Controlled Oscillator Temperature Sensing Without ADC Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature sensors requiring Analog-to-Digital Convertors (ADCs) face issues such as space, weight, energy consumption, complexity, and reduced accuracy due to ADC sensitivity to temperature, along with non-linear resistor behavior.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor using a controlled oscillator that generates a digital temperature signal without an ADC, utilizing a bandgap circuit and controlled oscillators to produce temperature-dependent clock signals, which are counted to determine temperature in a binary format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an ADC is used to convert analog temperature signal to digital format, then digital temperature output is achieved, but space requirements, weight, energy consumption, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the ADC component from the temperature sensing system. Instead of using an ADC to convert analog signals to digital format, the invention directly generates a digital temperature signal through a controlled oscillator whose frequency is proportional to temperature. This eliminates the need for separate analog-to-digital conversion circuitry, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining digital output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional electronic conversion system (analog circuit + ADC) with a direct digital generation approach using a controlled oscillator. The oscillator's frequency output directly represents temperature in digital form, substituting the mechanical/electronic conversion process with a more integrated frequency-based measurement system that inherently provides digital output.
2Measurement precision
If an ADC is used to convert analog temperature signal to digital format, then digital temperature output is achieved, but space requirements and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the ADC component from the temperature sensing system. Instead of using an ADC to convert analog signals to digital format, the invention directly generates a digital temperature signal through a controlled oscillator whose frequency is proportional to temperature. This eliminates the need for separate analog-to-digital conversion circuitry, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining digital output capability.
3Measurement precision
If an ADC is used to convert analog temperature signal to digital format, then digital temperature output is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the ADC component from the temperature sensing system. Instead of using an ADC to convert analog signals to digital format, the invention directly generates a digital temperature signal through a controlled oscillator whose frequency is proportional to temperature. This eliminates the need for separate analog-to-digital conversion circuitry, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining digital output capability.
4Device complexity
If an ADC is used to convert analog temperature signal to digital format, then digital temperature output is achieved, but measurement accuracy is reduced due to ADC sensitivity to temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electronic conversion system (analog circuit + ADC) with a direct digital generation approach using a controlled oscillator whose frequency is directly proportional to temperature. This substitution eliminates the temperature sensitivity issues inherent in ADC-based systems, as the oscillator's frequency response to temperature is more stable and predictable, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining simplicity.
5Measurement precision
If a resistor is used in conventional temperature sensing, then temperature measurement is enabled, but non-linear behavior prevents accurate linear measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the resistor-based temperature sensing mechanism with a controlled oscillator system. The oscillator's frequency is directly proportional to temperature, providing a linear relationship between the measured parameter and the output signal. This substitution eliminates the non-linear behavior characteristic of resistor-based sensors, enabling more accurate temperature measurements without requiring complex linearization circuits or algorithms.
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
This approach eliminates the need for ADCs, reducing space, weight, and energy consumption while providing accurate, linear temperature measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a bandgap circuit configured to generate a first input signal that varies based on a temperature
Implementation Method 2
one or more controlled oscillators including a first controlled oscillator configured to receive the first input signal and generate a first clock signal
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for temperature sensors are provided, including temperatures sensors using a controlled oscillator. An exemplary temperature sensor may comprise: a clock generating circuit comprising: a bandgap circuit to generate a first input signal that varies based on a temperature; a first controlled oscillator configured to receive the first input signal and generate a first clock signal; a first counter configured to receive the first clock signal and a first enable signal, wherein the first counter generates a first count signal based on the first clock signal and the first enable signal; a processor and a non-transitory memory including computer coded instructions, the computer coded instructions, with the processor, cause the processor to: determine the temperature based at least on the first count signal; and generate a temperature signal based at least on the temperature, wherein the temperature signal is a binary signal.