KR20030041055A - Plasma display panel and method of driving the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A plasma display panel is provided to shorten an address period by a dual scan manner. CONSTITUTION: A sustain electrode line group is disposed in parallel on the first substrate. Data electrode lines(X) are intersected with the sustain electrode line group on the second substrate opposite to the first substrate. A plurality of bulkheads(36) are formed between the first substrate and the second substrate to provide a discharge space where a discharge gas is charged. The data electrode lines are disposed alternately at discharge regions of the bulkheads and lower parts of the bulkheads. The discharge cells are provided at intersections of the sustain electrode line group and the data electrode lines formed at the discharge regions.

Description

Plasma display panel and its driving method {PLASMA DISPLAY PANEL AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plasma display panel, and more particularly, to a plasma display panel and a driving method thereof, which shorten an address period so that a discharge sustain period can be sufficiently secured.

Recently, a plasma display panel (hereinafter referred to as PDP), which is easy to manufacture a large panel, has attracted attention as a flat panel display device. The PDP normally displays an image by adjusting the discharge period of each pixel according to the digital video data. As such a PDP, an AC type PDP having three electrodes and driven by an AC voltage is typical.

1 illustrates a discharge cell structure typically arranged in an alternating current (AC) type PDP in a matrix form. The discharge cell 30 is sequentially formed on the upper substrate 10 having the sustain electrode pairs Y and Z, the upper dielectric layer 14, and the passivation layer 16 formed on the upper substrate 10, and the lower substrate 18. A lower plate having the formed data electrode X, the lower dielectric layer 22, the partition wall 24, and the phosphor layer 26, and a discharge space filled between the upper plate and the lower plate and filled with discharge gas.

The upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 18 are spaced apart in parallel by the partition wall 24. Each of the sustain electrode pairs Y and Z has a relatively wide width and a transparent electrode 12 for transmitting visible light, and a metal electrode 13 having a relatively narrow width and compensating for the resistance component of the transparent electrode 12. Is done. The sustain electrode pairs Y and Z are composed of the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z. The scan electrode Y mainly supplies a scan signal for panel scanning and a sustain signal for sustaining discharge, and the sustain electrode Z mainly supplies a sustain signal. Charges generated by discharge are accumulated in the upper dielectric layer 14 and the lower dielectric layer 22. The protective layer 16 prevents damage to the upper dielectric layer 14 by sputtering, thereby increasing the lifetime of the PDP and increasing the emission efficiency of secondary electrons. As the protective film 16, magnesium oxide (MgO) is usually used. The dielectric layers 14 and 22 and the protective layer 16 may lower the discharge voltage applied from the outside. The data electrode X is formed to cross the storage electrode pairs Y and Z. This data electrode X supplies a data signal for selecting cells to be displayed. The partition wall 24 is formed in parallel with the data electrode X to prevent ultraviolet rays generated by the discharge from leaking to adjacent cells. The phosphor layer 26 is applied to the surfaces of the lower dielectric layer 22 and the partition wall 24 to generate visible light of any one of red, green, and blue. Then, an inert gas such as He or Xe mixed gas for gas discharge is enclosed in the discharge space between the upper and lower plates.

The PDP cell of this structure is selected by the counter discharge between the data electrode X and the scan electrode Y, and then sustains the discharge by the surface discharge between the sustain electrode pairs Y and Z. In the PDP cell, the fluorescent material 26 emits light by ultraviolet rays generated during sustain discharge, so that visible light is emitted outside the cell. As a result, the PDP having cells displays an image. In this case, the PDP implements a gray scale required for displaying an image by adjusting the discharge sustain period of the cell, that is, the number of sustain discharges, according to the video data.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a PDP in which discharge cells illustrated in FIG. 1 are arranged in a matrix form.

In FIG. 2, the discharge cells 30 are formed of the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1, the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, ZI, Zi + 1, and the data electrode lines X. In FIG. Configured at each intersection. The scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, and Yi + 1 supply the scan pulses and the sustain pulses so that the discharge cells 30 are scanned in units of lines and the discharges are maintained in the discharge cells 30. do. The sustain electrode lines (Zi-1, ZI, Zi + 1) commonly supply a sustain pulse to discharge the discharge cells 30 together with the scan electrode lines (Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1). To be maintained. The data electrode lines X1 to Xn supply data pulses synchronized with the scan pulse on a line basis so that the discharge cells 30 are selected according to the logic value of the data pulses. Each of the discharge cells 30 corresponds to each of the red, green, and blue subpixels (R, G, and B), and the three red, green, and blue subpixels (R, G, and B) arranged side by side are combined. One pixel is implemented.

As a driving method of the PDP, an ADS (Address and Display Separation) driving method for driving the PDP is divided into an address period and a display period, that is, a discharge sustain period. In the ADS driving method, as illustrated in FIG. 3, one frame 1F is divided into eight subfields SF1 to SF8 corresponding to n bits, for example, each bit of 8-bit image data, and each subfield ( SF1 to SF8 are further divided into a reset period RPD, an address period APD, and a sustain period SPD. The reset period RPD forms an initial condition to enable addressing next time. In other words, the reset period RPD causes the wall charge to be reproducibly constant just before the address period APD in order to make each cell perform a stable operation with uniform brightness. The address period APD selects cells to be turned on and cells to be turned off according to the data pulse. The sustain period SPD allows the discharge for the cells turned on in the address period APD to be maintained. The reset period RPD and the address period APD of each subfield SF1 to SF8 are the same, and in the sustain period SPD, 20 ⁰ : 2 ¹ : 2 ² :... The gray level is expressed by a combination of the sustain periods SPD by weighting a ratio of: 2 ^n-1 .

FIG. 4 is a driving waveform diagram for driving the PDP shown in FIG. 2 during one subfield period.

In the reset period RPD, the reset pulse RP is supplied to the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1. The reset pulse RP has a ramp wave shape in which a voltage increases in a set-up period and a voltage decreases in a set-down period. A reset discharge is generated in the set-up period by the reset pulse RP, so that the upper dielectric layer (i.e., around the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1) and the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1 is formed. 18, wall charges are formed. Subsequently, the charged particles are partially erased by the decreasing voltage in the set-down period of the reset pulse RP, so that the wall charge is reduced enough to help the next address discharge without causing an erroneous discharge. In order to reduce the wall charges, the positive DC voltage Vs is supplied to the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, and Zi + 1 in the set-down period of the reset pulse RP. Since the reset pulse RP is gradually supplied to the positive DC voltage Vs, the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, and Yi + 1 become the sustain electrode lines Zi during the set-down period. The negative polarity (−) relative to -1, Zi, Zi + 1), i.e., the polarity is reversed, reduces the wall charges generated during the setup period.

In the address period APD, the scan pulses SP are sequentially supplied to the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1, and the data pulses (X) are applied to the data electrode lines X in synchronization with the scan pulses SP. Supply of DP) causes address discharge. The wall charge formed by this address discharge is maintained for a period of time during which other discharge cells are addressed (APD).

At the beginning of the sustain period SPD, a sustain pulse SSUSy having a relatively wide pulse width is supplied to the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1, so that the wall charges are sufficiently formed in the address period APD. Allow sustain discharge to be initiated in the cells. Subsequently, sustain pulses SUSPz and SUSPy are alternately supplied to sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1 and scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1 to sustain period SPD. Keep the discharge discharged while

In the erase period EPD, the discharge pulse EP is commonly supplied to the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, and Zi + 1 to extinguish the discharge.

In the address period APD of such an ADS driving method, a period of about 3 ms or more is required to generate a write discharge in accordance with the data pulse DP to sufficiently form wall charges required for the next sustain discharge. Accordingly, since the scan pulse and the data pulse should have a pulse width of about 3 [mu] s or more, the address period becomes long and the sustain period is relatively insufficient, thereby causing low luminance. Furthermore, in the case of implementing a high resolution image, the address period is further increased, and gray scale is impossible due to the lack of the sustain period. For example, considering the red, green, and blue sub-pixel cells, 256 gray levels (8 bits), and 60 Hz frame frequency at a resolution of 1280 × 1024, the amount of data to be processed is 1.75 Gbits per second (1024 × 1280). × 3 × 8 × 60), 30 Mbits (1024 × 1280 × 3 × 8) per frame (16.67 ms for NTSC video signal), 30 Kbits (1280 × 3 × 8) per data electrode line, and higher resolution The more data that needs to be processed, the greater the increase. Accordingly, when the resolution is increased, it becomes impossible to display all data within a limited time by the conventional address method.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a PDP and a driving method thereof which can shorten an address period by dual scanning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cell constructed in a conventional three-electrode alternating current surface discharge type PDP.

FIG. 2 is an electrode arrangement diagram of a PDP composed of the cells shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

3 is a frame diagram illustrating a subfield driving method for driving the PDP shown in FIG. 2;

4 is a driving waveform diagram of the PDP shown in FIG. 2;

5 is an electrode arrangement of the PDP according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the PDP shown in FIG. 5 taken along line AA ′. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a drive waveform diagram of the PDP shown in FIG. 5; FIG.

8 is an electrode arrangement of the PDP according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Brief description of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10, 38: upper substrate 12, 32, 50: transparent electrode

13, 34, 52: metal electrode 14, 40: upper dielectric layer

16, 42: protective film 18, 44: lower substrate

22. 46: lower dielectric layer 24, 36, 54: partition wall

26, 48: phosphor 30: discharge cell

Y: scan electrode Z: sustain electrode

X: address electrode

In order to achieve the above object, the PDP according to the present invention and the storage electrode line group disposed side by side on the first substrate; Data electrode lines disposed on the second substrate facing the first substrate to intersect the storage electrode line group; Barrier ribs formed between the first and second substrates to provide a discharge space in which the discharge gas is filled; The data electrode lines are alternately arranged in a predetermined unit between the discharge area between the partition walls and the lower partition walls; The discharge cells are provided at intersections between the sustain electrode line group and the data electrode lines formed in the discharge region.

Here, the 2m data electrode lines are alternately arranged at the lower portion of the discharge area and the partition wall for each horizontal line including m discharge cells.

The odd-numbered data electrode lines of the data electrode lines are disposed in the discharge region, and the even-numbered data electrode lines are located below the partition wall in the odd-numbered horizontal lines of the horizontal lines, and the even-numbered electrode lines in the even-numbered horizontal lines In the discharge region, odd-numbered data electrode lines are positioned under the partition wall.

In particular, the partition wall is characterized in that it has a form of any one of the stripe type and honeycomb type.

Here, each of the discharge cells corresponds to each of red, green, and blue subpixels, and when the partition wall has a stripe shape, the same color subpixels among the subpixels are arranged in a vertical direction.

On the other hand, each of the discharge cells corresponds to each of red, green, and blue subpixels, and when the partition wall has a honeycomb shape, the same color subpixels among the subpixels are arranged in an oblique direction.

In addition, the portion formed in the discharge region and the portion formed below the partition of the data electrode line has the same line width and thickness.

In contrast, at least one of a line width and a thickness of the portion formed in the discharge region of the data electrode line is greater than that formed under the partition wall.

In addition, the first substrate and the second dielectric layer formed on the first substrate on which the storage electrode line group is formed and the second substrate on which the data electrode lines are formed to accumulate charged particles generated by discharge in the discharge space; A protective film formed to protect the first dielectric layer; And a phosphor formed on the surfaces of the second dielectric layer and the partition wall to emit visible light by ultraviolet rays generated by the discharge in the discharge space.

In the PDP driving method according to the present invention, the PDP includes a group of sustain electrode lines on a first substrate and data electrode lines on a second substrate, and discharge regions between partitions formed between the first and second substrates. Alternately arranged under and bulkheads; The discharge cells provided at intersections of the sustain electrode line group and the data electrode lines formed in the discharge region; A reset step of initializing discharge cells; An address step of causing an address discharge to occur in units of two horizontal lines each of the horizontal lines formed of discharge cells; And a discharge maintaining step of maintaining the discharge only in the discharge cells in which the address discharge has been generated.

Wherein the 2m data electrode lines are alternately arranged at the lower portion of the discharge region and the partition wall for each horizontal line including m discharge cells; In the address step, data signals are supplied to the odd horizontal lines of the two horizontal lines by the odd data electrode lines positioned in their discharge regions, and the even-numbered electrodes positioned in the discharge regions of the even horizontal lines. The data signal is supplied by the lines.

In particular, the barrier rib has a stripe shape, and the same color subpixels among the red, green, and blue subpixels corresponding to each of the discharge cells are arranged in the vertical direction; Each of the data electrode lines is supplied with the same color data signal every horizontal period.

In contrast, the partition wall has a honeycomb shape, and same color subpixels among red, green, and blue subpixels corresponding to each of the discharge cells are arranged in an oblique direction; Each of the data electrode lines is supplied with a different color data signal every horizontal period.

In addition, the erase step may further include an erase step of erasing all wall charges by supplying erase pulses to all discharge cells.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention in addition to the above object will become apparent from the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

5 is a plan view showing a portion of a PDP according to the present invention. The PDP of FIG. 5 includes a sustain electrode group including scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1 and sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, and Zi + 1 formed side by side, and a sustain electrode group. Barrier ribs 36 arranged alternately with data electrode lines X formed alternately between the barrier ribs 36 and along the lower portion of the barrier ribs 36.

The scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1 and the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1 each have a relatively wide width and a relatively narrow width. It is composed of a metal electrode 34 having a lower portion of the transparent electrode 32. The scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, and Yi + 1 supply the scan pulses and the sustain pulses so that the discharge cells are scanned in units of dual lines, and the discharges are maintained in the discharge cells selected in the address period. The sustain electrode lines (Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1) commonly supply a sustain pulse to maintain the discharge in the discharge cells together with the scan electrode lines (Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1). .

The partitions 36 are formed in a stripe shape to be orthogonal to the sustain electrode group, thereby preventing interference between discharge cells adjacent in the horizontal direction.

The data electrode lines X are successively formed between the partition walls 36, that is, the discharge region and the lower portions of the partition walls 36, for each horizontal line including the discharge cells. In other words, when the data electrode line X is positioned in the discharge region in the i-1 th horizontal line Li-1, the data electrode line X overlaps the partition 36 in the next i-th horizontal line Li, which is located below the i-th horizontal line Li-1. Will be located. As such, the positions of the data electrode lines X alternate with the discharge region and the partition 36 under each horizontal line are repeated as the horizontal lines progress. Accordingly, the number of data electrode lines X is increased twice as compared with the conventional art. As a result, each of the vertical discharge cell lines receives the data voltage signal through the two data electrode lines X, unlike the conventional data voltage signal through the one data electrode line X.

For example, the odd-numbered data electrode lines Xodd of the data electrode lines X supply a data voltage signal to discharge cells constituting the odd-numbered horizontal lines Lodd. At the same time, the even-numbered data electrode lines Xeven supply the data voltage signal to the discharge cells forming the even-numbered horizontal lines Leven. In other words, the discharge cells of the odd-numbered horizontal line Lodd and the even-numbered horizontal line Leven are adjacent to the odd-numbered data electrode lines Xodd and the even-numbered data electrode lines Xeven without signal interference. At the same time, the data voltage signal is supplied. Here, the odd-numbered and even-numbered data electrode lines Xodd and Xeven included in one vertical line supply the same color data signal. As a result, since dual scanning is possible in which two address lines are simultaneously generated in two horizontal lines adjacent to each other up and down, the address time can be reduced to 1/2 of the conventional one. In this case, the line width or thickness of the data electrode line X is equally set in the discharge region or the lower part of the partition 36, or a portion located in the discharge region is larger than a portion located below the partition 36 to increase the discharge efficiency. It is set to have a line width or thickness.

Discharges at every intersection of the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1 and the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1 and the data electrode lines X having such a structure Each of the cells corresponds to each of the red, green, and blue subpixels (R, G, and B), and a single pixel includes three red, green, and blue subpixels (R, G, and B) arranged side by side. Is implemented. Each of the red, green, and blue subpixels R, G, and B is arranged in a stripe shape such that the vertical line is composed of the same color subpixels.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the PDP shown in FIG. 5 taken along line AA ′. The PDP shown in FIG. 6 is a top plate having sustain electrode lines 32 and 34, an upper dielectric layer 40, and a passivation layer 42 sequentially formed on the upper substrate 38, and the lower substrate 44. And a lower space having a data electrode line X, a lower dielectric layer 46, a partition 36, and a phosphor layer 48 formed between the upper and lower plates, and a discharge space filled with a discharge gas.

The upper substrate 38 and the lower substrate 44 are spaced in parallel by the partition 36. The sustain electrode lines 32 and 34 include a transparent electrode 32 for transmitting visible light and a metal electrode 34 for compensating for the resistance component of the transparent electrode 34. Charges generated by discharge are accumulated in the upper dielectric layer 40 and the lower dielectric layer 46. The passivation layer 42 prevents damage to the upper dielectric layer 40 by sputtering, thereby increasing the lifetime of the PDP and increasing the emission efficiency of secondary electrons. As the protective film 42, magnesium oxide (MgO) is usually used. The dielectric layers 40 and 46 and the passivation layer 42 may lower the discharge voltage applied from the outside. The partition 36 is formed in parallel with the data electrode line X to prevent ultraviolet rays generated by the discharge from leaking to adjacent cells. As the data electrode line X is alternately positioned below the discharge region and the partition walls 36, both of the discharge region and the partition wall 36 exist in the cross-sectional structure. Here, the portion of the data electrode line X located in the discharge region is set to have the same line width or thickness as the portion located below the barrier 36, or the portion of the data electrode line X used in the address discharge is located in the discharge region. It may be set to have a larger line width or thickness than the portion located under the 36). The phosphor layer 48 is applied to the surfaces of the lower dielectric layer 46 and the partition 36 to generate visible light of any one of red, green, and blue. Then, an inert gas such as He or Xe mixed gas for gas discharge is enclosed in the discharge space between the upper and lower plates.

FIG. 7 is a driving waveform diagram illustrating the PDP driving method shown in FIG. 5.

In Fig. 7, all of the scan electrode lines (Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1) have a step at a voltage of Vs and have a peak pulse of Vr for a full write discharge operation in the reset period RPD. The pulse RP is supplied. The front write discharge occurs while minimizing the amount of light due to the increasing voltage during the setup period of the reset pulse RP, and thus the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1 and the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi. , Wall charges are formed in the upper dielectric layer 40 around Zi + 1). Subsequently, the charged particles are partially erased by the decreasing voltage in the set-down period of the reset pulse RP, so that the wall charge is reduced enough to help the next address discharge without causing an erroneous discharge. In the set-down period of the reset pulse RP, a predetermined positive DC voltage is supplied to the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, and Zi + 1 to adjust the wall charge amount.

In the address period APD, the scan pulses SP are supplied in units of two scan electrode lines, and the data pulses DP for two lines through different data electrode lines X are synchronized with the scan pulses SP. Is supplied to generate an address discharge. For example, the scan pulse SP is simultaneously supplied to the i-th scan electrode line Yi and the even-numbered i + 1th scan electrode line Yi + 1 for one horizontal period (1H). At the same time, the data signal of the i-th horizontal line Li is supplied through the odd-numbered data lines Xodd positioned in the discharge region of the i-th horizontal line Li of the data lines X, and i The data signal of the i + 1 th horizontal line Li + 1 is supplied through even-numbered data lines Xeven positioned in the discharge region of the +1 th horizontal line Li + 1. As a result, address discharge is generated in accordance with the logic value of the data signal in the i-th horizontal line Li and the i + 1-th horizontal line Li + 1 that are adjacent to each other. The wall charge formed by this address discharge is maintained for the period APD in which the other discharge cells are addressed in the dual scan as above. Due to this dual scanning, the address period APD is reduced to 1/2 of the conventional one.

At the beginning of the sustain period SPD, a sustain pulse SUSPy having a relatively wide pulse width is simultaneously supplied to the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1 to sufficiently wall charge in the address period APD. The sustain discharge is started in the discharge cells in which is formed. Subsequently, the sustain pulses SUSPz and SUSPy are alternately supplied to the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1 and the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1. Sustain discharge during SPD).

In the erase period EPD subsequent to the sustain period SPD, the erase pulse EP is supplied to the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, and Zi + 1 to generate an erase discharge, thereby causing the discharge cells to be discharged. Allow existing wall charges to be erased.

As described above, in the PDP according to the present invention, since the data electrode lines X are alternately positioned in the discharge area and the lower part of the partition 36 for each horizontal line, the dual periods are possible, thereby reducing the address period APD to 1/2. Can be reduced. The discharge sustain period SPD is sufficiently secured for the reduced address period APD so that the luminance can be improved. Furthermore, even when the resolution is increased, the gray scale can be realized by securing the discharge sustain period SPD.

8 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a PDP according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The PDP of FIG. 8 has a sustain electrode group including scan electrode lines (Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1) and sustain electrode lines (Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1) formed side by side, and formed in a hexagonal shape. Barrier ribs 54 and data electrode lines X formed between the barrier ribs 54 and along the lower portion of the barrier ribs 54.

Each of the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1 and the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1 has a relatively wide width and a relatively narrow width. And a metal electrode 52 formed below the transparent electrode 50. The scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, and Yi + 1 supply the scan pulses and the sustain pulses so that the discharge cells are scanned in units of dual lines, and the discharges are maintained in the discharge cells selected in the address period. The sustain electrode lines (Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1) commonly supply a sustain pulse to maintain the discharge in the discharge cells together with the scan electrode lines (Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1). .

The partition wall 54 is formed in a hexagonal structure so that each of the discharge cells has a honeycomb discharge space.

The data electrode lines X are formed in a stripe shape so as to alternate between the discharge region and the lower portion of the partition wall 54 for each horizontal line. In other words, when the data electrode line X is located in the discharge region in the i-1 th horizontal line Li-1, the data electrode line X overlaps the partition wall 54 in the next i-th horizontal line Li, which is located below the i-th horizontal line Li-1. Will be located. In this way, the positions of the data electrode lines X alternate with the discharge region and the partition 54 under each horizontal line are repeated as the horizontal lines progress. Accordingly, the number of data electrode lines X is increased twice as compared with the conventional art. As a result, each of the vertical discharge cell lines receives the data voltage signal through the two data electrode lines X, unlike the conventional data voltage signal through the one data electrode line X.

For example, the odd data electrode lines Xodd among the data electrode lines X supply a data voltage signal to discharge cells constituting the odd horizontal lines Lodd. At the same time, the even-numbered data electrode lines Xeven supply the data voltage signal to the discharge cells forming the even-numbered horizontal lines Leven. In other words, the discharge cells of the odd-numbered horizontal line Lodd and the even-numbered horizontal line Leven are adjacent to the odd-numbered data electrode lines Xodd and even-numbered data electrode lines Xeven without signal interference. At the same time, the data voltage signal is supplied. As a result, since dual scanning is possible in which two address lines are simultaneously generated in two horizontal lines adjacent to each other up and down, the address time can be reduced to 1/2 of the conventional one. In this case, the line width or thickness of the data electrode line X is equally set in the discharge region or the lower portion of the partition wall 54, or the portion located in the discharge region is larger than the portion located below the partition wall 54 in order to increase the discharge efficiency. It is set to have a line width or thickness.

Scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1 and sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1 having such a structure and the data electrode lines X positioned in the discharge region Each of the discharge cells provided at each intersection corresponds to each of the red, green, and blue subpixels (R, G, and B), and the three red, green, and blue subpixels (R, G, and B) arranged side by side are provided. One pixel is implemented in combination. As the red, green, and blue subpixels R, G, and B each have a honeycomb shape and are arranged without unnecessary space with adjacent subpixels, the same color subpixels are positioned diagonally. Accordingly, unlike the case where the same color subpixels are positioned in the vertical direction as in the PDP shown in FIG. 5, the corresponding color of the data signal supplied to each of the data lines X is changed for each horizontal line.

In detail, when the same color subpixels are arranged in a line along the vertical direction as in the PDP shown in FIG. 5, each of the data lines X extending in the vertical direction drives only the same color subpixels. The same color data signal is supplied. On the other hand, when the same color subpixels are arranged diagonally, as shown in the PDP shown in FIG. Different signals will be supplied. In this case, the odd-numbered data line Xodd driving the dual-scanned odd-numbered horizontal line Lodd and the even-numbered data line Xeven driving the even-numbered horizontal line Leven supply the same color data signal. For example, the radix data line Xodd included in the red subpixel R of the i-th horizontal line Li, which is the radix, and the red subpixel of the i + 1th horizontal line Li + 1, which is the even-numbered number, are included. The even-numbered data line Xeven included in (R) simultaneously supplies the same red data signal for one horizontal period.

The PDP having such a configuration includes the transparent electrode 50, the metal electrode 34, the upper dielectric layer 40, and the passivation layer 42 of the sustain electrode group sequentially formed on the upper substrate 38 as shown in FIG. 6. ) An upper plate having a bottom plate, a lower plate having a data electrode line X, a lower dielectric layer 46, a partition wall 54, and a phosphor layer 48 sequentially formed on the lower substrate 44, between the upper plate and the lower plate. It is provided with a discharge space filled with the discharge gas. In addition, the upper plate driving waveform for driving the PDP shown in FIG. 8 is as shown in FIG. 7.

Specifically, in the reset period RPD, the reset pulse RP is supplied to the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1, so that the entire write discharge occurs in all the discharge cells in the set-up period. At this time, the wall charge is reduced enough to help the next address discharge without causing an erroneous discharge. In the set down period, a predetermined DC voltage is supplied to the storage electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, and Zi + 1 to adjust the wall charge amount.

In the address period APD, the scan pulses SP are supplied in units of two scan electrode lines, and the data pulses DP for two lines through different data electrode lines X are synchronized with the scan pulses SP. Is supplied to generate an address discharge. For example, the scan pulse SP is simultaneously supplied to the i-th scan electrode line Yi and the even-numbered i + 1th scan electrode line Yi + 1 for one horizontal period (1H). At the same time, the data signal of the i-th horizontal line Li is supplied through the odd-numbered data lines Xodd positioned in the discharge region of the i-th horizontal line Li of the data lines X, and i The data signal of the i + 1 th horizontal line Li + 1 is supplied through even-numbered data lines Xeven positioned in the discharge region of the +1 th horizontal line Li + 1. As a result, an address discharge is generated at the i-th horizontal line Li and the i + 1th horizontal line Li + 1 simultaneously according to the logic value of the data signal. The wall charge formed by this address discharge is maintained for a period of time during which the other discharge cells are addressed in the dual scan as described above. Due to this dual scanning, the address period APD is reduced to 1/2 of the conventional one.

At the beginning of the sustain period SPD, a sustain pulse of a wider pulse width is relatively wider than the scan electrode lines Yi-1, Yi, Yi + 1 and the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, Zi + 1. Starting with SUSPy, the sustain pulses SUSPz and SUSPy are alternately supplied to maintain the sustain discharge during the sustain period SPD.

In the erase period EPD subsequent to the sustain period SPD, the erase pulse EP is supplied to the sustain electrode lines Zi-1, Zi, and Zi + 1 to generate an erase discharge, thereby causing the discharge cells to be discharged. Allow existing wall charges to be erased.

As described above, the PDP according to the present invention includes a honeycomb-shaped partition wall 54 and data electrode lines X alternately positioned at the lower portion of the discharge area and the partition wall 36 for each horizontal line, thereby enabling dual inter-week addressing ( APD) can be reduced to 1/2 compared to the conventional. The discharge organic period SPD is sufficiently secured by the reduced address period APD so that the luminance can be improved. Furthermore, even when the resolution is increased, the gray scale can be realized by securing the discharge sustain period SPD.

As described above, in the PDP and the driving method thereof according to the present invention, since the data electrode lines are alternately positioned in the discharge area and the lower part of the partition wall for each horizontal line, the dual periods are possible, so that the address period can be reduced to 1/2 of the conventional one. do. Accordingly, in the PDP and the driving method thereof according to the present invention, the discharge sustain period SPD is sufficiently secured for the reduced address period, thereby improving the luminance. Furthermore, in the PDP and the driving method thereof according to the present invention, even when the resolution is increased, the discharge sustaining period can be secured by dual scanning, so that sufficient gradation can be realized.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (14)

In the plasma display panel including a plurality of discharge cells, A storage electrode line group disposed side by side on the first substrate; Data electrode lines disposed on the second substrate facing the first substrate to intersect the storage electrode line group; Barrier ribs formed between the first and second substrates to provide a discharge space in which discharge gas is filled; The data electrode lines are alternately disposed in a predetermined unit between the discharge area between the partitions and the lower part of the partitions; And the discharge cells are provided at intersections of the sustain electrode line group and the data electrode lines formed in the discharge region. The method of claim 1, And 2m data electrode lines are alternately arranged in the discharge area and the lower portion of the partition wall for every horizontal line including m discharge cells. The method of claim 2, In the odd-numbered horizontal lines of the horizontal lines, odd-numbered data electrode lines of the data electrode lines are positioned in the discharge region, and even-numbered data electrode lines are located below the barrier rib, And the even-numbered electrode lines are positioned in the discharge region, and the odd-numbered data electrode lines are disposed below the barrier rib in the even-numbered horizontal line. The method of claim 1, The partition wall has a plasma display panel, characterized in that any one of the form of a stripe type. The method of claim 4, wherein Each of the discharge cells corresponds to a red, green, and blue subpixel, respectively. And the same color subpixels of the subpixels are arranged in a vertical direction when the barrier rib is in the stripe shape. The method of claim 4, wherein Each of the discharge cells corresponds to a red, green, and blue subpixel, respectively. And the same color subpixels among the subpixels are arranged in an oblique direction when the partition wall is in the honeycomb form. The method of claim 1, And a portion formed in the discharge region of the data electrode line and a portion formed under the partition wall have the same line width and thickness. The method of claim 1, And at least one of a line width and a thickness of a portion of the data electrode line formed in the discharge region is larger than a portion formed under the partition wall. The method of claim 1, First and second dielectric layers respectively formed on the first substrate on which the storage electrode line group is formed and on the second substrate on which the data electrode lines are formed to accumulate charged particles generated by discharge in the discharge space; A protective film formed to protect the first dielectric layer; And a phosphor formed on surfaces of the second dielectric layer and the partition wall to emit visible light by ultraviolet rays generated by discharge in the discharge space. In a driving method of a plasma display panel including a plurality of discharge cells, The plasma display panel includes a group of storage electrode lines on a first substrate and data electrode lines on a second substrate, and discharge regions and partition walls between partitions formed between the first and second substrates. Alternately arranged in the lower part; The discharge cells provided at intersections of the sustain electrode line group and the data electrode line formed in the discharge region; A reset step of initializing the discharge cells; An address step of causing an address discharge to occur in units of two horizontal lines of the horizontal lines formed of the discharge cells; And a discharge holding step of maintaining the discharge only in the discharge cells in which the address discharge has been generated. The method of claim 10, 2m data electrode lines are alternately arranged in the discharge region and the lower part of the partition wall for each horizontal line including m discharge cells; In the addressing step, data signals are supplied to the odd horizontal lines of the two horizontal lines by odd data electrode lines located in their discharge regions, and the even horizontal lines are located in their discharge regions in the even horizontal lines. And a data signal is supplied by the second electrode lines. The method of claim 10, The barrier rib has a stripe shape, and the same color subpixels among red, green, and blue subpixels corresponding to each of the discharge cells are arranged in a vertical direction; And the same color data signal is supplied to each of the data electrode lines every horizontal period. The method of claim 10, The partition wall has a honeycomb shape and same color subpixels among red, green, and blue subpixels corresponding to each of the discharge cells are arranged in an oblique direction; And a different color data signal is supplied to each of the data electrode lines every horizontal period. The method of claim 10, And an erasing step of erasing all wall charges by supplying an erase pulse to all the discharge cells after the sustaining step.