Source Driver Circuit Area Reduction via Shared DAC
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing source drivers for flat panel displays face challenges in efficiently designing internal circuits due to the large area occupied by separate analog-digital converters (ADCs) at each channel, which increases the overall size of the integrated circuit.
Innovation Solution
The source driver incorporates a conversion module that shares resources with the source driving module, utilizing a Digital-Analog Converter (DAC) and other components like level shifters and output buffers to convert analog sensing signals into digital sensing data, thereby reducing the area required for the conversion module and optimizing circuit design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate ADCs are implemented at each channel of the source driver, then the sensing function can be performed independently, but the area occupied by the ADCs increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ADC function with the source driving module by sharing the DAC and other circuit components. Instead of implementing separate ADCs at each channel, the conversion module reuses the DAC from the source driving module to perform both source signal generation and sensing signal conversion, thereby reducing the total area while maintaining independent sensing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The DAC and associated circuit components are designed to serve multiple functions: generating source signals for display data and converting sensing signals to digital form. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated ADC circuits at each channel, reducing overall area while preserving sensing reliability
2Reliability
If ADCs are implemented separately from the source driving module, then the sensing and display processing can be independent, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensing conversion function with the source driving module by sharing common circuit components such as the DAC, level shifters, and output buffers. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant separate ADC circuits while maintaining functional independence through time-division multiplexing and switching mechanisms
3Measurement precision
If separate conversion modules are implemented for sensing, then the sensing accuracy can be maintained, but the area of the source driver increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DAC and associated circuitry are designed to maintain high precision for both source signal generation and sensing signal conversion. By using the same high-precision components for both functions, the patent achieves accurate sensing without requiring separate dedicated ADC circuits, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing area
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a source driver that drives a source driver. The source driver is configured in such a manner that a source driving module for driving display data and a conversion module for converting a sensing signal of a display panel into sensing data share components thereof. Thus, the area of the source driver can be reduced.