Temperature sensor, method for determining temperature, chip and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a temperature sensor, a temperature determining method, a chip and electronic equipment, and belongs to the technical field of electronic information. The temperature sensor comprises a generation module and an output module which are connected with each other; the generation module is used for acquiring a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the environment where the temperature sensor is located, generating a first signal indicating the temperature based on the temperature signal, and transmitting the first signal to the output module; the output module is used for comparing the first signal with the second signal and outputting a result signal according to a comparison result, the result signal is used for indicating the temperature, and the second signal is used for indicating the reference temperature. After the first signal indicating the temperature is generated, the first signal and the second signal are compared, and the result signal determined according to the comparison result can reflect the difference between the temperature indicated by the first signal and the reference temperature indicated by the second signal, so that the result signal can indicate the temperature more accurately; a more accurate temperature can be determined based on the result signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electronic information technology, and in particular to a temperature sensor, a method for determining temperature, a chip and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] A temperature transducer is a sensor that can sense temperature and convert it into a usable output signal. In a display driver integrated circuit (DDIC), a temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the display connected to the DDIC or the temperature of the DDIC in real time, thereby performing overheat protection or performance optimization based on the detected temperature, thereby reducing the possibility of DDIC failure. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a temperature sensor, a method for determining temperature, a chip and an electronic device, which can improve the accuracy of temperature detection. The technical solution is as follows:

[0004] On the one hand, a temperature sensor is provided, which includes a generation module and an output module connected to each other; the generation module is used to obtain a temperature signal indicating the temperature of an environment in which the temperature sensor is located, generate a first signal indicating the temperature based on the temperature signal, and transmit the first signal to the output module; the output module is used to compare the first signal and the second signal, and output a result signal according to the comparison result, the result signal is used to indicate the temperature of the environment in which the temperature sensor is located, and the second signal is used to indicate a reference temperature.

[0005] In one possible implementation, the number of second signals is multiple, and the Nth second signal among the multiple second signals is obtained based on historical second signals and preset rules, the historical second signals include one or more second signals from the 1st second signal to the N-1th second signal, and N is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to the number of multiple second signals.

[0006] In one possible implementation, the output module includes an adjustment unit and a conversion unit that are connected to each other; the conversion unit is used to obtain a historical comparison result, convert an adjustment signal based on the historical comparison result, and transmit the adjustment signal to the adjustment unit, wherein the historical comparison result is a comparison result between a historical second signal and a first signal; the adjustment unit is used to adjust the historical second signal based on the adjustment signal to obtain an Nth second signal.

[0007] In one possible implementation, when the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is greater than the N-1th second signal, the adjustment signal indicates to increase the N-1th second signal to obtain the N-th second signal; or, when the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is less than the N-1th second signal, the adjustment signal indicates to decrease the N-1th second signal to obtain the N-1th second signal.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the output module also includes a comparison unit, which is connected to the conversion unit; the comparison unit is used to compare the first signal and the Nth second signal to obtain the Nth comparison result, and transmit the Nth comparison result to the conversion unit; the conversion unit is used to output a result signal based on the Nth comparison result.

[0009] In one possible implementation, there are multiple result signals; an output module is used to compare the first signal and the Nth second signal, obtain the Nth result signal according to the Nth comparison result and cache the Nth result signal; when multiple result signals are cached, multiple result signals are output.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the temperature sensor is connected to the controller via an output module, and a result signal output by the output module is used by the controller to determine the temperature.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the generating module includes a plurality of amplifiers; the plurality of amplifiers are used to amplify the temperature signal step by step to obtain the first signal.

[0012] On the other hand, a method for determining temperature is provided, the method comprising: acquiring a temperature signal indicating the temperature of an environment in which a temperature sensor is located, and generating a first signal indicating the temperature based on the temperature signal; comparing the first signal and a second signal, and outputting a result signal according to the comparison result, the result signal being used to indicate the temperature, and the second signal being used to indicate a reference temperature.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the number of second signals is multiple, and the Nth second signal among the multiple second signals is obtained based on historical second signals and preset rules, the historical second signals include one or more second signals from the 1st second signal to the N-1th second signal, and N is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to the number of multiple second signals.

[0014] In a possible implementation, before comparing the first signal and the second signal, it also includes: obtaining a historical comparison result, converting an adjustment signal based on the historical comparison result, wherein the historical comparison result is a comparison result between the historical second signal and the first signal; and adjusting the historical second signal based on the adjustment signal to obtain the Nth second signal.

[0015] In one possible implementation, when the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is greater than the N-1th second signal, the adjustment signal indicates to increase the N-1th second signal to obtain the N-th second signal; or, when the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is less than the N-1th second signal, the adjustment signal indicates to decrease the N-1th second signal to obtain the N-1th second signal.

[0016] In a possible implementation, comparing the first signal and the second signal, and outputting a result signal according to the comparison result, includes: comparing the first signal and the Nth second signal to obtain the Nth comparison result, transmitting the Nth comparison result to the conversion unit; and outputting the result signal based on the Nth comparison result.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the number of result signals is multiple, the first signal and the second signal are compared, and the result signal is output based on the comparison result, including: comparing the first signal and the Nth second signal, obtaining the Nth result signal based on the Nth comparison result and caching the Nth result signal; when multiple result signals are cached, outputting multiple result signals.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the method is applied to a temperature sensor, and the resulting signal is used to determine the temperature of a controller to which the temperature sensor is connected.

[0019] In a possible implementation, generating the first signal based on the temperature signal includes: amplifying the temperature signal step by step to obtain the first signal.

[0020] On the other hand, a chip is provided, and the chip includes the temperature sensor in any possible implementation manner described above.

[0021] On the other hand, an electronic device is provided, and the electronic device includes any possible temperature sensor as described above.

[0022] The technical solution provided by this application brings at least the following beneficial effects:

[0023] After generating a first signal indicating the temperature in the present application, the first signal and the second signal are compared. The result signal determined based on the comparison result can reflect the difference between the temperature indicated by the first signal and the reference temperature indicated by the second signal, so that the result signal can indicate the temperature more accurately, and a more accurate temperature can be determined based on the result signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a temperature sensor provided by the related technology;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a temperature sensor provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another temperature sensor provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the output of a first amplifier and temperature provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the output of a second amplifier and temperature provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of another temperature sensor provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 7 is a timing diagram of a temperature sensor provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 8 It is a flow chart of a method for determining temperature provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the implementation methods of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] DDIC is an integrated circuit used in display technology, mainly used to control the drive of the display panel. It integrates display drive and other functions to improve display effect and efficiency. In small, feature-rich DDICs, especially in DDICs of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), heat management is crucial. Therefore, temperature sensors are usually deployed in ODDIs.

[0035] A temperature sensor is a sensor that senses temperature and converts it into a usable output signal. Temperature sensors can detect the temperature of the environment or circuit to achieve thermal management. For example, by detecting the temperature, it is possible to prevent the circuit from being damaged due to excessive temperature. Alternatively, the current and power can be adjusted according to the detected temperature to optimize energy consumption, achieve temperature adjustment, and ensure that the ODDI operates within the appropriate temperature range.

[0036] See also Figure 1 , showing a schematic diagram of the structure of a temperature sensor provided by the related art. The temperature sensor provided by the related art is a traditional general temperature sensor, which includes a bandgap reference (Bandgap Reference, BGR) voltage source ( Figure 1 In the figure, it is represented as BGR BIAS), an amplifier (Amplifier, AMP) based on BGRBIAS to achieve amplification ( Figure 1 BGR BIAS is used to set the operating point (or working range) of the components in the circuit, for example, to set the operating point of the BGR AMP to ensure that the BGR AMP works within a suitable linear range.

[0037] In the temperature sensor provided by the related art, after the working range of the BGR AMP is set based on the BGR BIAS, the BGRAMP amplifies the collected temperature signal within the set working range. The temperature signal can be collected by a component such as a thermistor or a thermocouple connected to the BGR AMP and transmitted to the BGR AMP. The BGR AMP transmits the amplified temperature signal to the ADC, and the ADC converts the amplified temperature signal according to the clock indicated by the clock signal (ADC_CLOCK), converts the analog temperature signal into a digital signal, and outputs the converted digital signal (D_OUT), which can be used for subsequent processing or display. For example, D_OUT can be transmitted to a back-end controller, and the controller generates a display signal based on D_OUT, and displays the temperature indicated by the display signal through the display.

[0038] The temperature sensor circuit provided by the related art is simple in design, but the temperature detection range is limited and the detection granularity is coarse, and the accuracy of the detected temperature is difficult to guarantee.

[0039] The embodiment of the present application provides a temperature sensor that can detect the temperature of the environment in a more fine-grained and accurate manner. In addition, the temperature sensor provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied not only to ODDI, but also to other driver chips. For example, the temperature sensor provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to driver integrated circuits such as timing controller (Timing Controller, TCON) and touch and display driver integrated circuit (Touch and Display Driver Integration Circuit, TDDIC), liquid crystal display driver integrated circuit (Liquid Crystal Display Driver Integrated Circuit, LCD DDIC).

[0040] See also Figure 2 , showing a schematic diagram of the structure of a temperature sensor provided in an embodiment of the present application. The temperature sensor includes a generation module 11 and an output module 12 that are connected to each other. The generation module 11 is used to obtain a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the environment in which the temperature sensor is located, generate a first signal indicating the temperature based on the temperature signal, and transmit the first signal to the output module 12; the output module 12 is used to compare the first signal and the second signal, and output a result signal according to the comparison result. The result signal is used to indicate the temperature of the environment in which the temperature sensor is located, and the second signal is used to indicate the reference temperature. The number of the result signal and the second signal can be one or more.

[0041] The reference temperatures indicated by second signals of different sizes are of different sizes. Therefore, by comparing the first signal and the second signal, the size relationship between the first signal and the second signal can be determined, thereby determining the size relationship between the temperature indicated by the first signal and the reference temperature indicated by the second signal, so that the result signal output according to the comparison result can more accurately indicate the temperature of the environment in which the temperature sensor is located.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present application, the temperature of the environment in which the temperature sensor is located may be the temperature of the circuit to which the temperature sensor belongs, or the temperature of the gas, liquid or solid surrounding the temperature sensor. Optionally, the generation module 11 may acquire the temperature signal by generating a temperature signal or receiving a temperature signal sent by the front end. For example, the generation module 11 may include components such as a thermistor or a thermocouple. Components such as a thermistor or a thermocouple may sense the temperature of the environment, and generate a voltage signal or a current signal based on the sensed temperature. The generated voltage signal or current signal is also a temperature signal, and the temperature signal changes with the change of temperature. For another example, the generation module 11 may not include components such as a thermistor or a thermocouple, but may receive a temperature signal transmitted by components such as a thermistor or a thermocouple at the front end.

[0043] Since the temperature signal is generated based on the temperature of the environment in which the temperature sensor is located, or in other words, the temperature signal is generated under the influence of temperature, the size (or amplitude) of the temperature signal can reflect the size of the temperature, that is, the temperature signal can indicate the temperature. Usually, the temperature signal generated by thermistors or thermocouples is small, and it is difficult for the temperature sensor to accurately determine the temperature or output a signal indicating the temperature based on the small temperature signal. Therefore, the temperature signal can be amplified to make the amplified signal easier to process later.

[0044] In the embodiment of the present application, the temperature signal can be amplified by the generating module 11. Figure 3 In the structural schematic diagram of the temperature sensor shown, the generation module 11 may include one or more amplifiers 110. When the generation module 11 includes multiple amplifiers 110, the multiple amplifiers 110 may amplify the temperature signal step by step to obtain the first signal. Regardless of whether the number of amplifiers 110 included in the generation module 11 is one or more, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the amplifier 110 in the generation module 11, and the amplification factor of the amplifier 110. If the number of amplifiers 110 included in the generation module 11 is multiple, the types of the multiple amplifiers 110 may be the same or different.

[0045] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 The generating module 11 in the embodiment may include a first amplifier 111 and a second amplifier 112 connected to each other, and the first amplifier 111 and the second amplifier 112 belong to the multiple amplifiers 110 in the generating module 11. The first amplifier 111 is used to obtain a temperature signal, amplify the temperature signal based on a first amplification parameter to obtain an intermediate signal, and transmit the intermediate signal to the second amplifier 112; the second amplifier 112 is used to amplify the intermediate signal based on a second amplification parameter to obtain a first signal.

[0046] The first amplification parameter of the first amplifier 111 is related to the type of the first amplifier, and the second amplification parameter of the second amplifier 112 is related to the type of the second amplifier 112. For example, the first amplifier 111 and the second amplifier 112 are of different types. The first amplifier 111 may be an operational amplifier, and the first amplification parameter may be 1 to 10 times, for example, and the second amplifier 112 may be a 2-times amplifier (X2 AMP), that is, the second amplification parameter may be 2 times.

[0047] See also Figure 4 , a graph showing the relationship between the output of the first amplifier 111 and the temperature. Figure 4The horizontal axis represents different temperatures, including -50 to 180°C, and the vertical axis represents the value of the intermediate signal, including 500 to 850 millivolts (mV). At different temperatures, the temperature signal input to the first amplifier 111 is different, so the intermediate signal output by the first amplifier 111 is different at different temperatures. Figure 4 It can be seen from the connecting lines in that the value of the intermediate signal output by the first amplifier 111 decreases as the temperature increases. Figure 4 A, B, C, D, and E in the figure represent different types of first amplifiers 111. Different types of first amplifiers 111 may have different values ​​of intermediate signals output for the same temperature signal due to different designs and manufacturing processes. That is, different types of first amplifiers 111 may output different values ​​of intermediate signals for the same temperature signal. Figure 4 Different types of first amplifiers 111 have different corresponding connections. For example, the value of the intermediate signal output by the first amplifier 111 of class A at -50°C is 867mV, and the value of the intermediate signal output at 180°C is 516mV. For another example, the value of the intermediate signal output by the first amplifier 111 of class B at -50°C is 875mV, and the value of the intermediate signal output at 180°C is 522mV.

[0048] Next, see Figure 5 , a graph showing the relationship between the output of the second amplifier 112 and the temperature is shown. Figure 5 The horizontal axis represents different temperatures, including -50 to 180°C, and the vertical axis represents the value of the first signal, including 1.1 to 1.7 volts (V). At different temperatures, the temperature signal input to the second amplifier 112 is different, so the first signal output by the second amplifier 112 is different at different temperatures. Figure 5 It can be seen from the connecting lines in that the value of the first signal output by the second amplifier 112 decreases as the temperature increases. Figure 5 a, b, c, d, and e in the figure represent different second amplifiers 112. Different second amplifiers 112 output different values ​​of the first signal for different intermediate signals, so different second amplifiers 112 correspond to different connections. a, b, c, d, and e are respectively related to Figure 4A, B, C, D, and E are connected to the X2 AMP, so the second amplifier 112 can amplify the intermediate signal output by the connected first amplifier by two times. For example, the value of the intermediate signal output by the first amplifier 111 of class A at -50°C is 867mV, and the value of the first signal output by the amplifier a connected to the first amplifier 111 of class A at -50°C is 1.73V, which is about twice the value of the intermediate signal output by the first amplifier 111 of class A; the value of the intermediate signal output by the first amplifier 111 of class A at 180°C is 516mV, and the value of the first signal output by the amplifier a connected to the first amplifier 111 of class A at 180°C is 1.03V, which is about twice the value of the intermediate signal output by the first amplifier 111 of class A.

[0049] In the related art, the temperature signal is amplified only once, so that the range after amplification is limited, that is, the range of temperature detection is limited, and the accuracy is low. In the embodiment of the present application, the generation module 11 may include multiple amplifiers 110, and the multiple amplifiers 110 can amplify the temperature signal step by step, improve the sensitivity to weak temperature signals and improve the sensitivity to the difference between similar temperature signals, thereby expanding the temperature detection range of the temperature sensor. Moreover, after step-by-step amplification, the amplification factor of the temperature signal is also greater than the amplification factor in the related art, thereby improving the detection capability under low temperature or weak signal conditions. This enables the temperature sensor provided in the embodiment of the present application to detect a wider temperature range, especially when the temperature signal is weak.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the generation module 11 may also include a bandgap reference circuit, which generates a stable bias voltage and provides a stable bias voltage for the amplifier 110 in the generation module 11, so that the amplifier in the generation module 11 can operate within the working range constrained by the stable bias voltage to accurately amplify the signal.

[0051] The first signal obtained by the generation module 11 for amplifying the temperature signal can reflect the size of the temperature indicated by the temperature signal, or in other words, the size of the first signal can indicate the temperature when the temperature signal is generated, so the embodiment of the present application can compare the first signal and the second signal, and output the result signal according to the comparison result. Furthermore, the number of second signals can be multiple, so the embodiment of the present application can also compare the first signal and multiple second signals, and adjust the second signal in real time according to each comparison result, so that the size of the adjusted second signal is closer to the size of the first signal, and the reference temperature indicated by the adjusted second signal is closer to the temperature indicated by the first signal, so as to more accurately determine the temperature indicated by the first signal.

[0052] Wherein, if the output module 12 is not comparing the first signal for the first time, or in other words, any second signal is not the first second signal compared with the first signal, then the second signal can be adjusted based on the historical second signal. For example, the Nth second signal can be obtained based on the historical second signal and the preset rule. For the Nth second signal, the historical second signal includes one or more second signals from the 1st second signal to the N-1th second signal. Wherein, N is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to the number of multiple second signals. For example, the number of multiple second signals is 8, that is, the output module 12 needs to compare the first signal with 8 second signals in total, then N is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to 8.

[0053] Before the output module 12 compares the first signal with the Nth second signal, the output module 12 needs to first compare the first signal with the historical second signal, so as to adjust the Nth second signal according to the historical second signal and the preset rule. When the output module 12 compares the first signal for the first time, the value of the first second signal can be an initial value set according to experience or the detected temperature range. For example, the temperature range detected by the temperature sensor is -50°C to 180°C, and the initial value can be set to the signal value corresponding to 65°C, that is, the signal value of the temperature signal corresponding to 65°C after being amplified by the generation module 11.

[0054] After the output module 12 compares the first signal with the first second signal, it obtains the first comparison result, and the first comparison result indicates that the first signal is greater than the first second signal, or indicates that the first signal is less than the first second signal. After completing the comparison of the first signal with the first second signal and obtaining the first comparison result, the second second signal can be adjusted according to the first second signal and the preset rule. Then the output module 12 can compare the first signal with the second second signal to obtain the second comparison result, and adjust the third second signal according to the second second signal and the preset rule. By analogy, the output module 12 can adjust the second signal multiple times, and compare the second signal with the first signal after each adjustment. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of times the output module 12 compares the first signal based on different second signals. For example, the output module 12 can compare the first signal 5 times based on 5 different second signals. During the 5 comparisons, the output module 12 adjusts the second signal 4 times respectively. For another example, the output module 12 may compare the first signal with eight different second signals eight times. During the eight comparisons, the output module 12 adjusts the second signal seven times respectively.

[0055] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the preset rules based on which the second signal is adjusted each time. For example, the preset rule may be based on the comparison result of the previous second signal with the first signal to obtain an adjustment signal, and adjust the previous second signal according to the adjustment signal to obtain the current second signal. Alternatively, the preset rule may also be based on the comparison result of the previous plurality of second signals with the first signal to obtain an adjustment signal, and adjust the previous second signal according to the adjustment signal to obtain the current second signal.

[0056] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the output module 12 may include an adjustment unit 121 and a conversion unit 123 connected to each other. In the process of adjusting to obtain the Nth second signal, the conversion unit 123 may obtain a historical comparison result, convert the adjustment signal based on the historical comparison result, and transmit the adjustment signal to the adjustment unit 121; the adjustment unit 121 may adjust the historical second signal based on the adjustment signal to obtain the Nth second signal. The historical comparison result is a comparison result between the historical second signal and the first signal.

[0057] For example, the conversion unit 123 may convert the adjustment signal according to the comparison result of the N-1th second signal and the N-1th first signal, and transmit the adjustment signal to the adjustment unit 121. The adjustment unit 121 adjusts the N-1th second signal according to the adjustment signal to obtain the Nth second signal.

[0058] Exemplarily, the process of converting the adjustment signal according to the comparison result and adjusting the second signal according to the adjustment signal can refer to the following table 1.

[0059] Table 1

[0060]

[0061] For example, in the process of converting the conversion unit 123 to obtain the adjustment signal according to the N-1th comparison result, when the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is greater than the N-1th second signal, the conversion unit 123 can generate a high-level adjustment signal, for example, the adjustment signal can be a signal corresponding to a high-level decision value of H or 1, so that the adjustment signal indicates to increase the N-1th second signal. After obtaining the high-level adjustment signal, the adjustment unit 121 increases the N-1th second signal to obtain the Nth second signal.

[0062] Alternatively, when the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is less than the N-1th second signal, the conversion unit 123 may generate a low-level adjustment signal, for example, the adjustment signal may be a signal corresponding to a low-level decision value of L or 0, so that the adjustment signal indicates that the N-1th second signal is reduced. After obtaining the low-level adjustment signal, the adjustment unit 121 reduces the N-1th second signal to obtain the Nth second signal.

[0063] Of course, before adjusting the historical second signal, the conversion unit 123 needs to obtain the historical comparison result. Taking the conversion unit 123 obtaining the N-1th comparison result as an example, before the conversion unit 123 obtains the N-1th comparison result, the output module 12 needs to compare the first signal with the N-1th second signal to obtain the N-1th comparison result. The process of comparing the first signal with the N-1th second signal and obtaining the N-1th comparison result can be performed by the comparison unit 122 in the output module 12. Further, the adjustment unit 121 can transmit the N-1th second signal to the comparison unit 122, and the comparison unit 122 compares the first signal with the N-1th second signal to obtain the N-1th comparison result, and transmits the N-1th comparison result to the conversion unit 123, so that the conversion unit 123 obtains the N-1th comparison result, thereby obtaining the adjustment signal and adjusting to obtain the Nth second signal. The comparison unit 122 is also connected to the generation module 11 , so the comparison unit 122 can receive the first signal transmitted by the generation module 11 .

[0064] Exemplarily, the amplitude of the adjustment performed by the adjustment unit 121 on the second signal corresponding to the first signal can be reduced as the number of adjustments increases to achieve more accurate adjustment. For example, the amplitude of the second adjustment of the second signal can be less than the amplitude of the first adjustment of the second signal. The amplitude of each adjustment can be set based on experience or detection accuracy. For example, the first adjustment amplitude can be 2V. If the first adjustment signal is a high-level adjustment signal, the adjustment unit 121 can increase the amplitude of the first second signal by 2V to obtain the second second signal. The second adjustment amplitude can be 0.8V, the third adjustment amplitude can be 0.6V, and so on.

[0065] A counter may be provided inside the adjustment unit 121 to record the number of times the second signal is adjusted, so as to change the adjustment amplitude according to the number of times the adjustment is made. The amplitude difference between two adjacent adjustments may be the same or different.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the conversion unit 123 may include an ADC, the adjustment unit 122 may include a decoder, and the adjustment signal may be a latched output of the ADC. The principle of the decoder adjusting the second signal according to the adjustment signal is that since the adjustment signal is a digital signal output by the ADC, the decoder can select the operation or state of the decoder according to the adjustment signal, for example, by changing the interconnection structure of the logic circuit inside the decoder, changing the level of the voltage or current output by the decoder, thereby outputting different second signals according to different input adjustment signals. Among them, the decoder can adjust the logic circuits of different parts of the decoder or adjust the logic circuits in the decoder in different ways according to different adjustment signals. Different adjustment signals may refer to adjustment signals with different values, or may refer to adjustment signals received by the decoder at different times.

[0067] Since the value of the signal output by the latch of the ADC remains stable within a certain period of time, the decoder can adjust the second signal according to the stable adjustment signal, thereby reducing the occurrence of adjustment errors caused by unstable adjustment signals and improving the accuracy of the adjustment.

[0068] The conversion unit 123 can not only convert the adjustment signal according to the comparison result, but also convert the result signal based on the comparison result, and output the first result signal. In an embodiment of the present application, after each comparison of the first signal, the obtained comparison result can be converted to obtain a result signal, and the result signal can be output. For example, the comparison unit 122 can compare the first signal with the Nth second signal, obtain the Nth comparison result, and transmit the Nth comparison result to the conversion unit 123; the conversion unit 123 can also output the result signal based on the Nth comparison result. Optionally, the number of result signals output based on multiple comparison results can be one or more, that is, one comparison result can correspond to one result signal, or multiple comparison results can correspond to one result signal.

[0069] For example, in the case where one comparison result corresponds to one result signal, the result signal output according to the Nth comparison result may be the Nth result signal, and the Nth result signal may indicate the magnitude relationship between the first signal and the Nth second signal, thereby indicating the temperature of the environment in which the temperature sensor is located. Optionally, the adjustment signal and the result signal converted for the same comparison result may be the same signal or different signals. For example, if the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is greater than the N-1th second signal, then the adjustment signal converted for the N-1th comparison result and the N-1th result signal may both be high-level signals.

[0070] In the case where multiple comparison results correspond to one result signal, the result signal output according to the Nth comparison result may be a signal including multiple values ​​or a calculated value, which can comprehensively indicate multiple comparison results. For example, after obtaining multiple comparison results, the conversion unit 123 may calculate an amplitude value that can indicate the temperature for the multiple comparison results, and output a signal whose amplitude is the calculated amplitude value.

[0071] Further, if the comparison unit 122 compares the first signal twice, and the first comparison result indicates that the first signal is greater than the first second signal, the conversion unit 123 calculates an amplitude value greater than the second signal as the amplitude value after the first calculation. Since the amplitude of the first second signal is a set initial value and stored in the adjustment unit 121, the conversion unit 123 can determine the amplitude of the first second signal by reading the amplitude of the first second signal in the adjustment unit 121 as the basis for calculation.

[0072] Afterwards, if the second comparison result indicates that the first signal is less than the second second signal, the conversion unit 123 calculates the amplitude value after the second calculation, and the amplitude value after the second calculation is less than the amplitude value after the first calculation. The amplitude value after the second calculation is the amplitude value that can indicate the temperature, and the conversion unit 123 can output the signal of the amplitude value as the result signal.

[0073] Because in the process of multiple comparisons, multiple comparison results can reflect the adjustment rule of the second signal in the comparison process, and the adjustment rule of the second signal can accurately indicate the size relationship between the first signal and the multiple second signals, so that the size relationship between the temperature indicated by the first signal and the reference temperature indicated by the multiple second signals can be determined through the adjustment rule of the second signal, and then the result signal matching the adjustment rule of the second signal can be used to accurately determine the temperature indicated by the first signal.

[0074] In a possible implementation, the temperature sensor is connected to the controller via the output module 12, and the result signal output by the output module 12 is used by the controller to determine the temperature. If the output module 12 compares the first signal with 8 different second signals 8 times in total, the result signal may include the result signal converted from the 8 comparison results.

[0075] Optionally, if there are multiple result signals, the multiple result signals can be output in sequence. Alternatively, the output module 12 can cache the result signal each time after obtaining the result signal, until the number of cached result signals for the first signal reaches a quantity threshold, and output multiple result signals at one time. For example, the output module 12 can compare the first signal with the Nth second signal, obtain the Nth result signal according to the Nth comparison result, and cache the Nth result signal; when there are multiple result signals cached, multiple result signals are output.

[0076] See also Figure 6 , shows a schematic diagram of the structure of another temperature sensor provided by an embodiment of the present application. The generation module 11 in the temperature sensor includes a bandgap reference voltage source BGR& BIAS that provides BIAS for BGR AMP and X2 AMP, BGR AMP (corresponding to the first amplifier 111), X2 AMP (corresponding to the second amplifier 112), and the output module 12 includes a decoder (corresponding to the adjustment unit 121), a comparator (corresponding to the comparison unit 122) and an ADC (corresponding to the conversion unit 123).

[0077] The working process of the temperature sensor is as follows: when the BGR AMP obtains the temperature signal indicating the temperature, the temperature signal is amplified once based on the working range of the BIAS constraint provided by BGR&BIAS, and then the X2 AMP amplifies the signal after the first amplification twice based on the working range of the BIAS constraint provided by BGR&BIAS to obtain the first signal, and transmits the first signal to the comparator. In addition, the decoder transmits the first second signal to the comparator. The comparator compares the first signal and the first second signal to obtain the first comparison result, and transmits the first comparison result to the ADC. The ADC converts the first comparison result to obtain the first adjustment signal and the first result signal (D_OUT). After receiving the first clock signal (ADC_CLOCK), the first result signal is cached to the highest bit (for example, the 7th bit) of the shift register in the ADC, and the first adjustment signal is transmitted to the decoder.

[0078] The decoder adjusts the first second signal according to the first adjustment signal to obtain the second second signal, and transmits the second second signal to the comparator. The comparator compares the first signal and the second second signal to obtain the second comparison result, and transmits the second comparison result to the ADC. The ADC converts the second comparison result to obtain the second adjustment signal and the second result signal, and after receiving the second clock signal, caches the second result signal to the second highest bit (e.g., the sixth bit) of the shift register in the ADC, and transmits the second adjustment signal to the decoder.

[0079] Similarly, after each comparison is completed, the comparison result is cached to the lower position of the last cache position until 8 (can be more or less, 8 is just an example) result signals for the first signal are cached in the shift register in the ADC. After receiving the next clock signal, the ADC outputs the cached 8 result signals, so that the controller can determine the temperature indicated by the first signal based on the multiple result signals.

[0080] Referring to Table 2 below, a possible correspondence relationship between a plurality of result signals and the signal value of the first signal and the temperature indicated by the first signal is shown. The correspondence relationship between the plurality of result signals and the signal value of the first signal and the temperature indicated by the first signal can be set based on experience or the range of the detected temperature. Table 2 is only an example of the correspondence relationship, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the correspondence relationship.

[0081] Table 2

[0082]

[0083] Below, the correspondence between the multiple result signals and the signal value of the first signal and the temperature indicated by the first signal is described by taking the fourth row from the bottom in Table 2 as an example. The values ​​of the eight result signals are 10010011 respectively, and the eight result signals are generated in order from left to right, that is, the first result signal D_OUT generated after the first comparison of the first signal <7> The value of is 1 (also expressed as H), and the second result signal D_OUT is generated after the second comparison of the first signal. <6> The value of is 0 (also expressed as L), and so on, the eighth result signal D_OUT generated after the eighth comparison of the first signal <0> The value of is 1 (ie H). According to the values ​​of the 8 result signals 10010011, it is determined that the value of the first signal is about 1.485, and thus it is determined that the temperature corresponding to 1.485 is 30 (± 2.5) °C, that is, the temperature indicated by the first signal is 30 (± 2.5) °C.

[0084] See also Figure 6 The circuit shown and Figure 7 The timing diagram of a temperature sensor shown in FIG. 1 shows that the ADC receives the first clock signal (ADC_CLOCK) at 3.1 ms and obtains and caches the first result signal D_OUT. <7> .from Figure 7 It can be seen from the figure that the value of the signal output by the decoder corresponding to the first clock signal (i.e. Figure 7 The value of the second signal represented by the thick solid line in the middle) is less than the value of the signal output by X2 AMP (that is, Figure 7The first result signal D_OUT <7> =H, which indicates that the first signal is greater than the second signal. The decoder will then increase the value of the signal output by the decoder, so that the value of the increased signal output by the decoder is closer to the value of the signal output by the X2 AMP.

[0085] The ADC receives the second clock signal 0.1ms after receiving the first clock signal, and obtains and caches the second result signal D_OUT. <6> .from Figure 7 It can be seen that the value of the signal output by the decoder corresponding to the second clock signal is greater than the value of the signal output by X2 AMP, so the second result signal D_OUT <6> = L. The decoder will then reduce the value of the signal output by the decoder, so that the value of the signal output by the decoder after the reduction is closer to the value of the signal output by the X2 AMP.

[0086] And so on, until the ADC receives the eighth clock signal, it obtains and caches the eighth result signal D_OUT. <0> .from Figure 7 It can be seen that the value of the signal output by the decoder corresponding to the eighth clock signal is slightly higher than the value of the signal output by X2 AMP, so the eighth result signal D_OUT <0> =H. After the ADC receives the ninth clock signal, it outputs the buffered first to eighth result signals. Figure 7 It can also be seen that the value of the signal output by the decoder is constantly adjusted with the value of D_OUT and gradually approaches the value of the signal output by X2 AMP.

[0087] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application determines the value of the first signal and the temperature indicated by the first signal by comparing the first signal and the second signal and outputting a result signal converted from the comparison result.

[0088] To summarize, after generating a first signal indicating temperature in the present application, the first signal and the second signal will be compared. The result signal determined based on the comparison result can reflect the difference between the temperature indicated by the first signal and the reference temperature indicated by the second signal, so that the result signal can indicate the temperature more accurately, and a more accurate temperature can be determined based on the result signal.

[0089] In addition, there can be multiple amplifiers in the generation module, and the temperature measurement range can be increased through multi-stage amplification, and the temperature detection accuracy can be improved, so that the error tolerance of the temperature sensor is lower. The temperature sensor in the embodiment of the present application can detect temperature even under low and high temperature conditions to prevent malfunctions.

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, a method for determining temperature is also provided. Figure 8, shows a flow chart of a method for determining temperature provided in an embodiment of the present application, the method including but not limited to the following S801 to S802.

[0091] S801, acquiring a temperature signal indicating the temperature of an environment in which a temperature sensor is located, and generating a first signal indicating the temperature based on the temperature signal.

[0092] The step of generating the first signal based on the temperature signal includes: amplifying the temperature signal step by step to obtain the first signal.

[0093] S802, comparing the first signal and the second signal, and outputting a result signal according to the comparison result, wherein the result signal is used to indicate the temperature, and the second signal is used to indicate the reference temperature.

[0094] In one possible implementation, the number of second signals is multiple, and the Nth second signal among the multiple second signals is obtained based on historical second signals and preset rules, the historical second signals include one or more second signals from the 1st second signal to the N-1th second signal, and N is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to the number of multiple second signals.

[0095] In a possible implementation, before comparing the first signal and the second signal, it also includes: obtaining a historical comparison result, converting an adjustment signal based on the historical comparison result, wherein the historical comparison result is a comparison result between the historical second signal and the first signal; and adjusting the historical second signal based on the adjustment signal to obtain the Nth second signal.

[0096] Among them, when the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is greater than the N-1th second signal, the adjustment signal indicates to increase the N-1th second signal to obtain the Nth second signal; or, when the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is less than the N-1th second signal, the adjustment signal indicates to reduce the N-1th second signal to obtain the Nth second signal.

[0097] The first signal and the second signal are compared, and a result signal is output according to the comparison result, including: comparing the first signal and the Nth second signal to obtain the Nth comparison result, transmitting the Nth comparison result to the conversion unit; based on the Nth comparison result, outputting the result signal

[0098] In one possible implementation, the number of result signals is multiple, the first signal and the second signal are compared, and the result signal is output based on the comparison result, including: comparing the first signal and the Nth second signal, obtaining the Nth result signal based on the Nth comparison result and caching the Nth result signal; when multiple result signals are cached, outputting multiple result signals.

[0099] Exemplarily, the method is applied to a temperature sensor and the resulting signal is used to determine the temperature of a controller to which the temperature sensor is connected.

[0100] Regarding the process of detecting temperature according to the method for determining temperature provided in the embodiment of the present application, reference can be made to the above description of the process of detecting temperature by the temperature sensor, which will not be repeated here.

[0101] In an exemplary embodiment, a chip is provided, and the chip includes the temperature sensor in any possible implementation manner described above.

[0102] In an exemplary embodiment, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes any possible temperature sensor described above.

[0103] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. (if any) in the specification and claims of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. On the contrary, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0104] It should be noted that the information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.), data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) and signals involved in this application are all authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of relevant data must comply with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of relevant countries and regions. For example, the signals involved in this application are all obtained with full authorization.

[0105] It should be understood that the "plurality" mentioned in this article refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0106] The above description is only an exemplary embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A temperature sensor, characterized in that: The temperature sensor comprises a generating module and an output module connected to each other; The generating module is configured to obtain a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the environment in which the temperature sensor is located, generate a first signal indicating the temperature based on the temperature signal, and transmit the first signal to the output module; The output module is used to compare the first signal and the second signal, and output a result signal according to the comparison result, wherein the result signal is used to indicate the temperature, and the second signal is used to indicate a reference temperature.

2. The temperature sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the second signals is multiple, and the Nth second signal among the multiple second signals is obtained based on historical second signals and preset rules. The historical second signals include one or more second signals from the 1st second signal to the N-1th second signal, and N is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to the number of the multiple second signals.

3. The temperature sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The output module includes an adjustment unit and a conversion unit connected to each other; The conversion unit is used to obtain a historical comparison result, convert an adjustment signal based on the historical comparison result, and transmit the adjustment signal to the adjustment unit, wherein the historical comparison result is a comparison result of the historical second signal and the first signal; The adjustment unit is used to adjust the historical second signal based on the adjustment signal to obtain the Nth second signal.

4. The temperature sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is greater than the N-1th second signal, the adjustment signal indicates to increase the N-1th second signal to obtain the N-th second signal; or, when the N-1th comparison result indicates that the first signal is less than the N-1th second signal, the adjustment signal indicates to decrease the N-1th second signal to obtain the N-1th second signal.

5. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The output module further comprises a comparison unit, and the comparison unit is connected to the conversion unit; The comparing unit is used to compare the first signal and the Nth second signal to obtain an Nth comparison result, and transmit the Nth comparison result to the converting unit; The conversion unit is used to output the result signal based on the Nth comparison result.

6. The temperature sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The number of the result signals is multiple; the output module is used to compare the first signal and the Nth second signal, obtain the Nth result signal according to the Nth comparison result and cache the Nth result signal; In the case where a plurality of result signals are buffered, the plurality of result signals are output.

7. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The temperature sensor is connected to the controller via the output module, and the result signal output by the output module is used by the controller to determine the temperature.

8. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The generating module includes a plurality of amplifiers; The multiple amplifiers are used to amplify the temperature signal step by step to obtain the first signal.

9. A method for determining temperature, characterized in that The method comprises: Acquire a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the environment in which the temperature sensor is located, and generate a first signal indicating the temperature based on the temperature signal; The first signal and the second signal are compared, and a result signal is output according to the comparison result, wherein the result signal is used to indicate the temperature, and the second signal is used to indicate a reference temperature.

10. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes the temperature sensor as described in any one of claims 1-8.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises the temperature sensor as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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