IP Library Granted Patent US 11,808,641
Granted Patent B2
US 11,808,641 · App. 17/656,595 · Granted Nov 7, 2023

Fractional mirror ratio technique for digital remote temperature sensors, and related systems, methods, and devices

Inventors: Ajay Kumar (Phoenix, AZ); Hyunsoo Yeom (Chandler, AZ)
Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
G01K7/01
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,808,641
App. No.
17/656,595
Granted
Nov 7, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, methods and devices relate to remote temperature sensing responsive to fractional currents used to bias a remote temperature diode. Fractional currents may be selected to simplify at least some temperature calculations performed using digital logic. Values of at least two voltage changes may be determined at least partially based on values of voltages generated across a pair of nodes at least partially responsive to excitation currents. Such pair of nodes associated with sensing paths coupled with a remote diode. A value of temperature may be determined at least partially based on the values of at least two voltage changes and a stored value of a fractional mirror ratio. The fractional mirror ratio represents a relationship between current magnitudes of excitation currents.

Claims (23)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a computer-readable media to store a value of a fractional mirror ratio, wherein the fractional mirror ratio represents a relationship between current magnitudes of excitation currents; and

a logic circuit to:

determine values of at least two voltage changes at least partially based on values of voltages generated across a pair of nodes at least partially responsive to the excitation currents, wherein the pair of nodes is associated with sensing paths coupled with a remote diode; and

determine a value of temperature at least partially based on the values of the at least two voltage changes and the value of the fractional mirror ratio.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fractional mirror ratio is characterized in that a natural logarithm of the fractional mirror ratio or an integer-multiple of the fractional mirror ratio is a non-fractional integer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the logic circuit is operable to be coupled to receive:

first and second values of first voltages generated across the pair of nodes at least partially responsive to a first pair of excitation currents; and

first and second values of second voltages generated across the pair of nodes at least partially responsive to a second pair of excitation currents.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the logic circuit determines the value of temperature at least partially based on a function that defines a relationship between temperature and current ratios, current magnitudes, and voltage changes.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the value of the fractional mirror ratio comprises a first value that represents a first fractional mirror ratio and a second value that represents a second fractional mirror ratio, wherein the first value and the second value are different.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first fractional mirror ratio is for a first pair of excitation currents, and the second fractional mirror ratio is for a second pair of excitation currents.

7. A method, comprising:

determining values of at least two voltage changes at least partially based on values of voltages generated across a pair of nodes at least partially responsive to excitation currents, wherein the pair of nodes is associated with sensing paths coupled with a remote diode; and

determining a value of temperature at least partially based on the values the of at least two voltage changes and a stored value of a fractional mirror ratio, wherein the fractional mirror ratio represents a relationship between current magnitudes of excitation currents.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the fractional mirror ratio is characterized in that a natural logarithm of the fractional mirror ratio or an integer-multiple of the fractional mirror ratio is a non-fractional integer.

9. The method of claim 7 , comprising:

receiving first and second values of first voltages generated across the pair of nodes at least partially responsive to a first pair of excitation currents; and

receiving first and second values of second voltages generated across the pair of nodes at least partially responsive to a second pair of excitation currents.

10. The method of claim 7 , comprising:

determining the value of temperature at least partially based on a function that defines a relationship between temperature and current ratios, current magnitudes, and voltage changes.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the stored value of the fractional mirror ratio comprises a first stored value that represents a first fractional mirror ratio and a second stored value that represents a second fractional mirror ratio, wherein the first stored value and the second stored value are different.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first fractional mirror ratio is for a first pair of excitation currents, and the second fractional mirror ratio is for a second pair of excitation currents.

Continuity (3)
Continuation 16228045 · Dec 20, 2018
Provisional Application 62736937 · Sep 26, 2018
Related Publication 20220214224A1 · Jul 7, 2022