A novel transformer coupled efficient AC-PDP sustain driver

The novel concept of a transformer coupled energy recovery sustain-driver (TERSD) for plasma display panels (PDP) is proposed. The two windings of the transformer greatly boost up the displacement current flowing through the panel capacitance during the transition time and hence enable a fast inversion of the voltage polarity with practical values of resonant inductance. The resonant inductance can be increased by a factor of (n+1)² as compared to prior approaches. Increased inductance results in lower peak and rms current stresses and hence reduced conduction losses both in the resonant inductor and the energy recovery (auxiliary) switches. The proposed circuit can achieve zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) of the sustain switches and zero-current-switching (ZCS) of the auxiliary switches. The operational principle and design procedure of the proposed circuit are presented with theoretical analysis. The validity of the proposed sustain driver is established through simulation and experimental results at 200 kHz. The test results with a transition time of 400 ns are also presented to demonstrate the potential of TERSD to be used as a high frequency sustain-driver, thus increasing the brightness of PDPs.