Source Driver Repair Channels for Vertical Line Defect Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices suffer from vertical line defects due to defects such as short circuits or open circuits in the driving channels of the source driver, which can occur during manufacturing or after shipment, necessitating a repair mechanism to prevent or reduce the impact of these defects.
Innovation Solution
A source driver with a repair channel and a switching circuit that can change signal transmission paths to replace defective driving channels, using adjacent channels and a repair channel to generate and output pixel signals, thereby repairing the defective channels before the output stage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a repair channel is added to replace defective driving channels, then the reliability of the source driver is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The repair channel is designed with the same functional structure as normal driving channels (containing first and second circuits), allowing it to perform both repair operations and normal driving functions. This multi-functionality enables the repair channel to replace defective channels while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A switching circuit is introduced as an intermediary component to control signal transmission paths between normal driving channels and the repair channel. This mediator enables seamless replacement of defective channels by redirecting signals through the repair channel without requiring structural modifications to the defective channels themselves.
2Ease of repair
If a switching circuit is used to change signal transmission paths for repair, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching circuit dynamically changes signal transmission paths based on the operational status of driving channels. By making the signal routing adjustable rather than fixed, the system can adapt to defects in different channels and redirect signals through functional channels, simplifying the repair process.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair channel is pre-configured with the necessary circuit structures (first and second circuits) before any defect occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a defect is detected, the repair channel is already ready to assume the function of the defective channel, reducing repair time and complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple driving channels are designed with first and second circuits, then the productivity of signal generation is improved, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
When a driving channel becomes defective, its function is discarded and recovered by the repair channel instead of manufacturing a completely new source driver. This approach recovers the functionality of defective channels through signal redirection, reducing the need for additional semiconductor materials and complex manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A source driver includes a plurality of driving channels configured to generate a plurality of pixel signals respectively provided to a plurality of source lines of a display panel and, each of the plurality of driving channels including a first circuit and a second circuit, the first circuit being configured to generate a first signal based on received pixel data, and the second circuit being configured to generate a pixel signal, based on the first signal, a repair channel including the first circuit and the second circuit, and a switching circuit configured to change a plurality of signal transmission paths of the plurality of driving channels and an internal signal transmission path of the repair channel so as to repair the first circuit of a defected driving channel in which a defect has occurred among the plurality of driving channels by using the first circuit of the repair channel.