Temperature Coefficient Current Generation Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional current sources with non-linear temperature coefficients require complex circuit structures and can experience current discontinuity due to manufacturing process drifts, making it difficult to maintain smooth temperature coefficient currents across different temperature ranges.

Innovation Solution

A device and module that utilize current canceling effects with simpler circuits, comprising positive and negative temperature coefficient current generating units and a triggering unit to generate temperature coefficient currents, reducing the need for resistors and simplifying the circuit structure by using current mirrors for analog operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional current sources with non-linear temperature coefficients are used, then temperature compensation can be achieved, but the circuit structure becomes complex and current discontinuity occurs due to manufacturing process drifts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent continuityVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The current source is segmented into multiple parallel branches, each generating current with different temperature coefficients (positive, negative, and zero temperature coefficient branches). By dividing the current generation function across multiple independent branches, the circuit achieves smooth current transition across temperature ranges while maintaining relatively simple individual branch structures, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If complex circuit structures are used to achieve smooth temperature coefficient currents, then temperature compensation accuracy improves, but layout area and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature coefficient current smoothnessVSAvoidlayout area

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple current branches with different temperature coefficients are merged in parallel to generate the total output current. This combining approach allows the circuit to achieve smooth temperature coefficient current characteristics through the superposition of simpler branch currents, rather than requiring a single complex circuit structure, thereby reducing layout area while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional current sources are used, then temperature compensation can be provided, but power consumption increases due to complex circuit structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature compensation effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The power consumption is segmented across multiple parallel branches, each operating at lower individual power levels. By dividing the temperature compensation function across branches with different temperature coefficients, the circuit achieves effective temperature compensation while each branch consumes less power, reducing total power consumption compared to a single complex current source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves smoother temperature coefficient currents with multiple turning points, reducing layout area and power consumption, and eliminating current discontinuity, thereby effectively compensating for temperature effects in circuits.

Implementation Method 1

a positive temperature coefficient current generating unit, for generating a first positive temperature coefficient current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive temperature coefficient:

Implementation Method 2

a negative temperature coefficient current generating unit, for generating a first negative temperature coefficient current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative temperature coefficient:

Implementation Method 3

for triggering to generate the temperature coefficient current according to a triggering temperature and a current difference between the first positive temperature coefficient current and the first negative temperature coefficient current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCurrent difference detection:

Data Source

PatentUS9411354B2Device and module of triggering and generating temperature coefficient current

Publication Date: 2016.08.09 NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A device of triggering and generating temperature coefficient current for generating a temperature coefficient current includes a positive temperature coefficient current generating unit, for generating a first positive temperature coefficient current, a negative temperature coefficient current generating unit, for generating a first negative temperature coefficient current, and a triggering unit, for triggering to generate the temperature coefficient current according to a triggering temperature and a current difference between the first positive temperature coefficient current and the first negative temperature coefficient current.