Single-Point Temperature Sensor Calibration Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-temperature-point temperature sensor circuits suffer from limited temperature sensing output range and calibration errors due to DC offsets and device mismatches, requiring two-point calibration that is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A single-temperature-point temperature sensor circuit with adjustable gain factors, utilizing a PNP transistor switched on and off to measure output voltage at two different states, allowing for wide-range temperature sensitivity adjustment and cancellation of DC offsets through computational unit and Look-Up Table (LUT) calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two-temperature-point calibration is used to establish accurate temperature sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate due to heating delays of 10 or more minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing the offset value that would exist at absolute zero temperature and storing it in a lookup table before actual operation. This allows the system to eliminate the need for physical heating to multiple temperature points during calibration, as the absolute zero reference point is established in advance through calculation rather than physical measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical heating system with a computational approach. Instead of physically heating the device to multiple temperature points using temperature-controlled chambers, the system uses computational methods to calculate and store reference values, substituting physical thermal processing with mathematical computation and data lookup.
2Productivity
If single-temperature-point calibration is used to eliminate heating delay, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to limited temperature sensing output range and DC offsets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational unit that processes the single temperature measurement and applies corrections based on pre-stored offset values and sensitivity factors. This computational intermediary bridges the gap between the simplified single-point measurement and the requirement for accurate temperature sensing across a wide range, compensating for DC offsets and device mismatches through mathematical correction rather than physical multi-point measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by measuring at a single temperature point rather than multiple points, and compensates for the resulting limitations by dynamically adjusting sensitivity factors and applying offset corrections. The system modifies the calibration approach from physical temperature variation to computational parameter adjustment, maintaining precision while improving speed.
3Ease of manufacture
If single-temperature-point calibration is used to reduce manufacturing costs, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to calibration errors from device mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by measuring the actual output voltage at the single calibration temperature point and using this measurement to compute corrected sensitivity factors and offset values. The system continuously refines its calibration parameters based on the actual device characteristics observed during testing, compensating for device mismatches and ensuring accurate temperature sensing despite variations in manufacturing.
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
Enables efficient calibration at a single temperature point, providing a wide calibration range and accurate temperature sensing by adjusting current mirror and resistor scaling factors, reducing calibration time and costs while minimizing errors.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a PNP transistor switched on and off to measure output voltage at two different states
Implementation Method 2
Operation of these transistors can generate significant heat in a small area. Hotspots can develop that can damage the IC device.
Data Source
AI summary
A single-temperature-point temperature-sensitivity sensor assumes that all sensitivity lines converge at absolute zero temperature, so during calibration measurement is needed at only one temperature. A sensor output voltage is generated by current from a mirrored current source flowing through a variable resistor. During calibration, the resistance of the variable resistor and the mirror ratio of the mirrored current source are adjusted. An error amplifier compares voltages generated by unit currents generated by unit current sources to adjust the unit current sources and the mirrored current source. Each unit current flows through a grounded-base PNP transistor. A switchable PNP transistor is in parallel with one of the grounded-base PNP transistors and has its base switched on and off to adjust the PNP current for two measurements. The difference between the two measurements is compared to a calibration target to adjust the variable resistor and mirror ratio during calibration at a single temperature.


