Variable Gain Oscillator Circuit for Phase-Lag-Free Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature measurement systems for semiconductor components face phase lag issues during fast temperature transients, leading to inaccuracies in real-time monitoring, especially in production tests where quick calibration is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A circuit with a variable gain amplifier that allows switching between high and low gain-bandwidth modes to lock onto different resonant peaks, enabling accurate and real-time temperature measurements by eliminating phase lag between the component and sensor, and facilitating multi-point calibration within tight production timelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate temperature sensor (diode or band gap reference) is used to monitor temperature, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but phase lag occurs between the actual temperature of the component and the measured temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature sensing function with the oscillator circuit itself by making the resonator's resonant frequency temperature-dependent. This eliminates the need for a separate temperature sensor and removes the phase lag between the component temperature and measured temperature, as the oscillator directly experiences the temperature changes it is measuring.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillator circuit serves dual purposes: generating clock signals and sensing temperature. The resonator's frequency serves both as the operating frequency reference and as the temperature measurement signal, allowing one component to perform multiple functions and eliminate measurement delays.
2Reliability
If traditional temperature sensors are used, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but real-time transient response measurement is not possible due to phase lag
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the temperature sensing function into the oscillator circuit, the system achieves true real-time temperature measurement. The oscillator directly experiences and responds to temperature transients without the phase lag inherent in separate sensing mechanisms, enabling accurate transient response measurement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple crystals or capacitor/inductor pairs are used to create temperature sensors, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator circuit is designed to serve dual purposes: clock generation and temperature sensing. By making the resonator's frequency temperature-dependent, the same component that generates the clock signal also provides temperature measurement, eliminating the need for separate sensing circuits and reducing overall device complexity.
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 solution ensures precise and rapid temperature monitoring and compensation, eliminating phase lag and enabling accurate temperature calibration within production constraints, while also allowing for monitoring of other physical variables like pressure and gas density.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant device for providing an oscillating source... control of resonant peaks for selection for oscillation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for a temperature and calibration utilizing resonant frequency peaks in an oscillator. A circuit providing resonant peaks for utilization for temperature measurements comprising a resonator device for providing an oscillating source, a variable gain-bandwidth amplifier in parallel with the crystal/resonator for providing modulation of the gain and/or bandwidth driving the crystal/resonator, and control of resonant peaks for selection for oscillation, a first capacitor electrically coupled to the parallel combination of the input of the variable gain-bandwidth amplifier, and the resonator device for providing charge storage for oscillation, and a second capacitor electrically coupled to parallel combination of the output of the variable gain-bandwidth amplifier, and the resonator device for providing charge storage for oscillation.