Temperature-Compensating Voltage Circuit Without ADC Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional semiconductor devices face challenges in generating a reliable temperature-compensating voltage due to quantization noise and require large circuit scales and complex control logic, which affects the optimal operation of temperature-compensating circuits.

Innovation Solution

A voltage-generating circuit with a reference voltage-generating unit, a temperature-dependent voltage-generating unit, a comparison unit, and a selection unit that compares and selects between reference and temperature-dependent voltages to produce a reliable temperature-compensating reference voltage without quantization noise, eliminating the need for an on-chip temperature sensor and complex logic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an on-chip temperature sensor and ADC are used to generate temperature-compensating voltage, then temperature compensation capability is improved, but quantization noise is introduced and circuit scale increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature compensation reliabilityVSAvoidvoltage precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the ADC component from the temperature compensation circuit. By removing the quantization process inherent in ADC, the circuit generates temperature-compensating voltage directly through analog circuitry (bandgap reference circuit and temperature-dependent voltage generation circuit), thereby eliminating quantization noise while maintaining temperature compensation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a current mirror circuit as an intermediary mechanism to transfer temperature-dependent current to generate temperature-dependent voltage. This analog current mirror approach serves as a mediator between temperature sensing and voltage generation, avoiding the need for ADC conversion and eliminating quantization effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an on-chip temperature sensor and logic unit are used to calculate temperature-compensating voltage, then temperature compensation capability is improved, but circuit scale and layout area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature compensation capabilityVSAvoidcircuit layout area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the entire temperature sensor and logic unit from the circuit architecture. Temperature compensation is achieved purely through analog circuit elements (bandgap reference, current mirrors, and temperature-dependent voltage generation) that inherently respond to temperature changes, eliminating the need for large-scale digital sensing and calculation components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the temperature sensing function and voltage generation function into a single integrated analog circuit system. The bandgap reference circuit and temperature-dependent voltage generation circuit work together as a unified analog mechanism, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensor and logic unit components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If an ADC and logic unit are used to generate temperature-compensating voltage, then temperature compensation is achieved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature compensation functionVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes all digital control logic and ADC components from the temperature compensation system. The circuit achieves temperature compensation through inherent analog physical responses to temperature changes, requiring no complex control algorithms, calibration data, or digital processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The analog circuit system is designed to automatically respond to temperature changes through physical laws (bandgap reference voltage stability and temperature-dependent current/voltage relationships). The circuit self-regulates based on temperature conditions without requiring external control logic or calibration procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11269365B2Voltage-generating circuit and semiconductor device using the same

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 WINBOND ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

The invention provides a voltage-generating circuit with a simple configuration capable of saving space and generating reliable voltage. The voltage-generating circuit of the invention includes a reference voltage-generating unit, a PTAT voltage-generating unit, a comparison unit, and a selection unit. The reference voltage-generating unit generates a reference voltage essentially without dependency on temperature. The PTAT voltage-generating unit generates a temperature-dependent voltage with a positive or negative dependency on temperature. The temperature-dependent voltage is equal to the reference voltage at a target temperature. The comparison unit compares the reference voltage with the temperature-dependent voltage. The selection unit selects and outputs either the reference voltage or the temperature-dependent voltage.