Temperature Sensor Circuit Mismatch Cancellation via Phase Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital temperature sensors in integrated circuits face accuracy issues due to device mismatch among components, which conventional techniques like chopping amplifiers and auto-zero circuits fail to fully address, particularly affecting the accuracy of temperature readouts.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digital temperature sensor circuit that utilizes switching circuits to alternate between different configurations during temperature measurement, averaging data from multiple phases to cancel out offsets caused by component mismatches, thereby improving the accuracy of temperature readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional temperature sensor circuits are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to device mismatch among components
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature measurement process is divided into multiple phases with different circuit configurations. Switching circuits segment the measurement into distinct stages where transistors are connected in different arrangements, allowing mismatch effects to be isolated and cancelled through averaging across phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit periodically switches between different configurations during temperature measurement. By alternating between multiple phases with inverted or swapped transistor connections, the system creates periodic variations that cause mismatch offsets to cancel out when results are averaged over complete measurement cycles.
2Measurement precision
If multiple circuit configurations are used to reduce mismatch, then measurement precision improves, but productivity decreases due to increased measurement time
Solution Approach 1:
The switching circuits operate continuously during the measurement process, rapidly alternating between different configurations. This continuous switching allows multiple measurements to be taken in quick succession with different transistor arrangements, and the results are averaged in real-time to maintain high measurement speed while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing periodic switching between circuit configurations at optimized frequencies, the system performs multiple measurements per unit time. The periodic nature allows for systematic cancellation of mismatch errors while maintaining a high rate of data acquisition, thus improving both precision and preserving productivity.
3Measurement precision
If device mismatch is reduced through switching circuits, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching circuits serve multiple functions simultaneously: they reconfigure transistor connections to cancel mismatch effects, they control the timing and sequencing of different measurement phases, and they enable the same physical transistors to perform different functional roles across phases. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the mismatch cancellation function with the existing temperature sensing circuitry by integrating switching elements directly into the transistor configuration. Rather than adding separate correction circuits, the switching mechanism is combined with the core sensing elements, allowing mismatch reduction to be achieved through reconfiguration of existing components rather than adding independent correction subsystems.
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 effectively reduces the adverse effects of device mismatch, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of temperature readouts by averaging temperature data from different configurations, leading to more precise temperature measurements.
Implementation Method 1
averaging data from multiple phases to cancel out offsets caused by component mismatches
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature sensor having one or more mirror circuits output temperature dependent output signals is disclosed in one embodiment. The temperature sensor includes a sampling circuit coupled to receive a clock signal that samples the output signals for a duration of a predetermined number of clock cycles. The temperature sensor additionally includes a phase control circuit that receives the clock signal and generates a control signal that enables subsequent sampling operations. Each subsequent sampling operation has a duration of the predetermined number of clock cycles. The control signal from the phase control circuit further enables input and output terminals of respective circuit components in the mirror circuits to be switched for each subsequent sampling operation.