BUF08821
BANK0
I C
2
Changein
OutputVoltages
OUT1
OUT8
BANK1
5V
BKSEL
Switch
V
S
OUTX
or
V
X
COM
ESDCurrent
SteeringDiodes
BUF08821
www.ti.com ................................................................................................................................................. SBOS438C – AUGUST 2008 – REVISED AUGUST 2009
END-USER SELECTED GAMMA CONTROL
pin toggles between the new gamma curves after the
data is updated. The gamma curve data in the
Because the BUF08821 has two banks of nonvolatile
nonvolatile memory may be restored for each curve
memory, it is well-suited for providing two levels of
individually by issuing a general acquire command for
gamma control by using the BKSEL pin, as shown in
the desired bank. To restore both curves, a general
Figure 17. When the state of the BKSEL pin changes,
acquire command must be issued for each bank.
the BUF08821 updates all 9 programmable buffer
outputs simultaneously in less than 10
μs.
OUTPUT PROTECTION
To update all nine programmable output voltages
The BUF08821 output stages can safely source and
simultaneously via hardware; use this procedure:
sink the current levels indicated in
Figure 1 and
Toggle the BKSEL pin to switch between Gamma
Figure 2. However, there are other modes where
Curve 0 (stored in Bank0) and Gamma Curve 1
precautions must be taken to prevent to the output
(stored in Bank1).
stages from being damaged by excessive current
flow. The outputs (OUT1 through OUT8 and the
All DAC/VCOM registers update in less than 5μs, and
VCOM) include ESD protection diodes, as shown in
all output voltages settle within the next 5
μs.
Figure 18. Normally, these diodes do not conduct and
are passive during typical device operation. Unusual
operating conditions can occur where the diodes may
conduct, potentially subjecting them to high, even
damaging current levels. These conditions are most
likely to occur when a voltage applied to an output
exceeds (VS) + 0.5V, or drops below GND – 0.5V.
One common scenario where this condition can occur
is when the output pin is connected to a sufficiently
large capacitor, and the BUF08821 power-supply
source (VS) is suddenly removed. Removing the
power-supply
source
allows
the
capacitor
to
discharge through the current-steering diodes. The
energy released during the high current flow period
causes the power dissipation limits of the diode to be
exceeded. Protection against the high current flow
may be provided by placing current-limiting resistors
Select a resistor value that restricts the current level
to the maximum rating for the particular pin.
Figure 17. Gamma Control
DYNAMIC GAMMA CONTROL
Dynamic gamma control is a technique used to
improve
the
picture
quality
in
LCD
television
applications.
This
technique
typically
requires
switching
gamma
curves
between
frames.
The
BUF08821 is well-suited to implementing dynamic
gamma control. The BUF08821 has two banks of
nonvolatile memory (one for each gamma curve), and
two sets of storage registers (one for each gamma
curve). The BKSEL pin enables the device to switch
between gamma curves; the BUF08821 outputs fully
settled within 10
μs.
The BUF08821 reads gamma curve data from each
Figure 18. Output Pins ESD Protection
nonvolatile memory bank into the respective storage
Current-Steering Diodes
registers upon power-on. The BKSEL pin toggles
between the two gamma curves. It is also possible to
update the gamma curves by writing new data to the
storage registers via the I2C interface. The BKSEL
Copyright 2008–2009, Texas Instruments Incorporated
17