Thermal sensor and method
US7565258B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K7/01
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In one embodiment, an apparatus is constituted with a temperature sensing circuit adapted to be coupled to a current sources circuit, and configured to measure a circuit temperature and to generate a temperature-indicating signal in response to the circuit temperature and an adjustable current output by the current sources circuit; a reference voltage circuit to be coupled the current sources circuit and configured to provide a reference signal in response to a reference current output by the current sources circuit; and a trip generator circuit coupled to the temperature sensing circuit and the reference voltage circuit and configured to generate a trip point signal if a difference between the reference and the temperature-indicating signals indicates that a threshold circuit temperature has been reached or exceeded.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.