Thermal sensor system and method based on current ratio
US9116049B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2012 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K1/026
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A thermal sensor system which includes a thermal sensor and a voltage control network which applies a reference voltage level and a delta voltage level to the same or different thermal sensors. The thermal sensor develops a reference current signal in response to the reference voltage level and a delta current signal in response to the delta voltage level. A current gain network adjusts gain of the delta current signal. A current compare sensor, which is responsive to the reference current signal and the delta current signal, provides a comparison metric. A controller controls the current gain network to adjust gain of the delta current signal while monitoring the comparison metric to determine a gain differential value indicative of a current ratio between the current signals. The controller determines a temperature value based on the gain differential value. A LUT may be used to retrieve the temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.