Gate driver, organic light emitting display device including the same, and method for operating the same

This application claims the benefit of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2018-0131241 filed on Oct. 30, 2018.

The present document relates to a gate driver, an organic light emitting display device including the same, and to a method for operating such a gate driver.

An active matrix type organic light emitting display device includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED) which emits light by itself and has a high response speed, a high luminous efficiency, a high brightness and a wide viewing angle.

An organic light emitting display device includes a gate driver for driving switching elements provided in pixels. Gate electrodes of the switching elements are connected to the gate driver through gate lines. The gate driver generates a gate signal (scan signal) and sequentially supplies the gate signal (scan signal) to the gate lines.

An organic light emitting display adopts an external compensation technique to enhance image quality. The external compensation technique senses a pixel voltage or current according to driving characteristics (or electrical characteristics) of pixels and modulates data of an input image on the basis of a sensing result, thus compensating for a driving characteristic variation between pixels. In order for the driving characteristics of the pixels to be sensed during a predetermined time in which an input image is not written, a gate driver operates a specific stage during the predetermined time to output a gate signal for sensing driving. In case of sensing driving, in order for a desired gate signal to be output, a Q node of the specific stage should be sufficiently charged with a gate-on voltage. Since a Q node charging path is longer in case of sensing driving and a time spared for sensing driving is very short as compared with the case of display driving, a charge level for the Q node is insufficient in case of sensing driving. If the desired gate signal is not applied in case of sensing driving, driving characteristics of the pixels may not be accurately sensed, which results in a reduction in compensation performance.

The present disclosure provides a gate driver capable of ensuring desired gate output characteristics by enhancing a charge level for a Q node in case of sensing driving, an organic light emitting display device including the same, and a method for operating the same.

In an embodiment, a gate driver includes a plurality of stages for outputting a gate signal for an image at a time of display driving and outputting a gate signal for sensing at a time of sensing driving that follows the display driving. Each of the stages includes a pixel line selecting unit configured to charge a first node with a first preceding stage carry signal based on a pixel line selection signal for a gate-on voltage during the display driving, and configured to charge a second node with a first high-potential power supply voltage based on a sensing start signal for the gate-on voltage and a charged voltage of the first node during the sensing driving; and an output unit outputting a scan clock for the gate-on voltage as the gate signal for sensing while the second node maintains a charged state on the sensing driving, wherein the first high-potential power supply voltage is higher at the time of the sensing driving than at the time of the display driving.

The first high-potential power supply voltage at the time of the sensing driving may be higher than the first high-potential power supply voltage at the time of the display driving, and lower than a break-down voltage of transistors electrically connected to an input terminal that receives the first high-potential power supply voltage.

Each of the plurality of stages may further include an inverter unit configured to cut off electrical connection between an input terminal that receives a second high-potential power supply voltage and a third node while the second node maintains the charged state on the sensing driving, wherein the first high-potential power supply voltage is higher than the second high-potential power supply voltage at the time of the sensing driving.

The second high-potential power supply voltage may be the same at the times of the display driving and the sensing driving.

A gate-on voltage interval of the first preceding stage carry signal and a gate-on voltage interval of the pixel line selection signal may be identical to each other.

Among the stages, the number of an active stage in which the first node may be charged with the first preceding stage carry signal according to the pixel line selection signal of the gate-on voltage during the display driving is one, and a position of the active stage may be changed at every predetermined time.

The position of the active stage may be randomly changed at every frame according to the gate-on voltage intervals of the first preceding stage carry signal and the pixel line selection signal.

The sensing start signal may be concurrently input as a gate-on voltage to the stages before the gate signal for sensing is output, and a sensing end signal may be concurrently input as a gate-on voltage to the stages after outputting of the gate signal for sensing is terminated.

The display driving may be performed within a vertical active period during which image data is written, and the sensing driving may be performed within a vertical blanking period during which the image data is not written.

The pixel line selecting unit may include: a first transistor; a second transistor, the first transistor and the second transistor electrically connected in series between an input terminal that receives the first preceding stage carry signal and the first node, the first transistor and the second transistor configured to be concurrently turned on based on the pixel line selection signal; a third transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to an input terminal that receives the first high-potential power supply voltage and a second electrode electrically connected between the first transistor and the second transistor, the third transistor configured to be turned on according to the charged voltage of the M node; a fourth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the first high-potential power supply voltage, the fourth transistor configured to be turned on based on the charged voltage of the first node; and a fifth transistor having a first electrode connected to a second electrode of the fourth transistor, and a second electrode electrically connected to the second node, the fifth transistor configured to be turned on according to the sensing start signal.

The pixel line selecting unit may further include a sixth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the Q node and a second electrode connected to an input terminal that receives a low-potential power supply voltage, the sixth transistor configured to be turned on according to the sensing end signal of the gate-on voltage.

The pixel line selecting unit may further include a capacitor connected between the input terminal of the first high-potential power supply voltage and the M node.

The inverter unit may be configured to discharge the third node to a low-potential power supply voltage b a second preceding stage carry signal having a phase of a gate-on voltage ahead of that of the first preceding stage carry signal during the display driving, discharge the third node to the low-potential power supply voltage based on a charged voltage of the second node during the display driving, charge the third node with the second high-potential power supply voltage according to a discharged voltage of the second node during the display driving, discharge the third node to the low-potential power supply voltage based on the sensing start signal and the charged voltage of the first node during the sensing driving, and discharge the third node to the low-potential power supply voltage based on the charged voltage of the second node during the sensing driving.

The inverter unit may include: a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the second high-potential power supply voltage and a second electrode electrically connected to an input terminal that receives a low-potential power supply voltage; a second transistor having a first electrode and a gate electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the second high-potential power supply voltage and a second electrode electrically connected to a gate electrode of the first transistor; a third transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor a second electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the low-potential power supply voltage and configured to be turned on based on the charged voltage of the second node; a fourth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the third node and a second electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the low-potential power supply voltage and turned on based on the charged voltage of the Q node; a fifth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the third node and a second electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the low-potential power supply voltage and turned on based on the second preceding stage carry signal of the gate-on voltage; a sixth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the third node and turned on according to the sensing start signal of the gate-on voltage; and a seventh transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to a second electrode of the sixth transistor and a second electrode electrically connected to the input terminal of the low-potential power supply voltage and configured to be turned on based on the charged voltage of the M node.

The inverter unit may include: a first transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the second high-potential power supply voltage, and a second electrode connected to the third node; a second transistor having a first electrode and a gate electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the second high-potential power supply voltage and a second electrode electrically connected to a gate electrode of the first transistor; a third transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor, a second electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the low-potential power supply voltage, and a gate electrode electrically connected to the second node; a fourth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the third node, and a second electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the low-potential power supply voltage, and a gate electrode electrically connected to the second node; a fifth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the third node, a second electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the low-potential power supply voltage, and a gate electrode to which the second preceding stage carry signal of the gate-on voltage is applied; a sixth transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to the third node and a gate electrode to which the sensing start signal is applied; and a seventh transistor having a first electrode electrically connected to a second electrode of the sixth transistor, and a second electrode electrically connected to the input terminal that receives the low-potential power supply voltage and a gate electrode electrically connected to the first node.

An organic light emitting display device may comprise a gate driver according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a plurality of pixels electrically connected to the gate driver through gate lines and driven based on the gate signal for the image and the gate signal for sensing.

In another aspect, a method for operating a gate driver according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: operating the pixel line selecting unit to charge the first node with the first preceding stage carry signal based on the pixel line selection signal for the gate-on voltage during the display driving and to charge the second node with the first high-potential power supply voltage based on the sensing start signal for the gate-on voltage and the charged voltage of the first node during the sensing driving; and operating the output unit to output the scan clock of for the gate-on voltage as the gate signal for sensing while the second node maintains the charged state on the sensing driving, wherein the first high-potential power supply voltage is higher at the time of the sensing driving than at the time of the display driving.

The first high-potential power supply voltage at the time of the sensing driving may be lower than a break-down voltage of transistors electrically connected to an input terminal that receives the first high-potential power supply voltage.

Each of the plurality of stages may further include an inverter unit configured to cut off electrical connection between an input terminal that receives a second high-potential power supply voltage and a third node while the second node maintains the charged state on the sensing driving, and the first high-potential power supply voltage may be higher than the second high-potential power supply voltage at the time of the sensing driving.

The second high-potential power supply voltage may be the same at the times of the display driving and the sensing driving.

A gate-on voltage interval of the first preceding stage carry signal and a gate-on voltage interval of the pixel line selection signal may be identical to each other.

The inverter unit may discharge the third node to a low-potential power supply voltage based on a second preceding stage carry signal having a phase of a gate-on voltage ahead of that of the first preceding stage carry signal during the display driving, discharge the third node to the low-potential power supply voltage (GVSS) based on a charged voltage of the second node during the display driving, charge the third node with the second high-potential power supply voltage based on a discharged voltage of the second node during the display driving, discharge the third node to the low-potential power supply voltage based on the sensing start signal and the charged voltage of the M node during the sensing driving, and discharges the third node to the low-potential power supply voltage based on the charged voltage of the second node during the sensing driving.

Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and implementation methods thereof will be clarified through following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers and the like disclosed in the drawings for describing the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrative and are not limited to those illustrated in the present disclosure. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Further, in the description of the present disclosure, detailed description of known related arts will be omitted if it is determined that the gist of the present disclosure may be unnecessarily obscured.

In construing an element, the element is construed as including an error range although there is no explicit description.

In describing a position relationship, for example, when two portions are described as “on”, “above”, “below”, or “on the side”, one or more other portions may be positioned between the two portions unless “immediately” or “directly” is used.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In this disclosure, a pixel circuit and a gate driver formed on a substrate of a display panel may be realized as a thin film transistor (TFT) having an n-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) structure, but without being limited thereto, the pixel circuit and a gate driver may also be realized as a TFT having a p-type MOSFET structure. A TFT is a three-electrode element including a gate, a source, and a drain. The source is an electrode that supplies a carrier to a transistor. In the TFT, carriers start to flow from the source. The drain is an electrode through which the carriers exit from the TFT. That is, in the MOSFET, the carriers flow from the source to the drain. In case of the n-type TFT, the carriers are electrons, and thus, a source voltage has a voltage lower than a drain voltage so that electrons may flow from the source to the drain. In the n-type TFT, electrons flow from the source to the drain, and thus, current flows from the drain to the source. In contrast, in case of a p-type TFT (PMOS), since carriers are holes, a source voltage is higher than a drain voltage so that holes may flow from the source to the drain. In the p-type TFT, since holes flow from the source to the drain, current flows from the source to the drain. It should be noted that the source and the drain of the MOSFET are not fixed. For example, the source and the drain of the MOSFET may be changed depending on the applied voltage. Therefore, in the description of the embodiments, one of the source and the drain is referred to as a first electrode and the other is referred to as a second electrode.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, an organic light emitting display device including an organic luminescent material will mainly be described as a display device. However, it should be noted that the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited to the organic light emitting display device but may be applied to any other display devices such as a liquid crystal display.

In describing the present disclosure, if a detailed description for a related known function or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gist of the present disclosure, such explanation has been omitted but would be understood by those skilled in the art.

In the following description, “preceding stages” refers to stages which are located above a reference stage and generate gate signals advanced in phase as compared with a gate signal output from the reference stage. Also, “subsequent stages” refer to stages which are positioned below the reference stage and generate gate signals delayed in phase as compared with the gate signal output from the reference stage. In the following description, switching elements constituting a gate driver of the present disclosure may be implemented as at least any one of an oxide element, an amorphous silicon element, and a polysilicon element. Activating a specific stage refers to charging a gate-on voltage to a Q-node of the stage and deactivating a specific stage refers to discharging a Q-node of the stage to a gate-off voltage.

1 FIG. illustrates an organic light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

1 FIG. 100 110 Referring to, the organic light emitting display device of the present disclosure includes a display panel, a data driver, a gate driver, and a timing controller.

100 In the display panel, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines overlap each other, and pixels are arranged in a matrix form, thereby forming a pixel array. The pixel array may further include a reference line connected to each pixel.

Each pixel may include an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a driving thin film transistor (TFT), a storage capacitor, and at least one switching TFT. The TFTs may be implemented as a P type, an N type, or a hybrid type in which a P type and an N type are mixed. Further, a semiconductor layer of each TFT may include amorphous silicon, polysilicon, or an oxide.

110 110 120 The timing controllerreceives image data RGB from an external host system through various known interface schemes. The timing controllermay correct the image data RGB to compensate for variations of driving characteristics of the pixels on the basis of a sensing result of real-time sensing and subsequently transmit the corrected image data to source drive ICs.

110 110 120 The timing controllerreceives timing signals such as a vertical synchronization signal Vsync, a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, and a data enable signal DE from the host system. The timing controllergenerates a source timing control signal for controlling an operation timing of the data driver on the basis of a timing signal from the host system and a gate timing control signal for controlling an operation timing of the gate driver. The source timing control signal includes a source sampling clock (SSC), a source output enable signal (SOE), and the like. The source sampling clock SSC is a clock signal that controls a sampling timing of data in the source drive ICson the basis of a rising or falling edge. The source output enable signal SOE is a signal for controlling an output timing of a data voltage.

110 100 The timing controllercontrols a display driving timing and a sensing driving timing for the pixel lines of the display panelon the basis of the source and gate timing control signals so that the driving characteristics of the pixels may be sensed in real time during image displaying.

Here, the pixel line refers to a pixel aggregate of one line in which pixels are adjacent in a horizontal direction. The sensing driving refers to driving of writing sensing data into pixels arranged in a specific pixel line to sense driving characteristics of the corresponding pixels and updating a compensation value for compensating for a change in the driving characteristics of the corresponding pixels on the basis of the sensing result. Hereinafter, an operation for writing the sensing data into the pixels arranged in the specific pixel line at a time of sensing driving will be referred to as sensing data writing (SDW) driving.

100 The display driving refers to writing input image data RGB into pixel lines within one frame to reproduce an input image on the display panel. Hereinafter, the display driving will be referred to as image data writing (IDW) driving.

110 The timing controllermay implement IDW driving during a vertical active period of one frame and may implement SDW driving within a vertical blanking period in which IDW driving is not performed.

120 120 110 120 110 100 100 The data driver includes a plurality of source drive ICs. The source drive ICsreceive the image data RGB from the timing controller. The source driver ICsconvert the image data RGB into a gamma compensation voltage in response to the source timing control signal from the timing controllerto generate a data voltage and synchronize the data voltage with a gate signal, and supply the data voltage synchronized with the gate signal to the data lines of the panel. The source drive ICs may be connected to the data lines of the display panelthrough a chip-on-glass (COG) process or a tape automated bonding (TAB) process.

130 150 110 130 The gate driver includes a gate shift registerconnected to the gate lines and a level shifterboosting a voltage level of a signal output from the timing controllerand supplying the boosted voltage level to the gate shift register.

150 110 100 150 130 The level shifterboosts a transistor-transistor-logic (TTL) level voltage of a gate timing control signal input from the timing controllerto a gate-on voltage and a gate-off voltage capable of switching a TFT formed on the display panel. The level shiftersupplies the level-shifted gate timing control signal to the gate shift register. The gate timing control signal includes a gate start signal VSP, gate shift clocks CLKs, a pixel line selection signal LSP, a sensing start signal SRT, and a sensing end signal SND. The gate shift clocks CLKs are implemented as N-phase (N is a natural number) clocks having different phases.

130 150 The gate shift registerincludes a plurality of stages outputting a gate signal for image in case of IDW driving and outputting a gate signal for sensing in case of SDW driving that follows the IDW driving on the basis of the gate timing control signal input from the level shifterand driving power (high-potential power supply voltage, low-potential power supply voltage) input from a power supply circuit (not shown). Each stage further includes a pixel line selecting unit for SDW driving in addition to an input unit for IDW driving. In order to output a desired gate signal for image and a gate signal for sensing, a Q node of a corresponding stage should be sufficiently charged for IDW driving and SDW driving. However, since a Q node charge path of the pixel line selecting unit is longer than a Q node charge path of the input unit and a time spared for SDW driving is very short, the Q node charge voltage for outputting the gate signal for sensing may be less a target value.

1 2 1 1 2 1 2 In order to sufficiently secure the Q-node charge voltage for SDW driving, the power supply circuit dualizes a high-potential power supply voltage applied to each stage to a first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDapplied to the pixel line selecting unit and a second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDapplied to an inverter unit, and periodically changes a voltage level of the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDD. That is, the power supply circuit sets the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDto be higher at the time of SDW driving than at the time of the IDW driving. However, the power supply circuit may set the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDto be equal to the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDat the time of IDW driving to ensure operational stability of the stages. The second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDis kept constant without being changed periodically.

130 100 130 100 130 100 The gate shift registermay be formed directly on a substrate of the display panelin a gate-in-panel (GIP) manner. The gate shift registermay be formed in an area (i.e., a bezel (BZ) area) where an image is not displayed on the display panel, but is not limited thereto. In order to minimize distortion of a gate signal due to RC delay, the gate shift registermay be formed at a first side bezel area BZ and a second side bezel area BZ of the display panelin a double bank manner, but is not limited thereto.

2 FIG. 1 FIG. 132 130 illustrates a connection configuration between signal lines and the stagesincluded in the gate shift registerof.

2 FIG. 130 132 132 Referring to, the gate shift registeraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of stagescascaded to each other. The stagesmay be GIP elements formed in a GIP (gate driver in panel) manner. At least one upper dummy stage may further be provided at a preceding stage of the uppermost stage, and at least one lower dummy stage may further be provided at a subsequent stage of the lowermost stage. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

132 100 The stagesare connected the gate lines of the display panel, respectively.

132 1 2 The stagesgenerate a gate signal on the basis of the high-potential power supply voltages GVDDand GVDD, a low-potential power supply voltage GVSS, the gate start signal VSP, carry signals C(n) to C(n+3), the gate shift clocks CLKs, the pixel line selection signal LSP, the sensing start signal SRT, the sensing end signal SND, and the like. The gate signal may include scan signals SCT(n) to SCT(n+3), and the carry signals C(n) to C(n+3) and may further include a sense signal (not shown).

3 FIG. 3 FIG. 132 100 A stage configuration in which a scan signal SCT(n) and a carry signal C(n) are generated as gate signals is illustrated in. The stageofgenerates the scan signal SCT(n) and supplies the generated scan signal SCT(n) to the gate lines GLn of the display paneland generates the carry signal C(n) and supplies the generated carry signal C(n) to previous and rear stages.

132 132 The stagesindependently generate the carry signals C(n) to C(n+3), thereby preventing the carry signals from being distorted by a gate load. The stagesgenerate the carry signals C(n) to C(n+3) and supply them as a start signal to one of the subsequent stages and supply them as a reset signal to any one of the preceding stages.

132 132 Each of the stagesactivates an operation of the Q node according to the gate start signal VSP or the preceding stage carry signal applied to a start terminal each frame. The preceding stage signal is a carry signal applied from any one of the preceding stages. Each of the stagesdeactivates the operation of the Q node according to a subsequent stage carry signal applied to a reset terminal every frame. The subsequent stage carry signal is a carry signal applied from one of the subsequent stages.

132 The gate start clock VSP, the gate shift clocks CLKs, the pixel line selection signal LSP, the sensing start signal SRT, and the sensing end signal SND are supplied to the stagesin common. The gate shift clocks CLKs implemented as N-phase (N is a natural number) clocks having different phases may include N-phase carry clocks and N-phase scan clocks.

The scan clocks are clock signals for generating scan signals SCT(n) to SCT(n+3) for image or sensing and the carry clocks are clock signals for generating previous or subsequent stage carry signals C(n) n+3). The scan clocks swing between a gate-on voltage and a gate-off voltage so as to be synchronized with the scan signals SCT(n) to SCT(n+3). The carry clocks are swung between the gate-on voltage and the gate-off voltage so as to be synchronized with the carry signals C(n) to C(n+3).

132 132 In case of IDW driving, all the stagesare activated in one frame to sequentially output scan signals SCT(n) to SCT(n+3) for image and sequentially output carry signals C(n) to C(n+3) for image. Meanwhile, in case of SDW driving, one specific stageis activated in one frame to output a scan signal for sensing.

132 132 132 The pixel line selection signal LSP is input to the specific stage, as a gate-on voltage at the time of IDW driving. A gate-on voltage interval is set such that the pixel line selection signal LSP is synchronized with a first preceding stage carry signal input to the specific stageat the time of IDW driving. Accordingly, the first preceding stage carry signal of the gate-on voltage is charged to the M node of the specific stageaccording to the pixel line selection signal LSP of the gate-on voltage.

132 132 132 132 Meanwhile, the pixel line selection signal LSP is input, as a gate-on voltage, to the other remaining stagesexcluding the specific stageat the time of IDW driving. However, since the preceding stage carry signals input to the other remaining stagesdo not overlap the pixel line selection signal LSP in the gate-on voltage interval, the M nodes of the other remaining stagesare not charged with the gate-one voltage at the time of IDW driving.

As described above, the number of active stages (which refers to the specific stage) in which the M node is charged with the gate-on voltage by the first preceding stage carry signal which overlaps the pixel line selection signal LSP in the gate-on voltage interval is 1 per predetermined time (e.g., one frame). A position of this active stage changes at every predetermined time. For example, the position of the active stage may change randomly at every frame according to setting of the gate-on voltage interval of the first preceding stage carry signal and the pixel line selection signal LSP.

132 132 1 132 1 The sensing start signal SRT is input, as a gate-on voltage, to the specific stageat a time of SDW driving. Therefore, the Q node of the specific stageis charged with the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDaccording to the sensing start signal SRT of the charge voltage of the M node of the specific stageand the gate-on voltage. Here, since the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDis set to be higher in case of IDW driving than in case of SDW driving, the Q node may be rapidly charged to the gate-on voltage at the time of SDW driving.

132 132 132 132 Meanwhile, the sensing start signal SRT is input as the gate-on voltage to the other remaining stagesexcluding the specific stageat the time of SDW driving. However, since the M nodes of the other remaining stagesare not charged, the Q nodes of the other remaining stagesmay not be charged with the gate-on voltage at the time of SDW driving.

132 132 132 132 The sensing end signal SND is input to the specific stageas a gate-on voltage at the time of SDW driving to discharge the Q node of the specific stageto a gate-off voltage. The sensing end signal SND is input to the specific stageafter the scan signal for sensing is output from the specific stage.

132 132 Meanwhile, the sensing end signal SND may be input as a gate-on voltage to the other remaining stagesexcluding the specific stageat the time of SDW driving.

3 FIG. 4 FIG. 2 3 FIGS.and is a circuit diagram illustrating a stage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a diagram illustrating timings at which IDW driving and SDW driving are performed on the basis of gate signals output from the stages of.

132 2 132 3 FIG. 3 FIG. 3 FIG. 8 FIG. The stageinis an nth stage STGn for outputting the nth scan signal SCT(n) for image and sensing and the nth carry signal C(n) for image. In, the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDmay be substantially equal to the gate-on voltage, and the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS may be substantially equal to the gate-off voltage. The stageofmay be connected to the pixel PIX as shown inthrough the gate line GLn.

3 4 FIGS.and 132 1 2 3 4 5 Referring to, the stageincludes a pixel line selecting unit BLK, an input unit BLK, an inverter unit BLK, an output unit BLK, and a stabilization unit BLK.

1 1 1 While IDW driving is performed during a vertical active period VWP of one frame, the pixel line selecting unit BLKcharges the M node with the first preceding carry signal C(n−2) according to the pixel line selection signal LSP of a gate-on voltage to prepare SDW driving. Subsequently, the pixel line selecting unit BLKcharges the Q node with the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDaccording to the sensing start signal SRT of a gate-on voltage and the charged voltage of the M node during the vertical blanking period VBP of one frame to case SDW driving to be started.

1 11 15 11 12 13 14 15 The pixel line selecting unit BLKmay include first to fifth transistors Tto T. The first and second transistors Tand Tare turned on according to the pixel line selection signal LSP of the gate-on voltage during the vertical active period VWP, the third and fourth transistors Tand Tare turned on while the M node maintains the charged state, and the fifth transistor Tis turned on according to the sensing start signal SRT of the gate-on voltage within the vertical blanking period VBP.

11 12 The first transistor Tand the second transistor Tare connected in series between an input terminal of the first preceding stage carry signal C(n−2) and the M node and concurrently turned on according to the pixel line selection signal LSP to apply the first preceding stage carry signal C(n−2) to the M node. When the gate-on voltage interval of the first preceding stage carry signal C(n−2) is synchronized with the pixel line selection signal LSP of the gate-on voltage, the M node is charged with the gate-on voltage by the first preceding stage carry signal C(n−2).

13 1 13 11 12 13 13 1 11 12 11 12 A first electrode of the third transistor Tis connected to an input terminal of the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDand a second electrode of the third transistor Tis connected between the first transistor Tand the second transistor T, and a gate electrode of the third transistor Tis connected to the M node. The third transistor Tis turned according to the charged voltage of the M node to apply the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDbetween the first transistor Tand the second transistor Tto reduce an off current of the first and second transistors Tand Tand stably maintain the charged voltage of the M node until the vertical blanking period VBP in which the SDW driving is performed.

14 1 14 15 14 14 1 15 A first electrode of the fourth transistor Tis connected to the input terminal of the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDD, a second electrode of the fourth transistor Tis connected to one electrode of the fifth transistor T, and a gate electrode of the fourth transistor Tis connected to the M node. The fourth transistor Tis turned on according to the charged voltage of the M node to apply the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDto the first electrode of the fifth transistor T.

15 14 15 15 15 1 A first electrode of the fifth transistor Tis connected to the second electrode of the fourth transistor T, a second electrode of the fifth transistor Tis connected to the Q node, and a gate electrode of the fifth transistor Tis connected to an input terminal of the sensing start signal SRT. The fifth transistor Tis turned on according to the sensing start signal SRT of the gate-on voltage to apply the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDto the Q node.

1 16 In addition, the pixel line selecting unit BLKmay further include a sixth transistor Tand a capacitor Cx.

1 The capacitor Cx is connected between the input terminal of the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDand the M node to stably maintain the charged voltage of the M node until the vertical blanking period VBP in which SDW driving is performed.

16 16 16 16 The sixth transistor Tis turned on in response to the sensing end signal SND of the gate-on voltage within the vertical blanking period VBP to discharge the node Q to the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS. The sensing end signal SND is input as the gate-on voltage within the vertical blanking period VBP after the nth scan signal SCT(n) for sensing is output. A gate electrode of the sixth transistor Tis connected to an input terminal of the sensing end signal SND, a first electrode of the sixth transistor Tis connected to the Q node, and a second electrode of the sixth transistor Tis connected to the input terminal of the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS.

2 2 The input unit BLKcharges and discharges the Q node for IDW driving. The input unit BLKdoes not operate at the time of SDW driving.

2 2 At the time of IDW driving, the input unit BLKcharges the Q node with the second preceding stage carry signal C(n−3) of the gate-on voltage in response to the second preceding stage carry signal C(n−3) input through the start terminal. The gate-on voltage of the second preceding stage carry signal C(n−3) is ahead of that of the first preceding stage carry signal C(n−1). The input unit BLKdischarges the Q node to the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS in response to the subsequent stage carry signal C(n+3) input through the reset terminal.

2 21 22 21 22 22 To this end, the input unit BLKincludes a plurality of transistors Tand T. A first transistor Tincludes a gate electrode and a first electrode connected to an input terminal (start terminal) of the second preceding stage carry signal C(n−3) and a second electrode connected to the Q node, and applies the second preceding stage carry signal C(n−3) of the on-voltage to the Q node. The second transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to an input terminal (reset terminal) of the subsequent stage carry signal C(n+3), a first electrode connected to the Q node, and a second electrode connected to the input terminal of the low-potential power supply voltage. While the subsequent stage carry signal C(n+3) is being input, the second transistor Tconnects the Q node and the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS to discharging the Q node.

3 3 2 3 At the time of IDW driving and SDW driving, the inverter unit BLKcharges and discharges a QB node and the Q node in a mutually opposite manner. At the time of IDW driving, the inverter unit BLKfirst discharges the QB node to the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS according to the second preceding stage carry signal C(n−3) having a phase of the gate-on voltage ahead of that of the first preceding stage carry signal C(n−2), secondly discharges the QB node to the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS according to the charged voltage of the Q node, and subsequently charges the QB node with the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDaccording to the discharged voltage of the Q node. Subsequently, at the time of SDW driving, the inverter unit BLKthirdly discharges the QB node to the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS according to the sensing start signal SRT of the gate-on voltage and the charged voltage of the M node and subsequently fourthly discharges the QB node to the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS according to the charged voltage of the Q node.

3 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 At the time of IDW driving and SDW driving, the inverter unit BLKinterrupts electrical connection between the input terminal of the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDand the QB node while the Q node maintains the charged state. The inverter unit BLKmay charge the QB node by applying the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDto the QB node according to a voltage of an Nnode. The voltage of the Nnode is controlled to be opposite to the Q node. The Nnode is discharged to low-potential power supply voltage GVSS while the Q node maintains the charged state, and when Q node maintains a discharged state, the Nnode is charged with the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDD. In other words, the potential of the QB node is charged with the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDwhile the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS is applied to the Q node.

3 31 33 31 1 2 32 2 1 33 1 To this end, the inverter unit BLKincludes a plurality of transistors Tto T. A first transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to the Nnode, a first electrode connected to the input terminal of the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDD, and a second electrode connected to the QB node. The second transistor Tincludes a gate electrode and a first electrode connected to the input terminal of the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDD, and a second electrode connected to the Nnode. The third transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to the Q node, a first electrode connected to the Nnode, and a second electrode connected to the input terminal of the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS.

3 3 At the time of IDW driving and SDW driving, the inverter unit BLKdischarges the QB node to the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS while the Q node is being charged. Also, the inverter unit BLKmay further discharge the QB node to the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS according to the second preceding stage carry signal C(n−3) in order to increase reliability of the operation.

3 34 35 34 35 To this end, the inverter unit BLKfurther includes a plurality of transistors Tand T. A fourth transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to the Q node, a first electrode connected to the QB node, and a second electrode to which the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS is applied. A fifth transistor Tincludes a gate electrode to which the second preceding stage carry signal C(n−3) is applied, a first electrode connected to the QB node, and a second electrode to which the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS is applied.

3 In order to further increase reliability of the operation, at the time of SDW driving, the inverter unit BLKdischarges the QB node to the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS according to the sensing start signal SRT of the gate-on voltage and the charged voltage of the M node.

3 36 37 36 37 37 36 To this end, the inverter unit BLKfurther includes a plurality of transistors Tand T. A sixth transistor Tincludes a gate electrode to which the sensing start signal SRT is applied, a first electrode connected to the QB node, and a second electrode connected to one electrode of a seventh transistor T. The seventh transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to the M node, a first electrode connected to the second electrode of the sixth transistor T, and a second electrode to which the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS is applied.

4 4 At the time of IDW driving, the output unit BLKoutputs a scan clock SCCLK(n) of the gate-on voltage as a scan signal SCT(n) for image and outputs a carry clock CRCLK(n) of the gate-on voltage as a carry signal C(n) for image, while the Q node maintains the charged state. Also, at the time of SDW driving, the output unit BLKoutputs the scan clock SCCLK(n) of the gate-on voltage as the scan signal SCT(n) for sensing, while the Q node maintains the charged state.

4 41 42 41 1 42 2 41 42 132 2 To this end, the output unit BLKincludes first and second pull-up transistors Tand Tand a boosting capacitor CB. The first pull-up transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to the Q node, a first electrode connected to the input terminal of the carry clock signal CRCLK(n), and a second electrode connected to the first output node NO. The second pull-up transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to the Q node, a first electrode connected to the input terminal of the scan clock SCCLK(n), and a second electrode connected to the second output node NO. Since the gate electrodes of the first and second pull-up transistors Tand Tare connected to the same Q node, a configuration and a mounting area of the stageare reduced and the bezel area is advantageously reduced. The boosting capacitor CB is connected between the Q node and the second output node NOso that a voltage of the Q node is bootstrapped in synchronization with the scan clock SCCLK(n) of the gate-on voltage. When the voltage of the Q node is bootstrapped, the scan clock SCCLK(n) of the gate-on voltage may be output to the scan signal SCT(n) for image quickly and without distortion.

5 1 2 1 2 The stabilization unit BLKstabilizes a voltage state of the Q node and the output nodes NOand NOby applying the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS to the Q node and the output nodes NOand NOwhile the QB node is being charged.

5 51 53 51 1 52 2 53 To this end, the stabilization unit BLKincludes a plurality of transistors Tto T. A first transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to the QB node, a first electrode connected to the first output node NO, and a second electrode to which the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS is applied. A second transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to the QB node, a first electrode connected to the second output node NO, and a source electrode to which the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS is applied. A third transistor Tincludes a gate electrode connected to the QB node, a first electrode connected to the Q node, and a second electrode to which the low-potential power supply voltage GVSS is applied.

4 FIG. Referring to, the number of active stages in which the M node is charged with the gate-on voltage at the time of IDW driving may be one per frame. The position of this active stage may be changed randomly at each frame. When the position of the active stage is changed randomly every frame for SDW driving, the pixel line which is SDW-DRIVEN is randomly changed. For example, after the M node of a first active stage connected to a pixel line A is charged (prepared for SDW) during the vertical active period VWP of a Kth frame, the pixel line A may be sensed according to a gate signal for sensing output from the first active stage within the vertical blanking period VBP of the Kth frame. Also, after the M node of a second active stage connected to a pixel line B is charged (prepared for SDW) during the vertical active period VWP of a (K+1)th frame, the pixel line b may be sensed according to a gate signal for sensing output from the second active stage within the vertical blanking period VBP of the (K+1)th frame.

Since the pixels stop emitting light at the time of SDW driving, when the pixel lines are sequentially sensed, the sensed pixel lines may be visually recognized as a line dim. Here, if the pixel lines are sensed in a random order, rather than being sequentially sensed, the line dim may not be visible due to a visual dispersion effect.

5 FIG. 3 FIG. 6 FIG. 3 FIG. 7 FIG. 5 6 FIGS.and is a view illustrating that the first high-potential power supply voltage applied to the stage ofis higher at the time of SDW driving than at the time of IDW driving.is a view illustrating that the first and second high-potential power supply voltages applied to the stage ofare the same at the time of IDW driving and the first high-potential power supply voltage is higher than the second high-potential power supply voltage at the time of SDW driving.is a view illustrating a change in Q-node voltage according to the first high-potential power supply voltage inat the times of display driving and sensing driving.

5 6 FIGS.and 3 FIG. 132 1 1 2 3 Referring to, the high-potential power supply voltage applied to the stageofis dualized to the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDapplied to the pixel line selecting unit BLKand the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDapplied to the inverter unit BLK.

1 1 1 13 14 1 1 1 1 7 FIG. 7 FIG. In order to sufficiently secure a Q node charge voltage at the time of SDW driving, the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDis set to be higher at the time of SDW driving than at the time of IDW driving. The first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDat the time of SDW driving may be set to “VX+α” higher than “VX” which is the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDfor IDW driving and lower than a break-down voltage of the transistors Tand Tconnected to the input terminal of the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDD. As illustrated in, in case of SDW driving, a Q node charge rate and a charge time may be improved as the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDis higher. In, (A) is a Q node voltage when the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDfor SDW driving is set to “VX”, and (B) is a Q node voltage when the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDfor SDW driving is set to “VX+α”.

13 14 1 1 13 14 However, in case of SDW driving, a load applied to the transistors Tand Tincreases as the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDis higher. Thus, the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDfor SDW driving is increased within a voltage range lower than the break-down voltage of the transistors Tand T.

2 2 1 6 FIG. However, in order to ensure operational stability of the stage, the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDmay be set to be equal for IDW and SDW driving. For example, as shown in, the second high-potential power supply voltage GVDDmay be set to “VX” which is equal to the first high-potential power supply voltage GVDDfor the IDW driving.

8 FIG. 3 FIG. 9 FIG. 10 FIG.A 9 FIG. 10 FIG.B 9 FIG. 10 FIG.C 9 FIG. is a view illustrating a pixel connected to a stage ofand a data driver connected to the pixel.is a view illustrating a gate signal and a data signal for sensing driving.is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel corresponding to a setup period of.is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel corresponding to a sensing period of.is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel corresponding to a reset period of.

132 3 FIG. 8 FIG. 8 FIG. The scan signal SCT(n) for image or sensing output from the stageinis supplied to the pixel PIX through the gate line GLn in. The pixel PIX inmay perform a sensing operation for external compensation. The sensing for external compensation is a technique for sensing driving characteristics of the pixel PIX and correcting the image data RGB on the basis of the sensing result.

8 FIG. 120 120 The pixel PIX inis IDW-driven during the vertical active period and SDW-driven during the vertical blanking period. The source drive ICincludes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The DAC may convert the image data RGB to a data voltage VIDW for image at the time of IDW driving, generate a data voltage for sensing to be written into the pixel PIX at the time of SDW driving, and further generate a reference voltage Vref to be written into the pixel PIX. The source drive ICfurther includes a sensing circuit SU and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for SDW driving. The sensing circuit SU may be implemented as a current sensing type or a voltage sensing type. The ADC converts an analog signal sampled in the sensing circuit SU into digital data S-DATA. A reference line RL connected to each pixel PIX may be selectively connected to the DAC and the sensing circuit SU through a switch circuit (not shown).

8 FIG. 1 2 Referring to, the pixel PIX may include an OLED, a driver TFT DT, a first switching TFT ST, a second switching TFT ST, and a storage capacitor Cst.

First, the operation of the pixel PIX for IDW driving will be described. The IDW driving may be implemented with a programming period and an emission period.

1 2 During the programming period, the first switching TFT STis turned on according to the scan signal SCT(n) for image from the gate line GLn to supply the data voltage VIDW for image on the data line DL to the gate electrode Ng of the driving TFT DT. During the programming period, the second switching TFT STis turned on according to the scan signal SCT(n) for image from the gate line GLn to supply the reference voltage Vref on the reference line RL to the source electrode Ns of the driving TFT DT. Therefore, during the programming period, a gate-source voltage of the driving TFT DT is set to “Vdata−Vref”.

1 2 Subsequently, during the emission period, the first and second switching TFTs STand STare turned off. During the emission period, a gate-source voltage of the driving TFT DT is held by the storage capacitor Cst. During the emission period, a driving current proportional to a square root of “Vdata−Vref” flows through the driving TFT DT, and the OLED is emitted by the driving current.

9 10 FIGS.toC 1 2 3 Next, the operation of the pixel PIX for SDW driving will be described with reference to. The vertical blanking period VBP for SDW driving includes a setup period {circle around ()} for setting the gate-source voltage of the driving TFT DT to fit to a sensing condition, a sensing period {circle around ()} for sampling the pixel current, and a reset period {circle around ()} for resetting the gate-source voltage of the driving TFT DT to an emission period of IDW driving.

9 10 FIGS.andA 1 1 1 2 1 Referring to, during the setup period {circle around ()}, the first switching TFT STof the pixel PIX is turned on according to the scan signal SCT(n) for sensing to apply a data voltage VSDW to the gate electrode Ng of the driving TFT DT. During the setup period {circle around ()}, the second switching TFT STof the pixel PIX is turned on according to the scan signal SCT(n) for sensing to apply the reference voltage Vref to the source electrode Ns of the driving TFT DT. Accordingly, during to setup period {circle around ()}, the gate-source voltage of the driving TFT DT is set to fit to the sensing condition.

9 10 FIGS.andB 2 1 2 2 2 Referring to, during the sensing period {circle around ()}, the first switching TFT STand the second switching TFT STof the pixel PIX maintain a turned-on state. During the sensing period {circle around ()}, the sensing circuit SU samples the pixel current input through the second switching TFT STand the reference line RL.

9 10 FIGS.andC 3 1 2 3 3 Referring to, during the reset period {circle around ()}, the first switching TFT STand the second switching TFT STof the pixel PIX maintain the turned-on state. During the reset period {circle around ()}, a data voltage VREC for resetting is applied to the gate electrode Ng of the driving TFT DT and the reference voltage Vref is applied to the source electrode Ns of the driving TFT DT. The data voltage VREC for resetting may be the data voltage VIDW for image. During the reset period {circle around ()}, the gate-source voltage of the driving TFT DT is reset to the emission period state of IDW driving.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, by further increasing the high-level power supply voltage applied to the pixel line selecting unit to be higher during sensing driving than that during display driving, the charge level for the Q node may be strengthened during sensing driving, thus ensuring desired gate output characteristics. In the present disclosure, since driving characteristics of the pixel is accurately sensed by securing desired gate output characteristics for sensing driving, compensation performance may be increased.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.