Pixel test in a liquid crystal on silicon chip
AssigneeFinisar Corporation
InventorsJonathan B. Ashbrook, Lionel Li, Brian R. Carey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example embodiment includes a continuity testing method of a pixel in a liquid crystal on silicon integrated circuit. The method includes writing a first voltage to a pixel. The pixel is isolated and a wire that is selectively coupled to the pixel is discharged. The method also includes enabling a sensing amplifier configured to sense voltage on the wire. The pixel is electrically coupled to the wire and a resultant voltage on the wire is sensed.
Claims20
A continuity testing method of a pixel in a liquid crystal on silicon integrated circuit including a pixel continuity testing system having a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels includes an NMOS/PMOS complementary switch and a metal insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, the method comprising:
- writing a first voltage to a first pixel of the plurality of pixels, the writing the first voltage including closing a first pixel switch that selectively couples the first pixel to a wire and closing a yank up switch that couples the wire to a first voltage source such that a voltage of the first voltage source is applied through the yank up switch to the first pixel via the first pixel switch;
- isolating the first pixel;
- discharging a wire that is selectively coupled to the first pixel via the first pixel switch;
- enabling a sensing amplifier configured to sense voltages on the wire;
- electrically coupling the first pixel to the wire while isolating the wire from all other pixels of the plurality of pixels;
- and
- sensing a resultant voltage on the wire.
A pixel continuity testing system of a liquid crystal on silicon integrated circuit, the system comprising:
- a first pixel;
- a second pixel, wherein each of the first pixel and the second pixel includes an NMOS/PMOS complementary switch and a metal insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor;
- a first wire selectively coupled to the first pixel via a first pixel switch, the first wire also selectively coupled to the second pixel via a second pixel switch;
- a yank structure including a yank up switch configured to couple the first wire to a first voltage source and a yank down switch configured to couple the first wire to a second voltage source;
- and
- a sensing amplifier configured to be selectively coupled to the first wire via a sensing amplifier switch and configured to sense a first resultant voltage on the first wire from the first pixel following the closure of the first pixel switch and to sense a second resultant voltage on the wire from the second pixel following the closure of the second pixel switch.
A liquid crystal on silicon integrated circuit comprising:
- a plurality of pixels including a first pixel, a second pixel, a third pixel, and a fourth pixel, wherein each of the first pixel, the second pixel, the third pixel, and the fourth pixel includes an NMOS/PMOS complementary switch and a metal insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor;
- a first column wire selectively coupled to the first pixel via a first pixel switch and selectively coupled to the second pixel via a second pixel switch;
- a second column wire selectively coupled to the third pixel via a third pixel switch and selectively coupled to the fourth pixel via a fourth pixel switch;
- a yank structure including a yank up switch configured to couple the first and second column wires to a first voltage source and a yank down switch configured to couple the first and second column wires to an electrical ground;
- a first row wire selectively coupled to the first pixel switch and selectively coupled to the third pixel switch;
- a second row wire selectively coupled to the second pixel switch and selectively coupled to the fourth pixel switch;
- a first sensing amplifier configured to sense a resultant voltage on the first column wire;
- and
- a second sensing amplifier configured to sense a resultant voltage on the second column wire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.