Temperature control system

A method for controlling the temperature of a semiconductor device using a thermoelectric controller, using a first device capable of determining both a magnitude and a direction of current through the thermoelectric controller;

• the method including the steps of providing a second device also capable of determining a magnitude of current through the thermoelectric controller, and controlling the first and second devices to achieve a desired direction and magnitude of current through the thermoelectric controller at a level of electric power consumption lower than could be achieved using the first device alone.

A controller for controlling the temperature of a semiconductor device using a thermoelectric controller, wherein said controller is arranged to control a first device capable of determining both a magnitude and a direction of current through the thermoelectric controller and a second device also capable of determining a magnitude of current through the thermoelectric controller, on the basis of an electrical indicator of the temperature of the semiconductor device so as to achieve a desired direction and magnitude of current through the thermoelectric controller at a level of power consumption lower than could be achieved using the first device alone.

An electronic circuit for controlling the temperature of a semiconductor device using a thermoelectric controller, the electronic circuit including:

• a first device capable of determining both a direction and a magnitude of current through the thermoelectric controller;
• a second device also capable of determining a magnitude of current through the thermoelectric controller;
• and a controller for controlling the first and second devices on the basis of an electrical indicator of the temperature of the semiconductor device so as to achieve a desired direction and magnitude of current through the thermoelectric controller at a level of power consumption lower than could be achieved using the first device alone.