A true 10-bit data driver LSI for HDTV TFT-LCDs

Abstract

We present our recent results of the 10-bit data driver LSI for 42-inch diagonal TFT-LCD TV with full HD format. To develop data driver LSIs for a true 10-bit TFT-LCD TV with full HD (1920 x 1080) format, small chip area, low power consumption, and output uniformity between channels are key problems that must be solved. By applying a two-stage DAC which combines 8-bit resistor-string DAC and 2-bit binary weighted capacitor DAC, the area increase is limited to only 30% compared to the area of 8-bit resistor-string DAC. The output deviation between channels is successfully limited within 5 mV and the driver LSI with 414 outputs consumes the maximum total current of 16 mA when driving 42-inch HDTV panel. We confirmed that the picture with 10-bit shades of gray is much more natural than that with 8-bit shades of gray.