Floating addressing system for gas panel

Abstract

A system for addressing and controlling a gaseous discharge display or memory device is adapted for intercommunication between a processor or controller, control logic and panel driving circuits in a gaseous discharge display system. By application of write and systain signals to selected transverse conductors disposed on opposite sides of a gas filled panel, selected sites positioned at conductor intersections are discharged, emitting light, and the resultant display maintained by the wall charge phenomenon and sustain signals. Logic circuits and panel drive circuits are electrically floated on the sustain voltage for the panel whereby the sustain signal provides a common reference, thus permitting the use of low voltage circuits particularly adapted to integrated circuit packaging. Coupling means are employed to isolate the signals from the logic control from the panel selection, control and drive circuits, permitting control of the high voltage panel operation by low level coded signals. By utilizing a pulsed supply for line drivers rather than a fixed power supply, power and heat dissipation are further reduced, thereby facilitating integrated circuit packaging. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is adapted to write, sustain and erase a gaseous discharge panel.