Abstract: A method for managing thermal condition of a thermal zone that includes multiple thermally controllable components include determining thermal relationship between the components and reducing temperature of a first component by reducing thermal dissipation of a second component.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a reference voltage generator, a sensing temperature controller and a first differential amplifier. The reference voltage generator generates a reference voltage having a first slope that varies in accordance with variations of a peripheral temperature, and a temperature sensing voltage having a second slope that varies in accordance with variations of the peripheral temperature. The sensing temperature controller controls an offset of an amplifier in response to a first control signal, and amplifies a voltage difference between the reference voltage and the temperature sensing voltage to generate a first differential output signal, and a second differential output signal having an inverted phase of the first differential output signal. The first differential amplifier amplifies a voltage difference between the first differential output signal and the second differential output signal to generate a sensor output signal.

Abstract: A circuit and method for providing temperature data indicative of a temperature measured by a temperature sensor. The circuit is coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to identify for a coarse temperature range one of a plurality of fine temperature ranges corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and generate temperature data that is provided on an asynchronous output data path.

Abstract: In one set of embodiments, trimming of a reference, which may be a bandgap reference and which is configured on an integrated circuit, may be controlled by an algorithm executed by logic circuitry also configured on the integrated circuit. The bandgap reference may be configured to generate a reference voltage provided to an analog to digital converter (ADC) comprised in a temperature sensor that may also be configured on the integrated circuit. The logic circuitry may be configured to execute one or more of a variety of test algorithms, for example a Successive Approximation Method or remainder processing, that are operable to adjust values of reference trim bits used in trimming the bandgap reference.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including an evaporator, a suction header in fluid communication with the evaporator, a compressor in fluid communication with the suction header, and a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor and the evaporator. The refrigeration system further including a controller operable to control the compressor and a sensor coupled to the compressor. The sensor is operable to acquire a parameter for the compressor. The method of operating the refrigeration system includes acquiring a value for the parameter with the sensor, and determining if the sensor is faulty.

Abstract: An apparatus and method measure a temperature of a temperature sensing element having a temperature dependent resistance based on a ratio of discharge times of a capacitor through a reference resistance and through the combination of the reference resistance in parallel with the temperature sensing element is disclosed. A reference discharge time is determined by measuring the discharge time of the capacitor from a first voltage to a second voltage through a reference resistance. A temperature evaluation discharge time is determined by measuring the time to discharge the capacitor from the first voltage to the second voltage through the reference resistance in parallel with the temperature sensing element. The ratio of the temperature evaluation discharge time to the reference discharge time is used to determine the temperature and produce a digital representation of the temperature.

Abstract: A frequency ratio digitizing temperature sensor for generating a linearity-corrected temperature output signal includes an input generation circuit receiving a PTAT current and a CTAT current and a frequency ratio ADC including data and reference oscillators. The input generation circuit generates a first current from the weighted sum of the PTAT current and the CTAT current and also generates a first corrected current being the sum of the first current and a first portion of the PTAT current. The input generation circuit provides a first output current indicative of the PTAT current and a first output voltage generated by applying the first corrected current to a first resistor for use with the data oscillator and provides a second output current being the first corrected current and a second output voltage generated by applying the first current to a second resistor for use with the reference oscillator of the ADC.

Abstract: A thermoelectric connector module (C) is disclosed which comprises input (2) and output (1E) connectors and contains signal conditioning circuitry (1C). The input connectors (2) are interfaced with a hand-held detector (7), and the output connectors (1E) are connected to signal-utilising apparatus (11). The module does not contain a battery but receives its power supply for the conditioning circuitry from the signal-utilising apparatus supplied via the output connectors (1E). In this way, the module may be miniaturised, making it particularly suitable for mounting directly on a hand-held temperature detector or probe. Since the connector does not have to be opened for a battery replacement, it can be permanently hermetically sealed, providing resistance to dirt, dust, moisture, water and the like.

Abstract: A digitizing temperature measurement system for providing a digital temperature measurement includes an excitation source for providing switched excitation currents to two or three temperature sensing elements and an ADC circuit including a charge-balancing modulator and a digital post processing circuit. The system utilizes synchronous AC excitation of the temperature sensing elements and an AC coupled analog-to-digital converter input. The temperature measurement system also implements correlated double sampling for noise cancellation to provide low noise and highly accurate analog-to-digital conversions. The modulator receives a charge domain reference signal generated by a reference charge packet generator incorporating a charge based bandgap subsystem. Therefore, the temperature measurement system can be operated at very low supply voltages, such as 1.0 Vdc.

Abstract: A centrifuge temperature pre-calibration apparatus including a memory storage device having correction coefficients for temperature, a controller, an un-calibrated temperature sensor and a calibrated temperature display device connected to a computer which based on data from these connections calculates a slope of a line and calculates actual temperature based on this slope and an offset value. The slope is determined by the ratio of the difference between a second data point and a first data point of the calibrated temperature display device and the difference between the second data point and the first data point of the un-calibrated temperature sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for sensing a physical stimulus of an integrated circuit. The apparatus and method allow for accurate die temperature measurements of the integrated circuit and are able to provide a highly accurate die temperature measurement without the need for an independent voltage source or current source.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring temperature with all digital components in an integrated circuit. During manufacture, the number of clock period cycles during a known period of time at a predetermined temperature is stored in non-volatile memory. Later, during use of the integrated circuit, a clock circuit is activated and each cycle of its period is counted during a known length of time. Using the previously saved number of clock circuit cycles at a predetermined temperature and a current count of clock cycles for another known length of time, the current period of the clock circuit can be calculated and used to determine the current temperature.

Abstract: A digitizing temperature measurement system for providing a digital temperature measurement includes an excitation source for providing switched excitation currents to two or three temperature sensing elements and an ADC circuit including a charge-balancing modulator and a digital post processing circuit. The system utilizes synchronous AC excitation of the temperature sensing elements and an AC coupled analog-to-digital converter input. The temperature measurement system also implements correlated double sampling for noise cancellation to provide low noise and highly accurate analog-to-digital conversions. The modulator receives a charge domain reference signal generated by a reference charge packet generator incorporating a charge based bandgap subsystem. Therefore, the temperature measurement system can be operated at very low supply voltages, such as 1.0 Vdc.

Abstract: An apparatus compensates for voltage and temperature variations on an integrated circuit with: a voltage sensor having a digital voltage output; a temperature sensor having a digital temperature output; a register coupled to the voltage sensor and the temperature sensor, the register adapted to concatenate the digital voltage output and the temperature output into an address output; and a memory device having an address input coupled to the address output of the register, the memory device being adapted to store one or more corrective vectors.

Abstract: A remotely programmable integrated sensor transmitter device for measuring and reporting a physical quantity of a given medium comprises a sensor for measuring a physical quantity of a medium and providing an electrical output as a function of the property measured, a scaler module for receiving the electrical output and for producing a scaled analog signal as a function of the physical quantity and a scale selection input, and a data interface for receiving programming data from an external computer and for providing the scale selection output to the scaler module.

Abstract: A method and circuit are disclosed for measuring temperature. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first oscillator circuit that generates a first signal having a frequency that is dependent upon a sensed temperature. Difference circuitry determines a difference in frequency between the first signal and the second signal having a frequency that is substantially independent of temperature, and generates a difference signal having a number of pulses thereon based upon the difference. A counter circuit is responsive to the difference circuitry for offsetting a predetermined temperature level based upon the pulses appearing on the difference signal, to obtain an output signal indicative of the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A space vehicle includes a temperature sensitive oscillator carried by a housing. The temperature sensitive oscillator includes a radiation hardened inverting gain circuit, such as a comparator, able to withstand radiation in an ambient space environment, and a thermistor connected to the radiation hardened inverting gain circuit so that an output frequency of the temperature sensitive oscillator varies based upon a temperature of the thermistor. Also, a frequency counter is preferably connected to the temperature sensitive oscillator for generating a digital output signal representative of a sensed temperature. The sensed temperature may be used by one or more electronic circuits connected to the frequency counter.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent measuring resistor is connected to a reference resistor in series, wherein this series connection is flowed through by a constant impressed current. A connection point located between the two resistors is connected to the N-input of a first feedback differential amplifier, whose P-input is supplied with direct current voltage tapped from a voltage divider. During a temperature increase in the area of the measuring resistor, the potential increases at the output of the first differential amplifier, which delivers the constant impressed current and is connected to the measuring resistor, while the potential at the output of the differential amplifier falls when the temperature falls. The temperature-dependent voltage signal that is output at the differential amplifier is supplied in subtracting connection to the P-input of an after-connected second differential amplifier, whose output is connected to a measurement unit for measuring the voltage characteristic of the temperature.

Abstract: A temperature detector comprising temperature sensing circuitry, calibration circuitry, and power regular circuitry. The temperature sensing circuitry has an output that varies with temperature to create a temperature variation. The calibration circuitry is coupled to receive the output that varies with temperature to create a temperature variation. The calibration circuitry interprets the temperature variation and outputs a valve that represents the temperature. The power supply regulator circuitry coordinates power to the temperature sensing circuitry.

Abstract: A thermoelectric cold junction compensator connector module, for use with a thermoelectric device such as a thermistor, thermocouple, or resistance-temperature device, has within a housing a cold junction compensator circuit which has means for linearization of voltage output of the circuit relative to input to the circuit. Preferably the circuit also includes potentiometer means for adjustment of at least one parameter of the circuit, and means for adjustment of its voltage output to correspond to degrees Centigrade and degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A time-based digital temperature sensing system has a first oscillator which is temperature sensitive. The first oscillator has a temperature coefficient which allows the first oscillator to generate an output signal which varies linearly as a function of temperature. A second oscillator is provided and is used to generates a reference clock signal. The outputs from the first and the second oscillator are coupled to a timer. The timer has a clock input coupled to an output of the second oscillator and an enable input coupled to an output of the first oscillator. From these input signals, the timer generates a number indicative of a length of time the timer is enabled by the first oscillator. The number is proportional to a current temperature of a material that is being monitored by the temperature sensing system.

Abstract: A temperature sensor which can achieve accurate temperature measurement in a magnetic field and accurate temperature measurement over a broader temperature range and, further, provides a temperature sensor which, in the correction of a temperature characteristic on a resistance value of the present temperature sensor, can reduce, to a minimal possible extent, an error between a value found from an approximation equation and a measured value, includes a cylindrical type sensor including a temperature-sensitive device having a micro-crystalline semiconductor thin film formed over an insulating substrate and four electrodes connected to the thin film, a cylindrical container made of a nonmagnetic metal and holding the temperature-sensitive device, together with a helium gas, hermetically sealed therein and four conductors hermetically mounted at the bottom of the container and connected to the corresponding electrodes of the temperature-sensitive device, with the micro-crystalline semiconductor thin film 2 being

Abstract: A meter measures a voltage across a quasi-diode, the voltage caused by a current flowing through a resistance which changes substantially exponentially with changes in a medium being sensed. The meter comprises a logarithmic current measuring circuit coupled to the resistance to provide a measurement output that is a logarithmic function of the current flowing through the sensing resistance. A switchable current source is controlled by a switching circuit to repetitively output first and second current values. A reference logarithmic circuit is connected to the switchable current source and is physically coupled to the logarithmic measuring circuit so as to be maintained at a substantially equal temperature value. The logarithmic reference circuit manifests a first voltage in response to the first current value and a second voltage in response to the second current value, both voltage values dependent upon the temperature of the logarithmic reference circuit.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus and method which utilizes a characteristic of a temperature detection device which detects temperature over a wide range of changing temperature and makes it possible to control a unit by detecting a wide range of changing temperature of the unit using the single temperature detection device. A temperature detection circuit outputs a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the temperature detection device, whose resistance value varies with changes in temperature, which voltage is A/D (analog-to-digital) converted into a digital step value. This digital step value is converted to a temperature value using a predetermined mathematical relationship. The temperature control is executed using the converted temperature value and a desired temperature value in the same data form as the converted temperature value.

Abstract: A high resolution digital thermometer capable of measuring temperature differences on the order of several micro-degrees centigrade. The device includes a bridge circuit having two thermistors in series. An output of the bridge circuit feeds a signal to an analog-to-digital convertor via a high gain amplifier. A computer maintains the balance of the bridge circuit to avoid a situation wherein the range of the analog-to-digital convertor would be exceeded.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer includes a temperature sensing assembly incorporating a temperature sensor element, and a measuring and processing unit for determining and displaying the temperature, wherein the temperature sensing assembly and the measuring and processing unit are physically separable from each other. The temperature sensing assembly includes a code for recording information of the temperature characteristic or the like of the incorporated temperature sensor element. With the aid of the code, the measuring and processing unit is capable of correcting nonuniformity in the characteristic of the mutually exchangeable temperature sensing assemblies, to thereby assure a correct reading.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer includes: an oscillator capable of changing from a connection between a reference and a capacitor and a resistance bulb and the capacitor. A counter is used for counting the oscillation frequency of the oscillator, and a clock is used to measure the time needed for the counter to count up to a specified number. The thermometer uses a memory circuit for preliminarily storing data to be used in a linearization process. A control circuit is included for linearizing the temperature to be detected by suppressing certain count pulses on a count by count basis according to data stored in a one-bit ROM. The temperature is then displayed by a display device.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer is provided in which the number of pulses counted in a first count and the number of pulses counted in a second count are respectively proportional to the resistance of a reference resistance and that of a thermosensing element. When the first counted value is to be adjusted so as to realize the absolute value adjustment of the thermometer, the difference between the resistance of the thermosensing element and the resistance of the reference resistor is adjusted by varying the number of counts in a counter upon whose content the timing of the second count depends. Accordingly, the absolute value precision adjustment of the electronic thermometer is realized by providing an initial logic adjustment circuit in which the number of the first clock counts is appropriately varied.

Abstract: An improved SCUBA diving gauge. A pictograph display is provided which has a shape which conveys the type of information being displayed. The pictograph has the shape of a SCUBA tank for a tank pressure display and the shape of a person for a display of nitrogen absorbed. Pressure transducers coupled to the SCUBA tank and the external water provided the pressure readings required to produce the respective displays. The differential signal from the transducer is supplied to a processor through an auto-zeroing circuit. The auto-zeroing circuit uses a capacitor initially coupled to an amplifier reference input and single ended output to store an offset voltage. During a measurement, the capacitor is disconnected from the amplifier output and has its other lead coupled to a full scale value of the differential input to produce an output signal which is a ratio.

Abstract: A thermistor thermometer has a reference resistance correcting section for controlling the number of pulses of an oscillation signal to a predetermined reference value. The oscillation signal is sampled in response to a measuring time signal at a reference temperature. The reference temperature is given as a predetermined temperature below a possible operating temperature range. The thermistor thermometer also has a sensitivity correcting section for operating the thermometer for first and second operating intervals at different counting rates. The first and second operating intervals constitute a sampling period of the measuring time signal. The first and second operating intervals of the sensitivity correcting section are switched over in response to a reference count signal from a temperature counter. The temperature counter counts the oscillation signals sampled in response to the measuring time signal and generates temperature data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for rating a thermometer probe, wherein the thermometer probe includes a small thermistor sensing element and a pair of conductors connected with the thermistor contacts and being supported upon a substrate. With the thermistor held at a particular temperature, the electrical resistance of the thermometer probe is measured and the difference between the resistance of that probe and a standard resistance is fed to a computer which operates a laser to encode a machine-readable character on the probe representative of the difference between the measured resistance of the probe and the standard resistance. In use, the probe is inserted in a readout and the readout senses the actual resistance of the thermometer probe which is dependent upon the temperature of the thermistor.

Abstract: A controlled temperature oven provided with a pyrometer having a temperature sensitive resistance, an electrical heating element, a nonlinear heat sensing element within the oven chamber, and a variable power supply electrically connected to the heating element, the variable power supply being controlled in response to the nonlinear heat sensing element, and a switch assembly having a plurality of pairs of single pole double throw switches with a common actuation member for each pair of switches, one switch of each pair being connected in a first cascade of switches and the other switch of each pair being connected in a second cascade of switches, the switches of the first cascade of switches connecting one of a plurality of manually adjustable resistors to the variable power supply to control the output thereof, and the switches of the second cascade of switches connecting one of a plurality of variable resistors to the pyrometer to indicate the temperature selected by the switches of the first cascade of sw

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is equipped with an input/output unit for delivering data to externally located equipment and for receiving data from the externally located equipment, or with an input unit for receiving data from the externally located unit, and is adapted to generate correlation data between data delivered by a sensing system provided within the measuring apparatus proper, and data delivered by a standard measurement system which can be disconnected from the measuring apparatus. The correlation data is generated by a data processing device located outside or located within the measuring apparatus, through the intermediary of the input/output unit or the input unit. The generated correlation data is stored, in non-volatile fashion, in a storage section located in the measuring apparatus, in such a manner that the data can be read out of the storage section in response to the data from the sensing system contained within the measuring apparatus.