Multi-channel remote diode temperature sensor
AssigneeNational Semiconductor Corporation
InventorsMehmet Aslan, Richard Henderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-channel remote diode temperature sensor that receives current flow across a plurality of remote diodes on a plurality of channels at a single negative data pin, is small in size and has reduced noise coupling between channels at the common negative data pin. The noise coupling of the multi-channel remote diode temperature sensor is minimized by placing an output of a low impedance buffer in electrical communication with the negative data pin. The voltage produced by the low impedance buffer automatically stabilizes the common mode voltage at the negative data pin. The size is minimized by configuring all channels of the multi-channel remote diode temperature sensor to share the sole negative data pin, thereby reducing pin count.
Claims8
A temperature sensor comprising:
- a plurality of remote diodes, each remotely located from one another;
- a temperature sensor including:
- a variable current supply configured to produce either a base current or an integer multiple of the base current;
- a plurality of positive data pins, each in electrical communication with the variable current supply;
- a negative data pin;
- and
- an analog-to-digital converter having a first input terminal in electrical communication with the variable current supply, a second input terminal in electrical communication with the negative data pin, and an output terminal;
- a plurality of output lines, each electrically communicates one of the positive data pins with one of the remote diodes;
- a plurality of input lines, each electrically communicates the negative data pin with one of the remote diodes;
- and
- a low impedance buffer with an input node and an output node, the input node in electrical communication with a voltage reference, while the output node in electrical communication with the negative data pin, the low impedance buffer configured to output a voltage attenuating noise crossing between the input lines at the negative data pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.