Temperature Sensor Selective Voltage Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temperature sensors require two time-to-digital converters to convert temperature signals and reference voltages into digital codes, leading to increased area usage and conversion time, which can hinder efficient thermal management in electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor design that includes a first selection circuit, a reference voltage generator, a control circuit, and a converter, which converts the reference voltage and temperature signal into digital codes only when a voltage conversion condition is satisfied, utilizing a single time-to-digital converter to reduce conversion time and area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two time-to-digital converters are used to convert temperature signals and reference voltages into digital codes, then conversion accuracy is maintained, but area usage and conversion time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches between two operating modes: a first mode where the single time-to-digital converter processes both temperature signals and reference voltages sequentially, and a second mode where calibration values are used directly without conversion. This dynamic mode switching optimizes conversion time while maintaining accuracy through selective use of pre-calibrated data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration to generate calibration values that are stored for later use. During normal operation, these pre-calibrated values can be directly applied without requiring real-time conversion of reference voltages, thereby reducing conversion time while preserving measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If two time-to-digital converters are used to convert temperature signals and reference voltages into digital codes, then conversion accuracy is maintained, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate time-to-digital converters into a single converter that handles both temperature signal conversion and reference voltage conversion sequentially. This consolidation reduces the total device area while maintaining conversion accuracy through proper timing and calibration mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The single time-to-digital converter is designed to perform multiple functions: converting temperature signals during normal operation and converting reference voltages during calibration phases. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated separate converters, reducing overall device area.
3Measurement precision
If reference voltage is continuously converted to voltage digital code, then voltage conversion accuracy is maintained, but conversion time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic calibration where the reference voltage is converted to a voltage digital code at specific intervals rather than continuously. During calibration periods, the converter updates calibration values, and during normal operation, these pre-calibrated values are used directly, thereby reducing overall conversion time while maintaining voltage conversion accuracy when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature sensor includes a first selection circuit outputting one among temperature signals in response to a selection code. A reference voltage generator generates a reference voltage. A control circuit generates a control signal. A second selection circuit outputs the reference voltage and the temperature signal in response to the control signal indicating a voltage conversion condition is satisfied and outputs only the temperature signal in response to the control signal indicating the voltage conversion condition is not satisfied. A converter converts the reference voltage to a voltage digital code and the temperature signal to a temperature digital code in response to the control signal indicating the voltage conversion condition is satisfied and converts only the temperature signal to the temperature digital code in response to the control signal indicating the voltage conversion condition is not satisfied.