Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Plasma Display Panels

with the Oscilloscope

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Plasma Display Technology using the Oscilloscope

Introduction

The most versatile diagnostic tool we have available to us as Technicians is the Oscilloscope
but it is probably the least used piece of equipment in the Service Center. This presentation is
an attempt at explaining and illustrating the use of the Scope to decrease the diagnostic time
and increase the production and the revenue for the Service Centers. As prices fall on the
Consumer Electronics Products we need to more accurately and quickly determine which
circuits are working and which have failed, changing multiple circuit boards at one time will
become cost prohibitive as the prices of product continue to fall. The Oscilloscope when used in
conjunction with the Volt Meter will greatly improve the chances of a first time repair without
costly repeat service calls which inconvenience the Customer and drain revenues from the
Service Centers.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting

This Section will cover Amplitude, Time and Frequency, Duty Cycle, and Phasing

The Oscilloscope gives us more information about what is happening in a circuit then any
other piece of test equipment we have. In this Section we will look at some of the things the
Scope is telling us and see how we can utilize this information to quickly isolate a circuit
failure.

First we will look at the basic operation and adjustments and how to set them to obtain a
useful display.

We will use some examples and some simple calculations to give us more insight to the
operation of the circuit we are testing for figuring Frequency once we have determined Time.
The difference between Duty Cycle and Frequency will be explored, as will the relationship
between Drive Signals on separate circuit boards, by checking the Phasing of the those Signals.

When we finish this Section the technician should understand what Amplitude, Frequency,
Duty Cycle, and Phasing mean when used for Troubleshooting.

CAUTION: When using the Oscilloscope we must be cautious of where we put our ground. If
working on the Primary Side of the Power Supply, we must use an Isolation Transformer.
Never connect the Oscilloscope Ground to a Floating Ground as damage can occur. When
Troubleshooting an LG Plasma Display use the metal Frame of the Chassis for Ground.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Voltage and Time Adjustment Troubleshooting

This Section will cover the Basic Operation and Adjustments for using the Oscilloscope

The function of an Oscilloscope is to draw a Graph of Voltage against Time with

Voltage on the Vertical or Y-Axis and Time on the Horizontal or X-Axis.

Voltage

Time

The Oscilloscope Screen has 8 squares Y-Axis and

10 squares on the X-Axis. The Grid is made of 1 CM squares.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Voltage and Time Adjustment Troubleshooting

Typical Control Panel for Dual Trace Oscilloscope consisting of both

Y-Axis Voltage adjustment and X-Axis Time adjustment.

Vertical Position Control Horizontal Position Control

adjusts the display position on adjusts the display position on the
Vertical Plane Horizontal Plane

Volts/Div Control adjusts the

Horizontal or X-Axis Time
Amplitude of the waveform being
measurement measured in
displayed in the Vertical Plane .
Seconds, Milli-Seconds or
Micro-Seconds/cm
Voltage is measured in either
volts/cm or milli-volts/cm

ms
v mv s μs

Frequency can be obtained by taking the reciprocal of time F = 1/T

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting
Oscilloscope Triggering

The Triggering determines when the oscilloscope starts to acquire data and
Display a waveform. When the Trigger is set correctly the Oscilloscope converts
unstable displays or blank screens into useful waveforms.

HF gives Triggering to high frequency signals and LF gives Triggering to low frequency signals.
Delay introduces a delay relative to the Trigger Point so a different part of the signal can be seen.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Probe Compensation Troubleshooting

Under compensated

Normal

Overcompensated

Before getting started, remember to check the Probe Compensation Adjustment.

Connect the Oscilloscope Probe to the test jack and adjust the screw adjustment on
the Probe to square the waveform as seen in the upper right figure.

Test Jack

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Frequency / Duty Cycle Troubleshooting

The Oscilloscope provides the Technician with Amplitude, Timing, Duty Cycle, DC level as
well as Phasing when compared to another known signal. The example in Fig. 1 illustrates a
waveform with a Duty Cycle of 50% the Amplitude is 40VPP (4 squares vertical @ 10v/ Div.)
the Time for 1 Cycle is 60μs (6 squares @ 10μs/division horizontal) a simple calculation
Freq. = 1/T reveals the Frequency of Approx 16KHz.

Fig 1 Fig 2

VOLTS/DIV = 10V
SEC/DIV = 10µs

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Duty Cycle Troubleshooting

The change in the waveform in Fig 3 indicates a change in Duty Cycle with the Timing of the
Positive and Negative half cycles being different but the Frequency staying the same. Failure
of circuits that require a 50% Duty Cycle (matched Power Output Circuit) requiring “ on / off ”
times of equal duration can be located by checking for proper Duty Cycle. When “ on / off “
times are not Identical circuit failures will occur, this can be found using the Oscilloscope!
FIG 3

VOLTS/DIV = 10V
SEC/DIV = 10µs

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Frequency Troubleshooting

The Waveform in Fig 4 has the same Voltage and Time settings as previously used but we have
twice as many cycles. This indicates a change in Frequency, the Duty Cycle is at 50% but
Frequency has increased because the Time Duration of each cycle has decreased. As Time
decreases Frequency increases, each cycle is now 30μs in duration and by calculating the
Frequency F = 1/T we can determine the increase in Frequency to Approx 33KHz

FIG 4

VOLTS/DIV = 10V
SEC/DIV = 10µs

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting
Phasing

Phasing allows us to see the Time Relationship at which two different Signals occur
and be able to determine that they are occurring at the proper times. This function can be very
helpful when troubleshooting loss of color in TV because the color burst signal will occur during
the Horizontal Retrace Time a quick check of the signals will often reveal the problem.

The usefulness of this Test in Plasma Troubleshooting is also helpful when comparing
Y SUS and Z SUS Drive Waveforms, below is an example of both a Normal and Abnormal
Waveform, note the differences in each.

Y SUS Z SUS Y SUS Z SUS

Comparison of the Illustrations
show the Amplitude of the
waveforms displayed to be equal.
The Oscilloscope reveals the
problem to be a failure of the Z
Board. The voltmeter would not
have diagnosed the failure!

Waveforms shown on the right

result in no raster condition

Normal Phase Relationship Abnormal Phase Relationship

Between Y and Z SUS Waveforms Between the Y and Z SUS Waveforms

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Phasing Troubleshooting

Phasing can also be plotted on a Graph of Voltage to Voltage in what is called Vector or
XY Mode the input to each channel drives the beam Vertically on one channel and
Horizontally on the other channel. The waveform shown below represents what should occur
if the Micro-Processor Circuit Resets. Vcc should occur first driving the Beam Vertically and
when Reset occurs the rise in voltage drives the beam Horizontally.

Stereo Sound since each

Audio channel is different
results in a circle pattern
on the screen. A Mono
Audio Pattern would look
like a 45° line on the Screen
since both channels are in
Phase.

In this Example, channel 1 is connected to VCC and channel 2 in connected to Reset. Reset being an active low occurs
after the VCC Supply is present, in this manner Reset can be confirmed! Failure to Reset would result in both lines going
high at the same time resulting in a line displayed on the screen at a 45° angle.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting
Checking DC Voltage
DC Voltage can be checked by first grounding the scope probe and setting the
Vertical Position Control at a reference point, setting the volts p/cm at the level expected
to be measured and connecting to the circuit under test. The DC level can then be
determined by counting the offset deflection of the pattern in the Y-Axis or Vertical Plane.
The advantage of the Scope is you can also see any noise that may be present as a
result of a circuit failure.

At a setting of 1v/cm the Oscilloscope Display in indicating a 5v DC Level

any noise present would be located at the 5v level. Once again a Meter would not confirm this failure.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Normal Waveforms Troubleshooting

In this Section, we will look at the waveforms for a working Display Panel as compared to
a Display Panel with a circuit failure. We will analyze the problem waveform to determine
which board is at fault. When we finish this Section the Technician should be able to
quickly recognize which circuit has failed by observing the Scope waveform.

Scope Setting as follows:

Y SUS 100v/cm x100 probe Z SUS 50v/cm x10 probe

50μs 50µs
Y SUS 450vpp Z SUS 200vpp Y SUS and Z SUS

The above waveforms are from a working 60” Plasma Display the Y SUS and Z SUS
Waveforms are illustrated separately and together as they actually occur. These two
Waveforms are independent of each other meaning one could be present with out the other.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting
Y SUS Failure

This Screen shows a failure has occurred on the Y SUS Board, with this check there is no Picture
the unit has Sound and there was no “Reset” of the Panel visible at turn on. The Z SUS
waveform looks normal so there is no need to replace the Z Board for this failure. Be sure to
check the Y Drive Boards before replacing the Y SUS for possibility of a failure.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting
Z SUS Failure
The Waveforms on this screen suggest a failure has occurred on the Z SUS Board. The Y SUS
signal is normal the Z SUS signal is tracking the Y SUS. This symptom would result in a no
Picture, no Raster, or “Reset” Symptom. The Y SUS waveform is normal so there would be no
need to replace the Y SUS Board for this problem. IPM Failure, Loss of 5v or Logic Input from
the Control Board results in this waveform.

Protection Diodes in the Output Stage of the Z Board if shorted would result in a Flat
Line waveform, indicating a short to Ground or the VS voltage

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting
VS Power Supply Failure

This screen is indicating that both the Y SUS and Z SUS waveforms are incorrect. This failure
is affecting the operation of both circuits, a check of the Supply Voltages indicates we lost
the VS Voltage (open VS Fuse on the Y SUS Board). In this case, we had no raster and no
“RESET” because the amplitude of the waveforms was not sufficient to drive the Panel.

Time setting is 50μs

YSUS
100v/cm
350vpp

Z SUS
50v/cm
75vpp

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting
Control Board

This screen Shows a complete loss of any waveforms from either the Y SUS
or the Z SUS this results in no Picture no “Reset” and is the result of a possible failure on
the Control Board. Loss of 5v to the Control Board or a loss of Signal from the Crystal
will result with this lack of a waveform, look for the operation of Temperature LED’s.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting
NO RASTER

The presence of these two Waveforms as viewed here is an indication that both the Y SUS
and the Z SUS Boards are working properly. A no Raster complaint with both waveforms
correct is either a loss of Video from the Main Board to the Control Board ( Short Pins 1 and 2
on P1 unused connector on the Control Board look for Test Patterns ) or a loss of VA voltage.
Check for the presence of the LVDS Signal.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting

LVDS

Video Signals from the Main Board to the Control Board are referred to as
Low Voltage Differential Signals or LVDS and their presence can be confirmed
with the Oscilloscope by monitoring the signal with no input while pressing the
Menu Button on and off with the Remote Control. Loss of these Signals would
confirm the failure is on the Main Board!
Menu OFF Menu ON

Example of Normal Signals measured at 200mv/cm at 5µs/cm.

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 Troubleshooting

Y SUS and Z SUS

Waveform Analysis

Ramp up sets the pitch of the Top Ramp

VSET UP changes the amplitude at the The Amplitude of this portion of the waveform
top of the waveform below is adjusted by Z Bias on the Z Board

VSC sets the V Scan

DC level

Loss of Z Bias lowers the Amplitude

Vset Down adjusts the pitch of the Bottom Ramp

-VY sets the amplitude of the negative excursion

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008

 THE END
THANK YOU!

Plasma Display Panel Troubleshooting with the Oscilloscope - 2008