Back to results
US 10,378,969 B2Granted
Temperature sensor
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsDi Zhu, Chin Yeong Koh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided where a first current and a second current are provided selectively to a semiconductor component, and times for charging a capacitor to a voltage at the semiconductor component are provided.
Claims20
A device comprising:
- a capacitor,
- a semiconductor component,
- a current generator, wherein the current generator is configured to supply a charging current to the capacitor and to selectively supply at least a first current or a second current different from the first current to the semiconductor component, and
- a time evaluation circuit coupled to the capacitor and to the semiconductor component and configured to measure a first charging time for charging the capacitor to a first voltage that matches a voltage at the semiconductor component while the first current is supplied to the semiconductor component and a second charging time for charging the capacitor to a second voltage that matches a voltage at the semiconductor component while the second current is supplied to the semiconductor component.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- providing a first current to a semiconductor device,
- measuring a first charging time for a capacitor to reach a first voltage that matches a voltage at the semiconductor device while the first current is supplied,
- providing a second current to the semiconductor device different from the first current, and
- measuring a second charging time for the capacitor to reach a second voltage that matches a voltage at the semiconductor device while the second current is supplied to the semiconductor device.
1 more element
A temperature sensor device comprising:
- a current generator,
- a capacitor coupled to the current generator,
- a switch coupled in parallel to the capacitor,
- a semiconductor component coupled to the current generator,
- a comparator, wherein a first input of the comparator is coupled to a node between the current generator and the capacitor and wherein a second input of the comparator is coupled to a node between the current generator and the semiconductor component,
- a counter coupled to an output of the comparator,
- wherein the current generator is switchable between supplying a first current to the semiconductor component and supplying a second current different from the first current to the semiconductor component.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.