Multiple resolution temperature sensor
US9705525B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F3/245
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor that can provide multiple resolutions, based on the output of the same analog-to-digital converter is disclosed. Some applications require a fast measurement of a physical parameter (e.g., temperature, voltage, pressure), but can tolerate a lower resolution measurement. Other applications require a higher resolution measurement, but can tolerate a slower measurement. The sensor may comprise a sigma delta modulator (SDM) ADC that outputs a digital reading. The output may comprise a bus having a width that is equal to the desired highest resolution of the digital code for the physical parameter. The sensor may further comprise a storage unit for each desired level of resolution. The sensor may further comprise logic that causes the storage units to sample the output bus after a certain number of clock cycles in order to store a digital code having a number of bits equal to the resolution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.