Circuit and method for sensing a physical quantity, an oscillator circuit, a smartcard, and a temperature-sensing circuit

US8979362B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Infineon Technologies AG · DE

Inventors

• Uwe Weder · Freiburg im Breisgau, DE
• Korbinian Engl · Zetel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 15, 2012
• Grant date: Mar 17, 2015
• Expiry date: Sep 17, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06K19/0717
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A circuit for sensing a physical quantity according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first oscillator circuit configured to provide a first clock signal including a first frequency depending on the physical quantity, and a second oscillator circuit configured to provide a second clock signal comprising a second frequency depending on the physical quantity. The circuit also includes a frequency comparator circuit configured to provide a frequency signal indicative of the physical quantity, the frequency signal being based on the first and second frequencies, wherein the first and second oscillator circuits are configured to provide the first and second clock signals such that due to a change in the physical quantity one frequency of the first and second frequencies increases, while the other frequency of the first and second frequencies decreases.