Source Drive IC Power Gating in Low-Power Display Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly in low-power transmission driving (LPTD) modes, where source drive integrated circuits (ICs) continue to consume power even when displaying the same image.
Innovation Solution
A display device design that includes a timing controller with a general purpose input-output (GPIO) pin connected to digital block power down enable (DBDEN) pins in source drive ICs, allowing selective disablement of these ICs through control packets, thereby reducing power consumption by disabling digital circuits when pixel rows display the same grayscale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If source drive ICs continue to operate to maintain display functionality, then image display functionality is preserved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The source drive ICs are designed to dynamically switch between active and disabled states based on whether pixel rows display the same grayscale. When consecutive pixel rows have identical grayscale values, the IC is disabled to save power; when they differ, the IC activates to maintain display functionality. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction between power consumption and display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects when pixel rows display the same grayscale and autonomously disables the source drive ICs without requiring external intervention. The timing controller monitors pixel row data and controls the DBDEN signal accordingly, allowing the system to self-regulate power consumption while maintaining display functionality when needed.
2Ease of operation
If multiple control signals are transmitted to disable source drive ICs, then precise control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single DBDEN control signal transmitted through the GPIO pin. The timing controller uses this single signal to enable or disable multiple source drive ICs simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate control wires for each IC. This merging approach maintains precise control while significantly reducing wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The GPIO pin serving as the DBDEN control signal line performs multiple functions: it transmits control signals to multiple source drive ICs, enables power saving mode when needed, and maintains compatibility with existing display interfaces. This multi-functional design reduces the need for additional dedicated control pins while achieving precise control over source drive IC operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device A display device includes a display panel including a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality of pixel columns arranged to display an image; a data driver comprising a plurality of source drive integrated circuits (ICs) respectively connected to one or more pixel columns among the plurality of pixel columns and configured to supply a data signal to the plurality of pixel rows; and a timing controller configured to supply image data and a data control signal to the data driver, wherein the timing controller includes a general purpose input-output (GPIO) pin connected to digital block power down enable (DBDEN) pins provided in each of the plurality of source drive ICs in a point-to-multipoint way and outputs a DBDEN signal disabling to at least some of the plurality of source drive ICs.