Multi-Region Temperature Sensor With Peak Voltage Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature sensors struggle to accurately measure and differentiate between internal temperatures of multiple regions within electronic devices, leading to inefficiencies in temperature code generation.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor system comprising variable voltage generation circuits for different regions, a variable voltage selection circuit to compare and select the highest voltage, and a temperature code generation circuit to generate a temperature code based on a reference voltage, ensuring accurate temperature measurement across multiple regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used to measure temperatures of different regions, then temperature measurement coverage is improved, but device area and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature sensing functions into a single sensor device. The sensor includes multiple variable voltage generation circuits that correspond to different regions, allowing one sensor to perform measurements that would traditionally require multiple separate sensors, thereby reducing layout area while maintaining measurement coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor is designed with multi-functionality to measure temperatures of multiple regions simultaneously. By integrating several variable voltage generation circuits and selection mechanisms within one device, it serves as a universal temperature measurement solution that replaces multiple specialized sensors.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple variable voltage generation circuits are integrated in one sensor, then layout area is reduced, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is segmented into distinct functional modules: multiple variable voltage generation circuits, a variable voltage selection circuit, and a temperature code generation circuit. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable while achieving compact integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable voltage selection circuit acts as an intermediary between the multiple variable voltage generation circuits and the temperature code generation circuit. It selects the appropriate voltage level corresponding to the highest temperature region, simplifying the data processing flow and reducing the complexity burden of having multiple generation circuits.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor selects the highest voltage level to determine maximum temperature, then temperature monitoring accuracy is improved, but comparison and selection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex analog voltage comparison mechanisms with a simplified selection process. The variable voltage selection circuit uses digital or logical comparison methods to identify the highest voltage level, substituting traditional analog comparator circuits with a more efficient selection mechanism that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature sensor includes a variable voltage selection circuit configured to compare a first variable voltage having a voltage level corresponding to an internal temperature of a first region and a second variable voltage having a voltage level corresponding to an internal temperature of a second region to generate a selected variable voltage, when a selection pulse is generated, and a temperature code generation circuit configured to compare the selected variable voltage to a reference voltage to generate a temperature code whenever a comparison pulse is generated after a temperature code activation signal is activated.