDS interface transfers digital video data and clock as differential signal pairs, then signal integrity is improved, but at least 14 data transfer lines are necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The data transfer system is segmented into multiple independent groups, each using its own pair of differential signal lines. This segmentation allows the use of fewer LVDS line pairs overall compared to a single multi-drop bus, while maintaining signal integrity through dedicated differential paths for each group.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display and a method of driving the same are provided. The liquid crystal display includes a first source drive IC group outputting a first feedback lock signal in response to one of a power voltage input through a first lock signal input terminal and a lock signal from the timing controller, a second source drive IC group outputting a second feedback lock signal in response to one of the power voltage input through a second lock signal input terminal, the lock signal from the timing controller, and a lock signal transferred from the first source drive IC group, and a comparator that compares the first feedback lock signal with the second feedback lock signal and supplies a comparison result to the timing controller.