DIGITAL LIGHT MODULATOR CONFIGURED FOR ANALOG CONTROL

摘要

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing analog control for operating the states of a light modulator in a pixel. In one aspect, a pixel circuit can be coupled to the light modulator, and can control the duration for which the light modulator is operated in an open or closed state based on an analog data voltage. In some implementations, the pixel circuit includes a voltage controlled current source (VCCS), which draws a current of a magnitude that is based on the magnitude of the data voltage. The current drawn by the VCCS can be used to control a charge and a voltage on an actuation capacitor coupled to the light modulator. The rate of change of the voltage on the actuation capacitor, and the duration for which the light modulator is maintained in a particular state, is a function of the data voltage applied to the VCCS.

主权项

1. A display apparatus comprising:
a light modulator capable of switching between two discrete states; and a pixel circuit coupled to the light modulator, the pixel circuit including:
a data storage element capable of storing a data voltage corresponding to a data value;an actuation charge capacitor;an analog current source coupled to the data storage element and to the actuation charge capacitor, wherein the analog current source is capable of outputting a current having a magnitude which is based on the data voltage stored on the data storage element to alter an amount of charge and a voltage stored on the actuation charge capacitor at a variable rate; anda switch having a voltage threshold, coupled to the actuation charge capacitor, capable of initiating a change of state of the light modulator in response to the current output by the analog current source causing the voltage stored on the actuation charge capacitor to cross the voltage threshold of the switch.