IP Library Granted Patent US 11,381,228
Granted Patent B2
US 11,381,228 · App. 16/760,430 · Granted Jul 5, 2022

Sensor output circuit

Inventors: Masahiro Matsumoto (Tokyo, JP); Hiroshi Nakano (Tokyo, JP); Akira Kotabe (Hitachinaka, JP)
Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
H03K5/1252G05F3/26H03K17/16H03K17/161H03K19/00315H03K19/00361
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,381,228
App. No.
16/760,430
Granted
Jul 5, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sensor output circuit is limited with high accuracy, and reduces radio wave radiation by signal transmission using a single-line signal. The sensor output includes a pulse signal Vin that changes according to a physical quantity to be measured, MOS transistors that perform on/off operations according to the pulse signal Vin, a constant current source that generates a constant current, a MOS transistor which generates a gate voltage of a MOS transistor, MOS transistors which form a current mirror circuit, and the MOS transistor which works to maintain a drain voltage of the MOS transistor at a constant voltage, and the output terminal which is driven by the MOS transistors connected in series. In addition, an output signal from the sensor output circuit is transmitted to a control circuit via an output signal line. The control circuit includes a pull-up resistor, a capacitor, and an input gate circuit.

Claims (37)

1. A sensor output circuit having an output terminal that outputs a pulse signal, comprising:

a first MOS transistor that is driven by a constant current; and

a second MOS transistor that is provided between the first MOS transistor and the output terminal,

wherein a source terminal of the second MOS transistor is connected to a drain terminal of the first MOS transistor,

a drain terminal of the second MOS transistor is connected to the output terminal,

a breakdown voltage between a drain and a source of the second MOS transistor is higher than a breakdown voltage between a drain and a source of the first MOS transistor, and

a capacitor is disposed on at least one of a gate terminal of the first MOS transistor and a gate terminal of the second MOS transistor.

2. The sensor output circuit according to claim 1 , wherein a gate voltage of the second MOS transistor is kept constant, so that a voltage of a drain terminal of the first MOS transistor is kept a constant voltage.

3. The sensor output circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the first MOS transistor is a part of a MOS transistor forming a current mirror circuit.

4. The sensor output circuit according to claim 3 , wherein a switch circuit that controls a current on a source side exists between the source side of the current mirror circuit and a constant current source.

5. The sensor output circuit according to claim 4 , further comprising:

a second current mirror circuit that includes the second MOS transistor as a component,

wherein a switch circuit for controlling a current of the second current mirror circuit exists between a source side of the second current mirror circuit and a second constant current source.

6. The sensor output circuit according to claim 4 , wherein a digital to analog (DA) converter is connected to a gate terminal of the second MOS transistor.

7. The sensor output circuit according to claim 6 , wherein a waveform having a small amplitude is superimposed on a low level of the output terminal.

8. A sensor device, comprising:

the sensor output circuit according to claim 1 .

9. A sensor output circuit having an output terminal that outputs a pulse signal, comprising:

a first MOS transistor that is driven by a constant current;

a second MOS transistor that is provided between the first MOS transistor and the output terminal; and

a second current mirror circuit that includes the second MOS transistor as a component,

wherein a source terminal of the second MOS transistor is connected to a drain terminal of the first MOS transistor,

a drain terminal of the second MOS transistor is connected to the output terminal,

a breakdown voltage between a drain and a source of the second MOS transistor is higher than a breakdown voltage between a drain and a source of the first MOS transistor,

the first MOS transistor is a part of a MOS transistor forming a current mirror circuit,

a switch circuit that controls a current on a source side exists between the source side of the current mirror circuit and a constant current source, and

a switch circuit for controlling a current of the second current mirror circuit exists between a source side of the second current mirror circuit and a second constant current source.

10. A sensor output circuit having an output terminal that outputs a pulse signal, comprising:

a first MOS transistor that is driven by a constant current; and

a second MOS transistor that is provided between the first MOS transistor and the output terminal,

wherein a source terminal of the second MOS transistor is connected to a drain terminal of the first MOS transistor,

a drain terminal of the second MOS transistor is connected to the output terminal,

a breakdown voltage between a drain and a source of the second MOS transistor is higher than a breakdown voltage between a drain and a source of the first MOS transistor,

the first MOS transistor is a part of a MOS transistor forming a current mirror circuit,

a switch circuit that controls a current on a source side exists between the source side of the current mirror circuit and a constant current source, and

a digital to analog (DA) converter is connected to a gate terminal of the second MOS transistor.

11. The sensor output circuit according to claim 10 , wherein a waveform having a small amplitude is superimposed on a low level of the output terminal.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 22, 2021
From: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
Reel/Frame 058598/0321 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2020
From: MATSUMOTO, MASAHIRO; NAKANO, HIROSHI; KOTABE, AKIRA
To: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 052539/0018 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2017-229802 · Nov 30, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210409012A1 · Dec 30, 2021