Thermal Sensor Circuit Using Resistor Branch for Temperature Variation Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal sensors face challenges in accurately measuring temperature variations due to non-linear temperature coefficients and added complexity from additional circuitry required to cancel noise and current mismatch.
Innovation Solution
A circuit design that generates two voltages based on a single current using a resistor branch with equal resistance values, where the temperature variation of one voltage is canceled by the temperature variation of the other, allowing for increased accuracy in temperature measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bipolar transistor (BJT) is used as part of a sensor, then the sensor can detect temperature variations, but the temperature coefficient is non-linear and measurement accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor into multiple independent sensor units, each consisting of a BJT and associated circuitry. Each sensor unit operates independently to measure temperature at different locations, allowing the system to handle complex temperature distributions while maintaining measurement accuracy through localized sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring temperature at a single point to measuring temperature across multiple spatial dimensions by deploying multiple sensor units throughout the semiconductor device. This enables three-dimensional temperature mapping and provides comprehensive thermal characterization.
2Measurement precision
If additional circuitry is added to cancel noise and current mismatch, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor units into a single integrated sensor circuit that shares common reference structures and signal processing pathways. By merging the functionality of multiple independent sensors while maintaining their spatial separation, the circuit reduces overall complexity compared to having separate circuits for each sensor while preserving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the sensor circuit to perform multiple functions: temperature measurement at different locations, noise cancellation, and current mismatch compensation are all achieved within the same circuit architecture. The reference structures and signal processing elements serve multiple purposes across different sensor units.
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 provides accurate temperature measurements by canceling temperature variations and reducing complexity, eliminating the need for additional circuitry to address noise and current mismatch, and is applicable in both planar and FinFET semiconductor structures.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature variation of one voltage is canceled by the temperature variation of the other
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes a first current source that provides a current and a resistive branch in series with the first current source that provides a first voltage value and a second voltage value. A capacitive device is coupled with a voltage node having a voltage value, and a switching network alternates between charging the capacitive device to have the voltage value increase to the first voltage value, and discharging the capacitive device to have the voltage value decrease to the second voltage value.