Temperature sensor integral with microprocessor and methods of using same
US5961215A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K7/01
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A temperature sensor includes a bandgap reference circuit for providing a temperature-independent reference voltage, a biasing circuit that mirrors a current in the bandgap reference circuit for providing a temperature-dependent biasing voltage, and an amplifier responsive to the reference voltage and the biasing voltage for providing a temperature-dependent output voltage. Preferably, the temperature sensor is integral with a microprocessor and implemented in CMOS technology. The temperature sensor can be used, for instance, to reduce the clock speed of the microprocessor when the microprocessor temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, or to store temperature-indicating data in non-volatile memory of the microprocessor to provide a thermal history of the microprocessor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.