OLED Driver Sensing Circuit Layout for Uniform Sample-and-Hold

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Solution Overview

Problem

The uniformity of OLED displays is compromised due to mismatches in device parameters and luminous efficiency across subpixels, exacerbated by temperature and process variations, which affect the performance of sensing circuits in OLED drivers.

Innovation Solution

A novel sensing circuit structure incorporating a sample and hold circuit with a gain amplifier, designed to reduce the influence of parasitic capacitance by simplifying the sample and hold circuit configuration, thereby minimizing the impact of temperature and process variations on sensing operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional sample and hold circuit is used in the sensing circuit, then the circuit can perform sensing operations, but the parasitic capacitance in the circuit causes non-uniformity in sensing operations across different channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing operation uniformityVSAvoidparasitic capacitance influence
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the capacitance parameters by introducing a first capacitor with a larger capacitance value than the inherent parasitic capacitance in the sample and hold circuit. This parameter change dominates the total capacitance, making the sensing operation uniform across different channels by overcoming the non-uniform parasitic capacitance effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and separates the capacitance function into a dedicated first capacitor that is specifically designed to compensate for parasitic capacitance. By taking out the capacitance element as a separate component with controlled parameters, the circuit can independently manage and balance the total capacitance across channels, reducing the harmful effects of parasitic capacitance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sensing circuit is designed to operate under different temperatures and environments, then the circuit must maintain performance across variations, but temperature and process variations cause mismatches in device parameters affecting uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptationVSAvoidsensing operation uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by selecting capacitor values that are sufficiently large to dominate over the parasitic capacitance, which varies with temperature and process. This ensures that the total capacitance remains relatively stable and uniform across different environmental conditions, maintaining sensing operation uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates equipotentiality in terms of capacitance by ensuring that each channel has a first capacitor that compensates for its parasitic capacitance, making the total capacitance equal across all channels. This equipotential approach to capacitance balancing ensures uniform sensing operations despite temperature and process variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentUS11276346B2Simplified sensing circuit and sample and hold circuit for improving uniformity in OLED driver
Publication Date: 2022.03.15 NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP
  • US11276346B2 patent drawing
  • US11276346B2 patent drawing
  • US11276346B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A sensing circuit for an organic light-emitting diode driver includes a sample and hold circuit and a gain amplifier. The sample and hold circuit is configured to sample a sensing signal received via an input terminal. The gain amplifier is coupled to the sample and hold circuit. The sample and hold circuit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch. The first capacitor is coupled between the input terminal and the gain amplifier. The second capacitor is coupled between a reference terminal and the gain amplifier. The first switch is connected between the first capacitor and the input terminal. The second switch is connected between the second capacitor and the reference terminal. The third switch is connected between the first capacitor and the gain amplifier. The fourth switch is connected between the second capacitor and the gain amplifier.