Iterative Digital Post-Processing for Temperature Sensor Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated temperature sensors and ADCs face accuracy limitations due to semiconductor process parameter variations and environmental temperature variations, particularly with voltage reference temperature variations, which require compensation or calibration, leading to increased complexity, cost, and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An iterative digital post-processing technique is employed to correct temperature sensor measurement errors by leveraging digital signal processing, using multiple iterations to converge to the correct temperature value without the need for additional temperature sensors, thus eliminating the need for external voltage references and reducing silicon area and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analog correction techniques are used to compensate voltage reference temperature variations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and product costs increase due to additional voltage reference circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog correction circuitry with a digital correction system. The digital system uses a temperature sensor to measure the voltage reference temperature, looks up correction factors in a pre-stored table, and applies digital multiplication to correct the voltage reference measurements. This substitution of digital processing for analog circuitry reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital model of the voltage reference temperature characteristics by storing correction factors in a lookup table. This digital copy of the temperature-voltage relationship allows the system to compensate for temperature variations without requiring complex analog circuitry, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If an external voltage reference is used to achieve higher accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but system costs and package pins increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service correction mechanism where the system uses its own internal temperature sensor to monitor the voltage reference temperature and automatically applies correction factors from a stored table. This self-correcting mechanism eliminates the need for external high-accuracy voltage references, reducing system costs and package pin requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If additional temperature sensors are used for accurate post-processing, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption and silicon area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing temperature sensor serve multiple functions: it measures both the ambient temperature for ADC correction and the voltage reference temperature for voltage correction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional temperature sensors, reducing silicon area and power consumption while maintaining the precision needed for accurate post-processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide correction for temperature sensor measurement error. In an example, the temperature sensor includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC output is error corrected using an iterative digital post-processing technique.