Timing Controller Physical Layer Configuration for Source Driver Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In display apparatuses, the existing data transmission methods between the timing controller (TCON) and the source driver (SD) chip lack configuration of physical layer parameters before sending the Link Stable Pattern (LSP) and display data, leading to unstable reception performance and high error rates, affecting image display quality.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves sending clock calibration data to the SD chip, followed by a first identification code and an initialization control instruction over a data channel, which includes configuration information for the SD chip to optimize its physical layer parameters, such as drive current, equalizer gain, and clock data recovery loop bandwidth, ensuring stable data reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If physical layer parameter configuration is skipped, then data transmission process is simplified, but receiving performance becomes unstable and error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting physical layer parameter configuration information before the actual data transmission begins. The timing controller sends configuration instructions to the source driver chip prior to LSP and display data transmission, ensuring the receiver is properly prepared and configured before receiving critical data, thereby stabilizing receiving performance and reducing error rates.
2Reliability
If physical layer parameter configuration is added, then receiving performance is improved, but data transmission process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data transmission process into distinct phases: clock calibration phase, physical layer parameter configuration phase, and data transmission phase. This segmentation allows each phase to be handled independently with specific configuration information, making the complex transmission process more manageable and organized while improving receiving performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by preparing and transmitting all necessary physical layer parameter configuration information before the actual data transmission starts. This ensures the source driver chip is fully configured and ready to receive data accurately, improving receiving performance without interfering with the main data transmission flow.
3Measurement precision
If configuration information is transmitted before data, then data reception accuracy is improved, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting configuration information in advance before data transmission begins. This ensures the receiving device is properly configured and ready to accurately receive data, improving data reception accuracy. While this does increase transmission time, it ensures data integrity and reduces retransmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the timing controller monitors the transmission process and adjusts configuration based on received status information. This feedback loop ensures that configuration information is transmitted at the optimal time and that any issues are quickly identified and corrected, improving overall transmission efficiency and accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a data transmission method in a timing controller. The data transmission method includes sending clock calibration data to a source driver chip, wherein the clock calibration data instructs the source driver chip to perform a clock calibration; successively sending, in response to completing the clock calibration by the source driver chip, a first identification code and an initialization control instruction to the source driver chip over a data channel, wherein the first identification code indicates a start of transmission of the initialization control instruction, and the initialization control instruction comprises configuration information, the configuration information instructing the source driver chip to perform a configuration on a physical layer parameter; and successively sending a link stable pattern and display data to the source driver chip.