Linear Temperature Sensor Circuit for Semiconductor Memory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature sensors in semiconductor memory devices, such as DTCSR, face challenges in accurately measuring ambient temperature due to nonlinear voltage variations with temperature changes, making it difficult to predict voltage variations and measure temperature precisely.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor design that includes a reference voltage generation unit, a variable voltage generation unit using resistors and NMOS transistors, and a temperature code generation unit, which generates a variable voltage that decreases linearly with temperature increases, allowing for precise temperature measurement by comparing the variable voltage with the reference voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a DTCSR temperature sensor uses a circuit with NMOS transistor, PMOS transistor, and resistor to generate variable voltage, then the temperature sensor can sense ambient temperature, but the variable voltage changes nonlinearly with temperature variation making it difficult to predict voltage variation and measure temperature exactly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the functional parameters of the voltage generation circuit by replacing the traditional NMOS/PMOS transistor-based variable voltage generator with a resistor-based voltage divider circuit. This parameter change transforms the nonlinear voltage-temperature relationship into a linear relationship, enabling precise temperature measurement while simplifying the circuit design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex transistor-based voltage generation mechanism from the temperature sensor circuit. By taking out the NMOS and PMOS transistors and their associated complex biasing circuits, the invention achieves both circuit simplification and linear voltage response characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a DTCSR temperature sensor uses transistor-based circuit to generate variable voltage, then the sensor can operate across temperature ranges, but the nonlinear voltage variation makes it difficult to predict voltage changes caused by process variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the voltage generation circuit by using resistors with stable temperature coefficients instead of transistors. This parameter change ensures that the voltage variation is predictable and linear with temperature, improving reliability across different temperature ranges and process variations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a temperature sensor uses a gentle slope voltage variation with respect to temperature, then the circuit can operate stably, but it is difficult to measure the temperature exactly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the resistor-based voltage divider circuit to achieve an optimal voltage slope with respect to temperature. By carefully selecting resistor values and their temperature coefficients, the circuit achieves both stable operation and high measurement precision through a well-defined linear voltage-temperature relationship.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables accurate temperature measurement and prediction of voltage variations, ensuring normal operation of semiconductor memory devices by providing a linear voltage response to temperature changes, thus overcoming the limitations of nonlinear voltage variations in existing sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a first nonlinear voltage generation section including a first resistor and a first NMOS transistor, and configured to generate a nonlinear voltage whose level increases as a temperature increases
Implementation Method 2
a second linear voltage generation section including a second resistor, a second NMOS transistor, and a third resistor, and configured to generate a variable voltage whose level decreases linearly as the temperature increases
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature sensor generates a variable voltage whose level decreases linearly as a temperature increases, and compares the variable voltage with first and second reference voltages to generate first and second temperature codes to measure the temperature.