LED Driver Circuit with Segmented Analog and Digital Power Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional LED driver circuits face inefficiencies in power supply, increased heat dissipation, and manufacturing costs due to discrete component designs, which complicate high-resolution display implementations with noise and parasitic capacitance issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a driver circuit with an array of LEDs in a common cathode configuration, using separate analog and digital power modules with internal and external power sources to optimize voltage supply for each color LED, and integrating a digital controller for precise signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the same supply voltage is used for red, green, and blue LEDs in a common anode configuration, then the circuit design is simplified, but significant energy is lost as heat on the bias resistor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit design complexityVSAvoidenergy loss on bias resistor
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply system by providing separate voltage sources for different LED colors. Specifically, it uses a first voltage source for red LEDs and a second voltage source for green and blue LEDs, eliminating the need for bias resistors and reducing energy loss while maintaining circuit simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring the power supply characteristics to the specific requirements of each LED color. Different voltage sources are assigned to different color groups based on their forward voltage characteristics, optimizing energy efficiency for each local segment of the LED array.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If discrete components are mounted on a PCB for LED driver circuits, then the design is easier to implement, but the number of PCB layers increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign implementation easeVSAvoidnumber of PCB layers
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple discrete components (constant current drivers, decoders, power MOSFETs, and bias resistors) into a single integrated LED driver chip. This consolidation reduces the PCB layer count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the functional capabilities needed for high-resolution displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated LED driver chip performs multiple functions that were previously handled by separate discrete components, including constant current driving, decoding, switching control, and voltage regulation. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces manufacturing complexity.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If discrete components are used in LED driver circuits, then individual component selection is easier, but noise and parasitic capacitance issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent selection easeVSAvoidnoise and parasitic capacitance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating multiple components into a single chip, the patent minimizes the physical distance between related circuit elements, thereby reducing parasitic capacitance and noise coupling that occur with discrete component layouts. The compact integrated structure inherently reduces harmful electromagnetic interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If the size of pixel pitch is reduced to increase display resolution, then display quality improves, but the number of PCB layers and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoidPCB layer count
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple driver functions into a single compact chip, enabling high-resolution displays with small pixel pitches without requiring increased PCB layer counts. This integration allows dense pixel arrangements while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9336704B2Apparatus and method for powering LED driver
Publication Date: 2016.05.10 SCT

AI summary

A driver circuit for an LED display panel has a first constant current driver to drive green LEDs, a second constant current driver to drive blue LEDs, and a third constant current driver to drive red LEDs. The driver circuit also has an analog power module electrically coupled to the first, the second, and the third constant current drivers. The analog power module has two or more power sources. The driver circuit further includes a digital controller for transmitting digital control signals to the analog driver. The digital controller is powered by a digital power module.