Power transistor array temperature control system
AssigneeITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsJerome I. Glaser, Raymond Hann, Makoto Igawa
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for use with a transistor array for enhancing the array's performance and/or reliability and/or longevity by sensing the temperature of each transistor in the array and initiating corrective action to maintain its temperature within a desired operating range. Each array transistor has a temperature sensor closely thermally coupled thereto preferably mounted within the transistor package, in close physical proximity to the transistor junction.
Claims13
A temperature control system for use in combination with an array of multiple power transistors, said system comprising:
- a plurality of temperatures sensors;
- each of said temperature sensors being closely thermally coupled to a different one of said transistors for producing an output signal indicative of the temperature thereof;
- and
- controller means for monitoring each of said output signals for maintaining the temperature of each of said transistors within a predefined range, said controller means including a digital controller responsive to said output signals and a temperature modifying means for selectively modifying the temperature of each of said transistors.
In combination with an electronic system including a plurality of RF power transistors, a subsystem for maintaining the junction temperature of each of said transistors within a specified temperature range, said subsystem comprising:
- a plurality of temperature sensors each located to be closely thermally coupled to a different one of said transistors;
- each of said temperature sensors being operable to produce an output signal representative of the junction temperature of the transistor thermally coupled thereto;
- a plurality of controllable temperature modifying devices respectively associated with said plurality of transistors;
- and
- a controller responsive to said sensor output signals for controlling said temperature modifying devices to maintain the junction temperature of said transistors within a specified temperature range.
A method of enhancing the reliability of an array comprised of a plurality of RF power transistors, said method including the steps of:
- providing a plurality of temperature sensors each operable to produce an output signal indicative of the temperature thereat;
- thermally coupling each of said sensors to a different one of said transistors;
- monitoring the output signals produced by said sensors;
- and
- controlling a temperature modifying means for maintaining the temperature of each of said transistors within a defined range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.