Low-cost temperature sensor providing relatively high accuracy, a wide dynamic range and high linearity
US6377110B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K15/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus, specifically a circuit (100, 200), for a highly accurate, low cost temperature sensor, particularly one using silicon thermometry and which can be implemented by an application specific integrated circuit, that also possesses a high degree of linearity and a wide dynamic range. The inventive circuit advantageously utilizes either a mixed-signal approach or a digital core and provides independent adjustment, through two point calibration, of slope and ambient output offset values, with a zero offset adjustment advantageously accomplished through use of a digital tear. Specifically, given the inherent linearity of silicon thermometry, zero offset and desired output voltage are set, independently of each other, at a first predefined ambient calibration temperature as effectively two separate offset values, while slope (span) is set at a second predefined calibration temperature (typically a full scale temperature) different from the first temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.