Back to results
US 2010/0134180 A1Published application
Bandgap-referenced thermal sensor
AssigneeMicrel, Inc.
InventorsPaul AD Smith, Paul Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeMicrel, Inc.
InventorsPaul AD Smith, Paul Wilson
Estimating the term…
A thermal sensor for an integrated circuit including a bandgap reference circuit. The thermal sensor includes a comparator that compares a temperature dependent voltage generated by the bandgap reference circuit to a temperature independent voltage, where both temperatures are referenced to the bandgap reference voltage generated by the bandgap reference circuit. The thermal sensor generates a digital output control signal based on a predetermined relationship between the temperature dependent voltage and the temperature independent reference voltage. When used as a thermal shutdown circuit, the comparator generates a thermal shut-down signal when the dependent temperature voltage decreases (or increases) with rising system temperature to equal to the temperature independent reference voltage. The comparator is implemented using an operational amplifier that is connected to existing circuitry associated with the bandgap reference circuit.
(canceled)
The integrated circuit according to claim 5, wherein said means for generating a temperature independent voltage comprises a voltage divider connected between said bandgap reference voltage and ground.
(canceled)
(canceled)
An integrated circuit including:
(canceled)
(canceled)
An integrated circuit including:
(canceled)
An integrated circuit comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.