This application note discusses how to select optimal power devices and control circuitry for alternating plasma display panel applications, concentrating on power circuits used to sustain plasma discharge on the panel. Plasma Display Panels (PDP) are emerging as the leading candidate for large area wall- hanging color TVs and HDTVs [1.]. Its large screen, wide viewing angle, and thinness have given it the edge over conventional displays. Scan, Energy Recovery (ERC) and Sustain (discharge) circuits are important blocks that fulfill important energy saving requirements.
This document explains the structure of Plasma Display Panels (PDP) and the physics behind their memory effect, including cell structure and driving sequences. It details the Address Display-Separation method used for image display.
The note focuses on the sustain circuit operations, describing positive and negative pulse phases, discharge, and clamping. It also covers STMicroelectronics' specific power devices and IC drivers used for energy recovery, discharge, path, and set-reset functions in PDP drive boards.
A slow ramping positive voltage up to 400 V followed by a slow ramping negative voltage down to -150 V is applied.
One TV field is divided into 10 subfields in a 10-bit codification case.
Each pixel has 1 billion colors possible with a 10-bit sequence.