Low power consumed and small circuit area occupied temperature sensor
US7145380B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K2215/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A circuit and a method are provided for sensing integrated circuit temperatures using low power and small area. This temperature sensor is more accurate than other temperature sensors, since it uses a reference voltage which has a steeper slope versus temperature. Also, this temperature sensor dissipates lower power than conventional designs, since it only requires two voltage comparators. This is accomplished via a unique transfer gate voltage selection system, which allows two comparators to be reused during different temperature control state modes. The simple design can be scaled to add to the number of temperatures to be detected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.