Abstract: Large values of avalanche current are avoided in a gas discharge display panel by "staggering" in time the application of the sustain voltage waveforms to different portions of the display panel. A plurality of individual sustain circuit modules each having two 100 v FET's are connected to a common sustain circuit module having another two 100 v FET's. The "staggered" sustain operation is provided by selectively controlling the individual sustain circuit modules. The individual and common sustain circuit modules combine to alternatively produce 0-200 v square wave or a 0-100-200 v return-to-midpoint waveform by selectively controlling the FET's.

Abstract: A singled-sided sustain voltage generator provides a 0 to 200 volt swing using only four 100 volt FET's. The output of the circuit is applied to one side of the display panel, the other side being applied to ground potential. The circuit can provide either a 200 volt peak-to-peak square wave, or a return to midpoint waveform by selectively controlling the four FET's.