Column driver output amplifier with low quiescent power consumption for field emission display devices

Within a field emission display having a plurality of row lines, a plurality of column lines, and a plurality of electron-emissive elements disposed at intersections of said plurality of row and column lines, electronic circuitry comprising:

• a row driver coupled to said plurality of row lines, said row driver for driving row voltages over said plurality of row lines;
• and
• a plurality of column driver amplifiers for driving column voltages over said plurality of column lines, wherein said plurality of column driver amplifiers each further comprises:
• an input for receiving an input voltage signal;
• an output coupled to a respective one of said plurality of column lines, said output for driving an output voltage signal over said respective column line;
• a voltage sensing circuit for monitoring a voltage differential between said input voltage signal and said output voltage signal;
• a quiescent current source coupled to said voltage sensing circuit to provide a bias current during a quiescent condition;
• and
• a current-boosting circuit responsive to said voltage differential and coupled to said voltage sensing circuit for providing additional bias current when said input voltage signal changes for increasing a slew rate of said output voltage signal.

A field emission display comprising:

• a plurality of row lines, a plurality of column lines, and a plurality of electron-emissive elements disposed at intersections of said plurality of row lines and column lines;
• a row driver coupled to said plurality of row lines, said row driver for driving row voltages over said plurality of row lines;
• and
• a plurality of column driver amplifiers for driving column voltages over said plurality of column lines, wherein said plurality of column driver amplifiers each further comprises:
• an input for receiving an input voltage signal;
• an output for providing an output voltage signal;
• a voltage sensing circuit for monitoring a voltage differential between said input voltage signal and said output voltage signal;
• a quiescent current source coupled to said voltage sensing circuit to provide a bias current during a quiescent condition;
• and
• a current-boosting circuit responsive to said voltage differential and coupled to said voltage sensing circuit for providing additional bias current when said input voltage signal changes to increase a slew rate of said output voltage signal.