This application claims priority to Taiwanese Application No. 099102798, filed Feb. 1, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a voltage output circuit, more particularly to a dual voltage output circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to
The input, intermediate, and output stages 111, 112, 113 of each of the first and second differential driving units 11 are adapted to receive first and second operational voltages VA1, VA2, and cooperate to generate a respective one of first and second output voltages Vy1, Vy2 from a respective one of first and second pairs of input voltages (Vx1+, Vx1−), (Vx2+, Vx2−). It is to be noted that each of the first and second differential driving units 11 operates independently of the other.
The first and second differential driving units 11 are coupled to the LCD 13 via a switching circuit 14. The switching circuit 14 receives the first and second output voltages Vy1, Vy2 from the first and second differential driving units 11, and outputs the first and second output voltages Vy1, Vy2 to the LCD 13 in an alternating manner so as to prevent liquid crystals of the LCD 13 from being damaged by the ion effect.
Furthermore, referring to
However, a major drawback of the configuration of the aforesaid dual voltage output circuit is that changes in the first and second pairs of input voltages (Vx1+, Vx1−), (Vx2+, Vx2−) result in changes of the first and second output voltages Vy1, Vy2. Subsequently, upon completion of a successive switching of the first and second output voltages Vy1, Vy2 by the switching circuit 14, more current is drawn from sources of the first and second operational voltages VA1, VA2 due to the difference in numbers of electric charges at the first and second output stages 113.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a dual voltage output circuit suitable for use as an output buffer of a pixel circuit controller that is for application to a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), and that is capable of redistributing electric charges at output stages thereof to reduce power consumption.
Accordingly, a dual voltage output circuit of the present invention includes first and second differential driving units.
The first differential driving unit includes a first input stage, a first intermediate stage, and a first output stage. The first input stage is adapted for receiving a pair of first input voltages, and is operable to generate first and second pairs of first intermediate voltages from the first input voltages.
The first intermediate stage is coupled electrically to the first input stage for receiving the first and second pairs of first intermediate voltages therefrom, and is operable to generate a pair of first control voltages from the first and second pairs of first intermediate voltages. The first intermediate stage has a first node to receive a first voltage level, and a second node to receive a second voltage level.
The first output stage is coupled electrically to the first intermediate stage for receiving the pair of first control voltages therefrom, and is operable to generate a first output voltage from the pair of first control voltages. The first output stage is coupled electrically to the first node of the first intermediate stage, and has a first intermediate voltage node to receive a first intermediate voltage level that is between the first and second voltage levels.
The second differential driving unit includes a second input stage, a second intermediate stage, and a second output stage. The second input stage is adapted for receiving a pair of second input voltages, and is operable to generate first and second pairs of second intermediate voltages from the second input voltages.
The second intermediate stage is coupled electrically to the second input stage for receiving the first and second pairs of second intermediate voltages therefrom, and is operable to generate a pair of second control voltages from the first and second pairs of second intermediate voltages. The second intermediate stage has a third node to receive the first voltage level, and a fourth node to receive the second voltage level.
The second output stage is coupled electrically to the second intermediate stage for receiving the pair of second control voltages therefrom, and is operable to generate a second output voltage from the pair of second control voltages. The second output stage is coupled electrically to the fourth node of the second intermediate stage, and has a second intermediate voltage node to receive a second intermediate voltage level that is between the first and second voltage levels.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
a is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a first input stage of the first differential driving unit of the first preferred embodiment of the dual voltage output circuit;
b is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a second input stage of the second differential driving unit of the first preferred embodiment of the dual voltage output circuit;
a is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a first input stage of the first differential driving unit of the second preferred embodiment of the dual voltage output circuit;
b is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a second input stage of the second differential driving unit of the second preferred embodiment of the dual voltage output circuit;
Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
Throughout the specification, the term “transistor” means one of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) or a bi-polar junction transistor (BJT), which has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal.
Referring to
Referring to
The first intermediate stage 22 includes first and second active loads 221, 223, and a floating current module 225. The first active load 221 is coupled electrically to the first input stage 21 for receiving the first pair of first intermediate voltages (Vm11+, Vm11−) therefrom, and has a first node to receive a first voltage level. The first active load 221 includes four transistors (MP2), (MP3), (MP4), (MP5), and receives a bias voltage (VB1) from a bias voltage 8 (see
The floating current module 225 has first and second load connection nodes that are coupled electrically and respectively to the first and second active loads 221, 223. Each of a pair of first control voltages (Vc1+, Vc1−) is outputted at a corresponding one of the first and second load connection nodes of the floating current module 225.
The second active load 223 is coupled electrically to the first input stage 21 for receiving the second pair of first intermediate voltages (Vm12+, Vm12−) therefrom, and has a second node to receive a second voltage level. The second active load 223 includes four transistors (MN2), (MN3), (MN4), (MN5), and receives a bias voltage (VB2) from the bias voltage unit 8. In the present embodiment, the second node of the second active load 223 is electrically grounded (GNDA). The first active 321 includes four transistors (MP2), (MP3), (MP4), (MP5), and receives the bias voltage (VB1).
The second intermediate stage 32 includes first and second active loads 321, 323, and a floating current module 325. The first active load 321 is coupled electrically to the second input stage 31 for receiving the first pair of second intermediate voltages (Vm21+, Vm21−) therefrom, and has a third node to receive the first voltage level (VDDA). The second active load 323 includes four transistors (MN2), (MN3), (MN4), (MN5), and receives the bias voltage (VB2).
The floating current module 325 has third and fourth load connection nodes that are coupled electrically and respectively to the first and second active loads 321, 323. Each of a pair of second control voltages (Vc2+, Vc2−) is outputted at a corresponding one of the third and fourth load connection nodes of the floating current module 325.
The second active load 323 is coupled electrically to the second input stage 31 for receiving the second pair of second intermediate voltages (Vm22+, Vm22−) therefrom, and has a fourth node to receive the second voltage level voltage (GNDA).
Each of the first and second output stages 23, 33 includes a first n-type transistor (MN1) and a first p-type transistor (MP1).
The control terminal of each of the first p-type transistor (MP1) and the first n-type transistor (MN1) of the first output stage 23 is coupled to the first intermediate stage 22 for receiving a respective one of the pair of first control voltages (Vc1+, Vc1−). The first terminals of the first n-type transistor (MN1) and the first p-type transistor (MP1) of the first output stage 23 are coupled electrically to each other, and a first output voltage (Vout1) is outputted thereat.
The second terminal of the first p-type transistor (MN1) of the first output stage 23 is coupled electrically to the first node of the first active load 221 of the first intermediate stage 22. The second terminal of the first n-type transistor (MP1) of the first output stage 23 is coupled electrically to a first intermediate voltage node to receive a first intermediate voltage level (VM1) that is between the first and second voltage levels (i.e., between the operational voltage (VDDA) and the ground voltage (GNDA)).
The control terminal of each of the first p-type transistor (MP1) and the first n-type transistor (MN1) of the second output stage 33 is coupled to the second intermediate stage 32 for receiving a respective one of the pair of second control voltages (Vc2+, Vc2−). The first terminals of the first n-type transistor (MN1) and the first p-type transistor (MP1) of the second output stage 33 are coupled electrically to each other, and a second output voltage (Vout2) is outputted thereat.
The second terminal of the first n-type transistor (MP1) of the second output stage 33 is coupled electrically to the fourth node of the second active load 323 of the second intermediate stage 32. The second terminal of the first p-type transistor (MN1) of the second output stage 33 is coupled electrically to a second intermediate voltage node to receive a second intermediate voltage level (VM2) that is between the first and second voltage levels (i.e., between the operational voltage (VDDA) and the ground (GNDA)).
In the present embodiment, the floating current module 225 of the first intermediate stage 22 includes a second n-type transistor (MN6) and a second p-type transistor (MP6). The first terminal of the second n-type transistor (MN6) and the second terminal of the second p-type transistor (MP6) of the floating current module 225 are coupled electrically to the first load connection node of the floating current module 225. The second terminal of the second n-type transistor (MN6) and the first terminal of the second p-type transistor (MP6) of the floating current module 225 are coupled electrically to the second load connection node of the floating current module 225. The control terminal of each of the second n-type transistor (MN6) and the second p-type transistor (MP6) of the floating current module 225 is adapted to receive a respective one of first and second bias voltages (VBN5), (VBP5).
Furthermore, the floating current module 325 of the second intermediate stage 32 includes a second n-type transistor (MN6) and a second p-type transistor (MP6). The first terminal of the second n-type transistor (MN6) and the second terminal of the second p-type transistor (MP6) of the floating current module 325 are coupled electrically to the third load connection node of the floating current module 325. The second terminal of the second n-type transistor (MN6) and the first terminal of the second p-type transistor (MP6) of the floating current module 325 are coupled electrically to the fourth load connection node of the floating current module 325. The control terminal of each of the second n-type transistor (MN6) and the second p-type transistor (MP6) of the floating current module 325 is adapted to receive a respective one of third and fourth bias voltages (VBN6), (VBP6).
Referring to
The second terminal of the second n-type bias-voltage transistor (MBN2) is coupled electrically to the first intermediate voltage node to receive the first intermediate voltage level (VM1). The first terminal and the control terminal of the second n-type bias-voltage transistor (MBN2) are coupled electrically to the bias voltage module 41 for receiving the first bias voltage (VBN5) therefrom, and are further coupled electrically to the floating current module 225 of the first intermediate stage 22 for providing the first bias voltage (VBN5) thereto so as to drive operation of the floating current module 225.
The second terminal of the first p-type bias-voltage transistor (MBP1) is coupled electrically to the fifth node of the bias voltage module 41. The first terminal and the control terminal of the first p-type bias-voltage transistor (MBP1) are coupled electrically to the bias voltage module 41 for receiving the second bias voltage (VBP5) therefrom, and are further coupled electrically to the floating current module 225 of the first intermediate stage 22 for providing the second bias voltage (VBP5) thereto so as to drive operation of the floating current module 225.
The second terminal of the first n-type bias-voltage transistor (MBN1) is coupled electrically to the sixth node of the bias voltage module 41. The first terminal and the control terminal of the second n-type bias-voltage transistor (MBN1) are coupled electrically to the bias voltage module 41 for receiving the third bias voltage (VBN6) therefrom, and are further coupled electrically to the floating current module 325 of the second intermediate stage 32 for providing the third bias voltage (VBN6) thereto so as to drive operation of the floating current module 325.
The second terminal of the second p-type bias-voltage transistor (MBP2) is coupled electrically to the second intermediate voltage node to receive the second intermediate voltage level (VM2). The first terminal and the control terminal of the second p-type bias-voltage transistor (MBP2) are coupled electrically to the bias voltage module 41 for receiving the fourth bias voltage (VBP6) therefrom, and are further coupled electrically to the floating current module 325 of the second intermediate stage 32 for providing the fourth bias voltage (VBP6) thereto so as to drive operation of the floating current module 325.
It is to be noted that the first and second intermediate voltage levels (VM1), (VM2) at the first and second intermediate voltage nodes can be the same or different voltage levels between the first and second voltage levels (VDDA), (GNDA), and can be generated by a voltage-generating circuit (not shown) or two voltage-generating circuits (not shown).
Referring once more to
Referring to
Moreover, the second input stage 31 of the dual voltage output circuit of the second preferred embodiment is coupled electrically to the second intermediate voltage node and the fourth node so as to receive the second intermediate voltage level (VM2) and the second voltage level (GNDA), respectively, and is not coupled to the third node, i.e., the first voltage level (VDDA) is not received thereby. The second input stage 31 of the second preferred embodiment is operable to generate the first and second pairs of second intermediate voltages (Vm21+, Vm21−), (Vm22+, Vm22−) based upon the second voltage level (GNDA) and the second intermediate voltage level (VM2).
Referring to
The first intermediate stage 22 of the third preferred embodiment further includes a first voltage-level adjusting module 224 that is coupled electrically to the intermediate load 222 and the second active load 223 of the first intermediate stage 22. One of the pair of first control voltages (Vc1+, Vc1−) is outputted at a junction of the first active load 221 and the intermediate load 222 of the first intermediate stage 22. The other one of the pair of first control voltages (Vc1+, Vc1−) is outputted by the first voltage-level adjusting module 224.
The second intermediate stage 32 of the third preferred embodiment further includes a second voltage-level adjusting module 324 that is coupled electrically to the intermediate load 322 and the first active load 321 of the second intermediate stage 32. One of the pair of second control voltages (Vc2+, Vc2−) is outputted at a junction of the second active load 323 and the intermediate load 322 of the second intermediate stage 32. The other one of the pair of second control voltages (Vc2+, Vc2−) is outputted by the second voltage-level adjusting module 324.
In the aforesaid preferred embodiments, when the pairs of first and second input voltages (Vin1+, Vin1−), (Vin2+, Vin2−) change, the first and second output voltage (Vout1), (Vout2) will change accordingly, and the first n-type transistor (MN1) of the first output stage 23 and the first p-type transistor (MP1) of the second output stage 33 will conduct such that a current flows across the first and second terminals thereof. As the current flows between the first and second output stages 23, 33, electric charges of the first and second output stages 23, 33 are redistributed. For example, if the first output voltage (Vout1) increases and the second output voltage (Vout2) decreases, the redundant electric charges of the first output stage 23 are transferred to the second output stage 33. Therefore, current is not drawn from the operational voltage (VDDA) to increase the second output voltage (Vout2), thereby reducing power consumption.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
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99102798 A | Feb 2010 | TW | national |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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