PTAT Current Generator Using DDA Feedback for Temperature Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Semiconductor elements in electronic devices experience changes in operating characteristics due to temperature, which are not adequately addressed, leading to inefficiencies in existing technologies, which are not able to effectively compensate for these changes, thereby affecting the reliability and performance of the devices.

Innovation Solution

A proportional-to-absolute-temperature current generating device, comprising a differential difference amplifier, a current source, and voltage generating units, which produce currents and voltages that vary proportionally to temperature, enabling effective temperature compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If semiconductor elements are highly integrated and operate at high speed, then productivity and performance are improved, but temperature increases and operating characteristics become unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating speedVSAvoidoperating characteristic stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the operating characteristics of semiconductor elements are continuously monitored, and compensation signals are generated based on detected temperature or characteristic variations. This feedback loop adjusts operating parameters in real-time to maintain stability despite high-speed operation and temperature increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes operating parameters such as voltage, current, or frequency based on detected temperature or characteristic variations. By adjusting these parameters in response to environmental changes, the system maintains reliable operation while operating at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If temperature compensation is implemented to maintain operating reliability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating characteristic stabilityVSAvoidcircuit structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the temperature compensation function with the existing operating circuitry by integrating compensation components directly into the signal processing path. This merging approach allows temperature compensation to be achieved without adding separate, complex compensation circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs compensation components that serve multiple functions - for example, using the same circuit elements for both signal processing and temperature compensation, or creating compensation mechanisms that address multiple operating characteristics simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4345570B1Proportional to absolute temperature current generating device and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4345570B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4345570B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4345570B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A proportional-to-absolute-temperature current generating device includes a differential difference amplifier (DDA) that outputs a comparison signal based on a reference voltage, a first voltage, and a second voltage, a current source that generates a first current and a second current based on the comparison signal, a proportional-to-absolute-temperature voltage (VPTAT) generating unit that generates the first voltage based on the first current, and a complementary-to-absolute-temperature voltage (VCTAT) generating unit that generates the second voltage based on the second current. Each of the first current and the second current is a proportional-to-absolute-temperature current that increases in proportion to a temperature of the proportional-to-absolute-temperature current generating device.