Source Signal Inverter Using Low-Voltage Stages for Full-Range Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driving circuits for display devices require transistors operating in a full voltage range to generate control signals, which increases area and process costs, necessitating a configuration that uses transistors in a low voltage range for both output buffers and inverters to minimize these costs.

Innovation Solution

A source signal output circuit with an inverter configured using first and second inverting units and an output unit, operating in a low voltage range, to generate control signals with a full range by selecting between inverting signals that span from the driving voltage to the intermediate voltage and from the intermediate voltage to the ground voltage, allowing the multiplexer to output source signals across the full range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the inverter is configured using transistors operating in a full voltage range to generate control signals, then the control signal can cover the full range, but the area and process cost of the driving circuit increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signal voltage rangeVSAvoiddriving circuit area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter is divided into a first inverting unit and a second inverting unit, each handling a specific voltage range (first voltage to intermediate voltage, and intermediate voltage to second voltage respectively). This segmentation allows each unit to use transistors optimized for lower voltage ranges while collectively covering the full voltage range through the output unit's selection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the inverter (first and second inverting units) are designed with different voltage range characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first inverting unit handles the lower voltage portion while the second handles the higher voltage portion, allowing each local component to be optimized for its specific voltage range rather than requiring all components to handle the full range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the inverter is configured using transistors operating in a full voltage range to generate control signals, then the control signal can cover the full range, but the process cost of the driving circuit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signal voltage rangeVSAvoidprocess cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter is divided into a first inverting unit and a second inverting unit, each handling a specific voltage range (first voltage to intermediate voltage, and intermediate voltage to second voltage respectively). This segmentation allows each unit to use transistors optimized for lower voltage ranges while collectively covering the full voltage range through the output unit's selection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the inverter (first and second inverting units) are designed with different voltage range characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first inverting unit handles the lower voltage portion while the second handles the higher voltage portion, allowing each local component to be optimized for its specific voltage range rather than requiring all components to handle the full range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If transistors operating in a low voltage range are used to reduce area and process cost, then the area and cost decrease, but the ability to generate control signals with full range is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving circuit areaVSAvoidcontrol signal voltage range
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter is divided into a first inverting unit and a second inverting unit, each handling a specific voltage range (first voltage to intermediate voltage, and intermediate voltage to second voltage respectively). This segmentation allows each unit to use transistors optimized for lower voltage ranges while collectively covering the full voltage range through the output unit's selection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate voltage is introduced as a mediator between the first and second voltages. The first inverting unit generates signals from the first voltage to the intermediate voltage, and the second inverting unit generates signals from the intermediate voltage to the second voltage. This intermediate voltage level acts as a bridge, enabling the system to achieve full voltage range coverage through combination of two lower-voltage-stage units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If transistors operating in a low voltage range are used to reduce area and process cost, then the area and cost decrease, but the ability to generate control signals with full range is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess costVSAvoidcontrol signal voltage range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inverter is divided into a first inverting unit and a second inverting unit, each handling a specific voltage range (first voltage to intermediate voltage, and intermediate voltage to second voltage respectively). This segmentation allows each unit to use transistors optimized for lower voltage ranges while collectively covering the full voltage range through the output unit's selection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the inverter (first and second inverting units) are designed with different voltage range characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first inverting unit handles the lower voltage portion while the second handles the higher voltage portion, allowing each local component to be optimized for its specific voltage range rather than requiring all components to handle the full range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 3:

An intermediate voltage is introduced as a mediator between the first and second voltages. The first inverting unit generates signals from the first voltage to the intermediate voltage, and the second inverting unit generates signals from the intermediate voltage to the second voltage. This intermediate voltage level acts as a bridge, enabling the system to achieve full voltage range coverage through combination of two lower-voltage-stage units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11368152B2Source signal output circuit and inverter thereof
Publication Date: 2022.06.21 SILICON WORKS CO LTD
  • US11368152B2 patent drawing
  • US11368152B2 patent drawing
  • US11368152B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a source signal output circuit and an inverter thereof. The inverter is configured to provide a multiplexer with a control signal having a full range for selecting a source signal and to output the control signal having the full range by using elements operating in a low voltage range. Therefore, the present disclosure has an advantage in that it can fabricate a driving circuit having a small area at a low process cost.