TFT-LCD Source Driver Asynchronous Odd-Even Column Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-size TFT-LCDs face insufficient loading capacity and unfavorable display effects like artifacts and crosstalk due to significant differences in display data between adjacent rows, leading to unstable VCOM voltage and inefficient pixel charging.

Innovation Solution

A source driver with a data register, data latch, digital-to-analog converter, and output buffer, along with a data difference determination circuit, uses asynchronous loading pulses to manage gray-scale voltage output, ensuring odd and even columns are charged separately to prevent simultaneous charging and alleviate overloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If simultaneous charging of all pixel units in a row is implemented, then display refresh speed is improved, but source driver loading capacity becomes insufficient and VCOM voltage becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay refresh speedVSAvoidVCOM voltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel units in a row are segmented into odd and even columns, which are charged in separate time periods. This segmentation divides the simultaneous charging task into two sequential phases, reducing the instantaneous loading capacity requirement of the source driver and preventing VCOM voltage instability while maintaining display refresh speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The charging process is implemented as periodic action with two distinct time periods: a first time period for charging odd column pixel units and a second time period for charging even column pixel units. This periodic alternation ensures that the source driver operates within its loading capacity while achieving complete row refresh.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If simultaneous charging of all pixel units in a row is implemented, then display refresh speed is improved, but insufficient loading capacity of source driver occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay refresh speedVSAvoidsource driver loading capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel units in a row are segmented into odd and even columns, which are charged in separate time periods. This segmentation divides the simultaneous charging task into two sequential phases, reducing the instantaneous loading capacity requirement of the source driver and preventing VCOM voltage instability while maintaining display refresh speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The charging process is implemented as periodic action with two distinct time periods: a first time period for charging odd column pixel units and a second time period for charging even column pixel units. This periodic alternation ensures that the source driver operates within its loading capacity while achieving complete row refresh.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If large difference in gray-scale voltages between adjacent rows occurs, then display data flexibility is improved, but artifact and crosstalk occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay data flexibilityVSAvoidartifact and crosstalk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging pixel units in odd and even columns sequentially before completing the full row refresh. This preliminary staged charging approach allows the source driver to manage large gray-scale voltage differences between adjacent rows more effectively, preventing sudden voltage changes that cause artifacts and crosstalk while maintaining display data flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3312828B1Source driver, drive circuit and drive method for TFT-lcd
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3312828B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3312828B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3312828B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention provides a source driver for use in a TFT-LCD, comprising: a data register, a data latch, a digital-to-analog converter and an output buffer. A first loading pulse is provided to the output buffer, such that the output buffer starts to output the gray-scale voltages of odd output ends to corresponding TFT sources in response to a second edge of the first loading pulse from the second level to the first level, which second edge immediately follows the first edge, and a second loading pulse is provided to the output buffer, such that such that the output buffer starts to output the gray-scale voltages of even output ends to corresponding TFT sources in response to a second edge of the second loading pulse from the second level to the first level, which second edge immediately follows the first edge. At least the second edge of the first loading pulse is not synchronous with the second edge of the second loading pulse. A driving circuit and a driving method are further provided. The source driver, the driving circuit and the driving method can alleviate adverse consequences resulting from too large difference between display data of two adjacent rows.