Method and apparatus for using an on-board temperature sensor on an integrated circuit
US7006943B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An integrated circuit such as a processor measures its own temperature with a temperature sensor. The measured temperature is compared to an upper limit value stored in the integrated circuit. An output terminal of the integrated circuit is asserted according to the comparison. In one mode of operation, the output terminal is asserted when the measured temperature is greater than the upper limit value and deasserted when the measured temperature goes below a lower limit value. A second output terminal is asserted when the temperature is above a second upper limit value, thereby indicating that temperature has exceeded a safe limit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.