Voltage-Temperature Sensor Using Dual-Sensitivity Converters

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the scale of integrated circuits decreases, on-chip variations in circuit design and chip debugging become challenging due to deviations in manufacturing processes and operational conditions such as voltage and temperature, requiring accurate measurement of operational voltage and temperature to control circuits effectively.

Innovation Solution

A voltage-temperature sensor system comprising a first and second converter, each generating digital data with different sensitivities to operational voltage and temperature, and a data processing block that extracts the operational voltage and temperature combination using a combination of digital data from both converters, implemented with time-to-digital converters and ring oscillators, excluding on-chip analog components and off-chip resistors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the scale of integrated circuits is decreased, then the integration density is improved, but on-chip variations in circuit design and chip debugging become more difficult due to deviations in manufacturing process and operational conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration densityVSAvoidon-chip variations measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement function into two independent converters: a first converter dedicated to voltage measurement and a second converter dedicated to temperature measurement. Each converter is optimized for its specific parameter, allowing accurate measurement of on-chip variations without interfering with the high-density integration of the overall circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a data processing block as an intermediary that receives digital data from both converters and extracts the combination of operational voltage and temperature. This intermediary component processes the measurement data to provide accurate readings of on-chip variations, enabling effective debugging and monitoring in high-density integrated circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If single converter is used for voltage and temperature measurement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of both parameters simultaneously is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconverter structureVSAvoidvoltage and temperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is segmented into two specialized converters: the first converter with sensitivity optimized for voltage detection, and the second converter with sensitivity optimized for temperature detection. This segmentation allows each converter to achieve high measurement precision for its designated parameter without being compromised by the other parameter's measurement requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each converter is designed with local quality optimized for its specific measurement function. The first converter has sensitivity characteristics tailored for voltage measurement, while the second converter has sensitivity characteristics tailored for temperature measurement. This localized optimization ensures high measurement precision for both parameters simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If converters with different sensitivities are used, then the accuracy of extracting operational voltage and temperature combination is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational voltage and temperature extraction accuracyVSAvoiddual converter system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the measurement function into two specialized converters with different sensitivity characteristics. The first converter is more sensitive to voltage changes, while the second converter is more sensitive to temperature changes. This segmentation enables accurate extraction of both operational parameters through their complementary sensitivity profiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The data processing block uses feedback from both converters to accurately extract the combination of operational voltage and temperature. By processing the digital data from both converters with different sensitivities, the system can determine the actual operational conditions through comparative analysis, improving measurement accuracy despite the increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9110104B2Voltage-temperature sensor and system including the same

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A voltage-temperature sensor includes a first converter, a second converter and a data processing block. The first converter generates first digital data based on an operational voltage and an operational temperature. The first converter has a first sensitivity to the operational voltage and the operational temperature. The second converter generates second digital data based on the operational voltage and the operational temperature. The second converter has a second sensitivity to the operational voltage and the operational temperature. The second sensitivity is different from the first sensitivity. The data processing block determines a combination of an unknown value of the operational voltage and an unknown value of the operational temperature based on a combination of the first digital data and the second digital data.