Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Temperature sensor
- Patent Title (中): 温度感应器
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Application No.: US12615597Application Date: 2009-11-10
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Publication No.: US08217708B2Publication Date: 2012-07-10
- Inventor: Kiyoshi Yoshikawa
- Applicant: Kiyoshi Yoshikawa
- Applicant Address: JP
- Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
- Current Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: JP
- Agency: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
- Priority: JP2008-292512 20081114
- Main IPC: H03K3/011
- IPC: H03K3/011 ; G01K7/34 ; G01K7/01

Abstract:
A temperature sensor performs more precise temperature measurement, even when manufacturing fluctuations are present in semiconductor elements forming a circuit for generating a temperature-dependent current. The temperature sensor includes: a temperature-dependent voltage generation circuit for generating a temperature-dependent potential that is dependent on temperature; a current generation circuit for allowing a temperature-dependent current to flow based on the temperature-dependent potential; a reference current generation circuit for generating a reference current that is independent of temperature; a capacitor that is charged alternately with the temperature-dependent current during a first charge period and the reference current during a second charge period; a pulse generation circuit for comparing a charged voltage of the capacitor with a reference voltage to generate a pulse; and a control circuit for alternately supplying the temperature-dependent current and the reference current to the capacitor. The temperature-dependent voltage generation circuit includes switches for switching connection relations between MOS transistors forming a current source circuit included in the temperature-dependent voltage generation circuit and bipolar transistors each serving as a load of the current source circuit.
Public/Granted literature
- US20100123510A1 TEMPERATURE SENSOR Public/Granted day:2010-05-20
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