Backlight unit, method of driving the same, and display device including the same

A display device, comprising:

• a display panel including a plurality of pixels;
• a driving circuit to display an image on the display panel and output a dimming signal;
• and
• a backlight unit to supply light to the display panel,
• wherein the backlight unit includes:
• a power converter to generate a light source voltage based on to a power control signal;
• a light emitting element connected between a first node and a second node;
• and
• a light source controller connected to the second node, the light source controller to output the power control signal based on a dimming signal,
• wherein the light emitting element receives the light source power voltage through the first node;
• and
• when a feedback voltage of the second node is less than or equal to a first reference voltage, the light source controller is to output the dimming signal and a power control signal having a first pulse width based on the feedback voltage, and
• when the feedback voltage is greater than the first reference voltage, the light source controller is to output the dimming signal and the power control signal having a second pulse width corresponding to a voltage lower than the feedback voltage, wherein the second pulse width is narrower than the first pulse width.

A method of driving a backlight unit, the method comprising:

• comparing a feedback voltage fed back through a light emitting element with a first reference voltage;
• receiving a dimming signal;
• when the feedback voltage is lower than the first reference voltage, outputting a first feedback signal;
• when the feedback voltage is higher than the first reference voltage, outputting a second feedback signal;
• outputting the dimming signal and a power control signal corresponding to one of the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal;
• and
• providing a light source power voltage to the light emitting element based on the power control signal,
• wherein the second feedback signal has a lower voltage level than the first feedback signal.