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US 6,587,002 B1Granted
Thermal control for an amplifier
AssigneeScientific-Atlanta, Inc.
InventorStephan Vogt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The preferred embodiment describes a thermal controller (305) that provides protection for heat sensitive devices (310) within an amplifier module (315). A thermal sensing circuit (370) is used for detecting any increases in temperature surrounding the devices (310) and the output is provided to the thermal controller (305), wherein the thermal controller (305) provides a current-limiting control (445), a voltage control (440), and a status monitor control (450).
Claims12
A thermal protective device, comprising:
- thermal sensing means for detecting a temperature of a heat sensitive device and for providing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature;
- and
- a thermal controller coupled to the thermal sensing means, the thermal controller comprising:
- comparing means for receiving the temperature signal and comparing the temperature signal to a desired signal to determine when the temperature has increased;
- a voltage controller for providing a control signal when an increase in temperature is detected that is greater than a threshold value;
- and
- a current controller for providing a current limiting signal when the temperature has increased.
4 more elements
An electronic device for processing signals, the electronic device comprising:
- an input port for receiving the signals;
- an output port for transmitting the signals;
- a power supply for supplying a voltage to the electronic device;
- and
- electrical circuitry coupled between the input port and the output port for processing the signals;
- the electrical circuitry comprising:
- an integrated circuit for processing the signals;
- and
- a thermal protective device for regulating a temperature of the integrated circuit, the thermal protective device comprising:
- thermal sensing means for detecting the temperature of the integrated circuit and for providing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature;
- and
- a thermal controller coupled to the thermal sensing means, the thermal controller comprising:
- comparing means for receiving the temperature signal and comparing the temperature signal to a desired signal to determine when the temperature has increased;
- a voltage controller for providing a control signal when an increase in temperature is detected that is greater than a threshold value;
- and
- a current controller for providing a current limiting signal when the temperature has increased.
13 more elements
An amplifier for processing signals, the amplifier comprising:
- an input port for receiving downstream signals;
- an output port for transporting upstream signals;
- a power supply for providing a voltage;
- a transponder coupled between the input port and the output port, and for receiving a command and for providing a monitor signal, wherein the monitor signal indicates the current status of the amplifier and is transported upstream;
- and
- a module coupled to the power supply and the transponder for processing signals, the module comprising:
- an integrated circuit for processing the signals;
- and
- a thermal protective device for regulating a temperature of the integrated circuit, the thermal protective device comprising:
- thermal sensing means for detecting the temperature of the integrated circuit and for providing a temperature signal indicative of the temperature;
- and
- a thermal controller, comprising:
- a first differential amplifier coupled to the thermal sensing means and the power supply;
- a second differential amplifier coupled to the first differential amplifier and a reference resistor, wherein the reference resistor is coupled to the power supply to provide control thereof;
- and
- a voltage controller coupled to the second differential amplifier for providing a control signal;
- a current controller coupled to the second differential amplifier for providing a current limiting signal;
- and
- a status monitor controller coupled to the second differential amplifier for providing the monitor signal to the transponder, wherein the monitor signal is indicative of the control signal and the current limiting signal.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.