Source Driver Floating Channel Reference Voltage Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional source drivers for display panels face issues with floating channels under no-load conditions, leading to mismatched channel operations and additional calculation processes for distinguishing between normal and floating channel data, which affects data accuracy and processing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A source driver design that includes a sampling circuit to sample signals from both normal and floating channels, with a first reference voltage provided to the floating channel during pixel characteristic sensing, and a multiplexer to output these signals to an analog-to-digital converter in a preset sequence, allowing for the separation of digital data from normal and floating channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a floating channel is present under no-load conditions, then the source driver can handle non-integer channel configurations, but the floating channel causes mismatch between adjacent normal channels and affects data accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A reference voltage is introduced as an intermediary element to counterbalance the unknown input voltage that appears on the floating channel during sensing operations. The reference voltage acts as a mediator that neutralizes the harmful effect of the floating channel's unknown input, preventing it from affecting adjacent normal channels while allowing the floating channel to remain in service for non-integer channel configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensing circuit senses unknown input through the floating channel, then the source driver can operate with non-integer channels, but the timing controller requires separate calculation processes to distinguish between normal and floating channel output codes
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful sensing operation is extracted and isolated from the floating channel by applying reference voltage specifically to the floating channel during sensing. This separation allows the timing controller to easily identify and exclude floating channel data from processing, as the reference voltage application creates a distinguishable pattern that simplifies data differentiation without requiring complex separate calculation processes
3Reliability
If the floating channel operates during sensing, then the source driver maintains all channel connections, but the floating channel's unknown input affects adjacent normal channel data
Solution Approach 1:
The reference voltage is applied in advance to the floating channel before the sensing operation begins. This preliminary action counteracts the potential harmful effect of the unknown input voltage that would otherwise be sensed during the sensing operation, preventing the floating channel from affecting adjacent normal channels while maintaining operational stability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a source driver capable of accurately sensing characteristics of a display panel by minimizing the influence of a floating channel. The source driver may include normal channels connected to pixels of a display panel, a floating channel under no-load; and a sampling circuit configured to sample signals of the normal channels and the floating channel. The source driver may provide a first reference voltage to the floating channel in a first period in which characteristics of the pixels are sensed.