Efficient method of sharing diode pins on multi-channel remote diode temperature sensors

A temperature sensor, comprising:

• a variable current supply in electrical communication with a switch arrangement through a first force line;
• a bias circuit in electrical communication with the switch arrangement through a second force line;
• an analog-to-digital converter having a first input terminal in electrical communication with the switch arrangement through a first sense line, a second input terminal in electrical communication with the switch arrangement through a second sense line, and an output terminal in electrical communication with a logic block;
• a plurality of pairs of data pins in electrical communication with the switch arrangement;
• and
• the logic block operatively coupled to the switch arrangement so as to electrically connect the first force line and the first sense line to one data pin in one pair of the plurality of data pins, and further electrically connect the second force line and the second sense line to the other data pin in one pair of the plurality of data pins;
• wherein the switch arrangement in cooperation with the logic block operatively reverses the first force line, first sense line, second force line and second sense line electrical connections, and further wherein the switch arrangement and logic block operatively cooperate to switch the first force line, the first sense line, the second force line and the second sense line electrical connections to other pairs of data pins.

A temperature sensor comprising:

• a variable current supply in electrical communication with a switch arrangement through a first force line;
• a bias circuit in electrical communication with the switch arrangement through a second force line;
• an analog-to-digital converter having a first input terminal in electrical communication with the switch arrangement through a first sense line, a second input terminal in electrical communication with the switch arrangement through a second sense line, and an output terminal in electrical communication with a logic block;
• first, second and third data pins in electrical communication with the switch arrangement;
• and
• the logic block operatively coupled to the switch arrangement so as to electrically connect the first force line and the first sense line to one of the first, second and third data pins, and further electrically connect the second force line and the second sense line to one of the other among the first, second and third data pins;
• wherein the switch arrangement in cooperation with the logic block operatively reverses the first force line, the first sense line, the second force line and the second sense line electrical connections.