Temperature Compensation Of Semiconductor Patents (Class 323/907)
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Patent number: 8370674Abstract: Computing and server power supplies are typically sized larger to deliver the maximum power the system may need. However since systems are not often used to capacity a smaller power supply may be used in conjunction with a thermal sensor to monitor a critical component of the power supply defined as the particular component within the power supply whose temperature reaches its maximum allowed limit sooner than any other power supply component when the average (continuous) power may exceed the power supply's max rating. When a critical temperature has been reached, an interrupt signal is generated by the power supply to signal the host to throttle back until the temperature comes back into an acceptable range.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Viktor D. Vogman
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Patent number: 8358119Abstract: A current reference circuit includes a proportional-to-absolute temperature (PTAT) current generator, a band-gap reference circuit and a current replication circuit. The PTAT generator generates a PTAT current. The band-gap reference circuit generates a reference voltage based on the PTAT current and generates a second current by cancelling a first current from the PTAT current. The first current has a zero temperature coefficient and the second current has a positive temperature coefficient. The current replication circuit replicates the first current based on the PTAT current and the second current.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hyoung-Rae Kim
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Patent number: 8350555Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a low reference voltage having low power consumption characteristics is provided. A reference voltage generating apparatus includes a constant current source circuit which generates a reference current. A load circuit is connected to the constant current source circuit and generates a voltage which is proportional to the reference current. A current branch circuit removes a portion of temperature-invariant current components included in the reference current from a connection terminal of the constant current source circuit and the load circuit to a ground terminal through a current branch which is different from a current branch of the load circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyoung-Rae Kim, Hyo-Sun Kim
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Patent number: 8351223Abstract: A secondary circuit of a flyback power converter has a resistor network to monitor the output current of the flyback power converter, so as to generate a voltage to apply to a base of a bipolar junction transistor to thereby provide a collector signal for output feedback. The resistor network has a temperature-dependent resistance to compensate the temperature dependence of the base-emitter voltage imparted to the output current and thereby stable the output current.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Richpower Microelectronics CorporationInventors: Ke-Chih Chou, Pei-Lun Huang
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Patent number: 8330445Abstract: Provided herein are circuits and methods to generate a voltage proportional to absolute temperature (VPTAT) and/or a bandgap voltage output (VGO) with low 1/f noise. A first base-emitter voltage branch is used to produce a first base-emitter voltage (VBE1). A second base-emitter voltage branch is used to produce a second base-emitter voltage (VBE2). The circuit also includes a first current preconditioning branch and/or a second current preconditioning branch. The VPTAT is produced based on VBE1 and VBE2. A CTAT branch can be used to generate a voltage complimentary to absolute temperature (VCTAT), which can be added to VPTAT to produce VGO. Which transistors are in the first base-emitter voltage branch, the second base-emitter voltage branch, the first current preconditioning branch, the second current pre-conditioning branch, and the CTAT branch changes over time.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventor: Steven G. Herbst
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Patent number: 8330476Abstract: A supply voltage management system and method for an integrated circuit (IC) die are provided. The supply voltage management system includes one or more temperature sensing elements located on the IC die and configured to sense temperature of the die and to output a sensed temperature value for the die. A dynamic voltage controller is located on the die and is configured to receive the sensed temperature value for the die and to identify a technology process category of the die. Based on the sensed temperature value and the identified technology process category of the die, the dynamic voltage controller adjusts an output voltage to at least one circuit of the die.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: ATI Technologies ULCInventors: Nancy Chan, Ramesh Senthinathan
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Patent number: 8313034Abstract: The present invention provides a reference power supply circuit which does not require trimming and prevents occurrence of deadlock of a band gap reference circuit. An RFID tag chip related to the present invention has a reference power supply including a switch for switching between a band gap reference circuit and a Vth difference reference circuit. A reference potential in band gap reference of the band gap reference circuit and an output of the Vth difference reference circuit are compared by a comparator, and a transistor operating as a switch is controlled, thereby making the reference potential in band gap reference rise, hastening startup of the band gap reference circuit, and preventing occurrence of deadlock in the band gap reference circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventor: Yuichi Okuda
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Patent number: 8269467Abstract: A dual-mode charger circuit includes a first charge circuit and a second charge circuit connected in parallel between a power source and a battery, to charge the battery under a slow charge mode and a quick charge mode. A central processing unit detects a capacity of the battery and determines whether the detected capacity exceeds a predetermined capacity, and outputs a mode control signal according to the determination. A mode switch circuit switches the second charger circuit on/off according to the mode control signal. When the second charge circuit is off, the battery is charged under the slow charge mode, and when the second charge circuit is on, the battery is charged under the quick charge mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignees: Ambit Microsystems (Shanghai) Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Rong Li, Feng-Chang Yan, Jian-Jun Liu
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Patent number: 8217707Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system and method for operating an Integrated Circuit (IC) includes inputting power to the IC in bursts, sensing an IC temperature using a temperature sensor, operating the IC by controlling the power to be outputted by the IC during the burst in dependence on the sensed IC temperature compared to a reference IC temperature using a controller, wherein the IC temperature is obtained at a predetermined moment prior to a start of the burst, and the IC is operated by setting an allowable power to be outputted by the IC prior to the start of the burst.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: ST-Ericsson SAInventor: Leonardus C. H. Ruijs
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Patent number: 8212606Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a drift trimming stage that includes a first current source providing a current with a first temperature dependency and a second current source providing a current with a second temperature dependency. The first and the second current source are coupled at a first node and configured to have equal currents at a first temperature. There is further a third current source providing a current with a third temperature dependency and a fourth current source providing a current with a fourth temperature dependency. The third current source and the fourth current source are coupled at a second node and configured to have equal currents at the first temperature. There is a first resistor coupled between the first node and a third node, a second resistor coupled between the second node and the third node. The first node and the second node are coupled to provide a combined voltage drop across the first resistor and the second resistor for reducing the offset drift.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Martijn F. Snoeij, Mikhail V. Invanov
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Patent number: 8203321Abstract: A DrMOS combines a high side power MOSFET, a low side power MOSFET and a driver circuit for driving the power MOSFETs with current balance and thermal balance mechanism and variable phase control circuit on a single chip.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.Inventors: Nai-Yuan Liang, Isaac Y. Chen, Shao-Hung Lu
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Patent number: 8203324Abstract: A temperature compensated low voltage reference circuit can be realized with a reduced operating voltage overhead and reduced spatial requirements This is accomplished in several ways including integrating one or more bipolar junction transistors into a current differencing amplifier and reducing the number of components required to implement various voltage reference circuits. All of the reference circuits may be constructed with various types of transistors including DTMOS transistors.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Paul M. Werking
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Patent number: 8154272Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a low reference voltage having low power consumption characteristics is provided. A reference voltage generating apparatus includes a constant current source circuit which generates a reference current. A load circuit is connected to the constant current source circuit and generates a voltage which is proportional to the reference current. A current branch circuit removes a portion of temperature-invariant current components included in the reference current from a connection terminal of the constant current source circuit and the load circuit to a ground terminal through a current branch which is different from a current branch of the load circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyoung-Rae Kim, Hyo-Sun Kim
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Patent number: 8111058Abstract: A reference voltage generating circuit in a semiconductor memory apparatus comprises a driving control signal generating unit configured to generate a driving control signal according to a temperature variation, wherein the driving control signal generating unit is enabled in response to a power-up signal, a driving unit configured to control a voltage level, which is applied to a voltage transfer node, in response to the power-up signal and the driving control signal, and a reference voltage generating unit configured to generate a reference voltage when a voltage level on the voltage transfer node is higher than a predetermined voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Dong-Keum Kang
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Patent number: 8106707Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for generating a curvature compensated bandgap voltage reference. In an embodiment, a curvature compensated bandgap reference voltage is achieved by injecting a temperature dependent current at different points in the bandgap reference voltage circuit. In an embodiment, the temperature dependent current is injected in the proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) and complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) current generation block of the bandgap circuit. Alternatively, or additionally, the temperature dependent current is injected at the output stage of the bandgap circuit. In an embodiment, the temperature dependent current is a linear piecewise continuous function of temperature. In another embodiment, the temperature dependent current has opposite dependence on temperature to that of the bandgap voltage reference before curvature compensation.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Vipul Katyal, Mark Rutherford
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Patent number: 8093831Abstract: A boost DC/DC power converter is disclosed that has a low voltage source, an inductor and a switching device that forms a series loop, a diode in series with a capacitor coupled across the switching device, a voltage divider coupled across the capacitor and a pulse width modulator that is coupled to the voltage divider. The boost converter includes a first push controller coupled across the switching device to provide a first push voltage of sufficient magnitude to turn the switching device on where the low voltage source by itself is not capable of generating a voltage of sufficient magnitude to operate the switching device.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Inventor: Qi Deng
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Patent number: 8072200Abstract: A current sensing circuit with AC and DC temperature compensation for sensing current through an output inductor which has an inherent DC resistor with a temperature varying resistance. A first RC circuit is coupled across the output inductor and has a time constant. The first amplifier provides a sense signal indicative of voltage of the first RC circuit. The second RC circuit is coupled to a first correction node and receives the sense signal. The second resistor has a temperature varying resistance so that the second RC circuit has a time constant commensurate with a time constant of the output inductor. The third RC circuit is coupled to a second correction node and has a time constant equal commensurate with the first RC circuit. The second amplifier provides a corrected sense signal based on the correction nodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Weihong Qiu, Shangyang Xiao, Kun Xing
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Patent number: 8063623Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a compensation circuit for providing compensation over PVT variations within an integrated circuit. Using a low voltage reference current source, the compensation circuit generates directly, from an on-chip reference low voltage supply (VDD), a reference current (Iref) that is constant over PVT variations, whereas a detection current (Iz) that is variable over PVT variations is generated by a sensing circuit, which is based on a current conveyor, from a low voltage supply (VDDE?VDD) applied across a single diode-connected transistor (M10) corresponding to a voltage difference between two reference low voltage supplies. Both currents (Iref, Iz) are then compared inside a current mode analog-to-digital converter that outputs a plurality of digital bits. These digital bits can be subsequently used to compensate for PVT variations in an I/O buffer circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.Inventors: Andy Negoi, Michel Zecri
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Patent number: 8057094Abstract: A power semiconductor module with temperature measurement is disclosed. One embodiment provides a conductor having a first end and a second end. The second end is thermally coupled at a substrate. A device including temperature sensor is thermally coupled at the first end and configured to determine a temperature at the second end using the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Piotr Tomasz Luniewski
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Patent number: 8022685Abstract: A circuit and a method for regulating a voltage supply where the method includes the steps of concurrently measuring temperature, IR drop and frequency response within the circuit, adjusting voltage supplied to the circuit in response to the measured temperature, IR drop and frequency response, and determining a correction value based on the variance of the measured frequency response from an expected frequency response and providing a correction for subsequent predetermined frequency response values. The frequency response measurement is dependent upon the constant bandgap voltage source which may very according to temperature. Upon a determination that corrections may be required for the bandgap voltage source to compensate for temperature variations, the measurement process which uses the bandgap voltage source can be altered to compensate for the temperature variations.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Deepak K. Singh, Francois Ibrahim Atallah
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Patent number: 8004266Abstract: A chopper stabilized bandgap voltage reference circuit comprises current mirror circuitry mirroring first and second currents into first and second networks to generate a forward diode voltage signal and a PTAT (proportional to absolute temperature) component signal, and a third current having a derived temperature coefficient into a third network to generate a reference voltage signal for a regulator. An amplifier amplifies a differential signal of the forward diode voltage signal and the PTAT component signal to output a fourth current to control the first and second currents. According to a chopper clock, a modulator modulates the differential signal to be supplied to the amplifier and a demodulator demodulates the fourth current. A gain loop compensation circuit is coupled to the demodulator to compensate the amplifier, and filter the fourth current for noise components, and a bypass circuit is also provided to the third network for filtering the third current.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Linear Technology CorporationInventor: Kelly Joel Consoer
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Patent number: 7965527Abstract: A device for protecting an electronic converter, e.g. for halogen lamps, includes a comparator having an output as well as non-inverting and inverting inputs for receiving a first input signal indicative of the load applied to the converter and a second input signal indicative of the temperature of the converter. The comparator is in a non-inverting Schmitt-trigger configuration having an input-output characteristic with hysteresis. Consequently, the output is switched from a first value to a second value to switch off the electronic converter as the first input signal exceeds a first threshold value. The output is switched back from the second value to the first value to restart the electronic converter when the first input signal falls below a second threshold value. The second threshold value is lower than the first threshold value, and both threshold values are a function of the signal indicative of the temperature of the converter.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter HaftungInventor: Marco Faccin
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Patent number: 7960961Abstract: A temperature corrected voltage bandgap circuit is provided. The circuit includes first and second diode connected transistors. A first switched current source is coupled to the one transistor to inject or remove a first current into or from the emitter of that transistor. The first current is selected to correct for curvature in the output voltage of the bandgap circuit at one of hotter or colder temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Dolpan Audio, LLCInventor: David Cave
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Patent number: 7948305Abstract: A circuit having a substrate, a generator with a field effect transistor (FET) portion and a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) portion integrated in the substrate, a voltage-to-voltage conveyor integrated in the substrate, a bias circuit, and a power amplifier is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Triquint Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Mikhail S. Shirokov, Grant A. Small
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Patent number: 7936204Abstract: A temperature sensing circuit includes a temperature-dependent voltage generating block configured to generate a plurality temperature-dependent voltages having voltage levels that are changed according to temperature; and a comparing block configured to compare each voltage level of the temperature-dependent voltages with a voltage level of a predetermined voltage to output thermal codes.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Jong-Man Im
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Patent number: 7888987Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit according to an embodiment includes a bias circuit configured to output a bias current, the bias current having a current value increasing in proportion to absolute temperature, in a low temperature region in which a temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, and having another current value increasing at a faster rate than the current value increasing in proportion to absolute temperature, in a high temperature region in which the temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature, and a transistor having a collector connected to a power supply terminal, an emitter which is grounded, and a base supplied with the bias current.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Koji Horie
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Patent number: 7852061Abstract: An apparatus comprises a band gap voltage generator circuit for generating a band gap voltage. A temperature invariant current generator is located within the band gap voltage generator circuit for generating a temperature invariant current. A temperature invariant current correction circuit is located within the band gap voltage generator circuit and adjusts the output voltage responsive to the temperature invariant current without altering temperature characteristics of the temperature invariant current.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Jia-Hau Liu, Alan L. Westwick, Douglas S. Piasecki
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Patent number: 7834598Abstract: In a preferred embodiment for use in step-down (buck) DC-DC converters that may operate, at least part of the time, at high duty cycles (>50%), the power dissipation in the high side switch is effectively monitored and the switching frequency of the converter is lowered as needed to keep the sum of the conduction losses and switching losses in the high side switch substantially constant. In another embodiment, the ideal switching frequency is approximated. In still another embodiment having the switches integrated with the controller, the die temperature is monitored, and switching frequency, output current or both are varied to limit the die temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Jason Allen Wortham, Turev Dara Acar
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Patent number: 7821331Abstract: An apparatus and a method to reduce temperature dependence of a reference voltage have been presented. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a reference voltage associated with a difference between a first threshold voltage of a first transistor and a second threshold voltage of a second transistor. The method may further include biasing the first transistor and the second transistor at a predetermined ratio of currents of the first and the second transistors to reduce temperature dependence of the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Radha Krishna
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Patent number: 7813150Abstract: Techniques to compensate for parameter variations in a feedback circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, a regulator circuit includes an energy source coupled to output a generated current in response to a control current. A feedback resistor is coupled to an output of the regulator circuit. The feedback resistor is coupled to conduct a feedback current responsive to the output of the regulator circuit. A current amplifier is coupled to the feedback resistor to generate the control current in response to the feedback current. A compensation network is coupled to the current amplifier to adjust the control current in response to an extrinsic parameter of the regulator circuit. The compensation network includes a transistor and first, second and third resistors. The first resistor is coupled between the feedback resistor and a collector of the transistor. The second resistor coupled between the collector and the base of the transistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Jason E. Cuadra, Arthur B. Odell, William M. Polivka
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Patent number: 7768339Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator for limiting a rush current from an output stage transistor. The voltage regulator includes an output current limiting circuit having a low detection current value and an output current limiting circuit having a high detection current value, and is structured so as to enable operation of the output current limiting circuit having a low detection current value during a time period from a state in which an overheat protection circuit detects overheat and an output current is stopped to a state in which an overheat protection is canceled and a predetermined time passes. Accordingly, after the overheat protection is cancelled, an excessive rush current can be limited.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventor: Teruo Suzuki
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Patent number: 7737669Abstract: A hierarchical control for an integrated voltage regulator may include a voltage regulator circuit with a plurality of parallel voltage cells, with each of the cells having a plurality of phases of interleaved voltage converters, and a feedback control associated with the cells to set identical current references for the phases. A multi-rail embodiment has a plurality of parallel voltage regulator circuits each with a plurality of parallel voltage cells, with each of the cells having a plurality of phases of interleaved voltage converters, and a feedback control associated with the circuits to sense parameters of the circuits and set identical parameter references for the phases.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Rinkle Jain
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Patent number: 7710096Abstract: A reference circuit comprises a first current generator comprising a first transistor operably coupled to a second transistor and having respective base current corresponding to a positive temperature dependence of the reference circuit. A resistance is operably coupled to the first current generator and arranged to provide a second current corresponding to a negative temperature dependence of the reference circuit. A second current generator is operably coupled to the resistance and the first current generator that generates a combined current as a sum of the second current and base current. In this manner, the output voltage of the curvature compensated voltage and/or current reference circuit is substantially linear and substantially independent of the operating temperature of the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Ivan Kotchkine, Alexandre Makarov
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Patent number: 7692476Abstract: Provided is a temperature compensating circuit, which conducts a temperature correction having a continuous characteristic, and is small in the circuit scale. An output voltage VOUT at a connection point 14 is determined on the basis of a current Ia2, a current Ib2, and a current Ic2, and an output voltage of a temperature sensor circuit is corrected by the output voltage VOUT with a temperature. As a result, the temperature correction having the continuous characteristic is conducted on the basis of a current change of the current Ia2, the current Ib2, and the current Ic2. Because the plural temperature compensating circuits are not provided, and only one temperature compensating circuit is provided, the circuit scale becomes smaller.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventor: Ryoichi Anzai
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Patent number: 7692418Abstract: A BGR circuit includes a temperature-proportional current generating part configured to generate a current in proportion to a change in temperature through a plurality of current paths; a temperature-inverse proportional current generating part generates a current in inverse proportion to a change in temperature through a plurality of current paths. An internal voltage reference voltage generating part generates a reference voltage for an internal voltage using the current of the temperature-proportional current generating part and the current of the temperature-inverse proportional current generating part. A temperature voltage output part outputs a voltage corresponding to a change in temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: Chun-Seok Jeong
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Patent number: 7688054Abstract: A temperature corrected voltage bandgap circuit is provided. The circuit includes first and second diode connected transistors. A first switched current source is coupled to the one transistor to inject or remove a first current into or from the emitter of that transistor. The first current is selected to correct for curvature in the output voltage of the bandgap circuit at one of hotter or colder temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Inventor: David Cave
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Patent number: 7683955Abstract: A photocurrent sensing circuit includes a logarithmic compression circuit; a cancellation circuit logarithmically compressing a current substantially equal in temperature coefficient of the photocurrent to convert the same into a voltage, and performing an addition or a subtraction on the converted voltage and a voltage converted from a photocurrent by logarithmically compression; a logarithmic operation circuit logarithmically compressing the voltage received from the cancellation circuit to produce a first voltage, logarithmically compressing a voltage proportional to a thermal voltage of the photocurrent to produce a second voltage, logarithmically compressing a current having thermal dependence of nearly zero to produce a third voltage and performing an addition or a subtraction of each of the second and third voltages with respect to the first voltage to produce a fourth voltage; and an inverse logarithmic transformation circuit performing inverse logarithmic transformation on the fourth voltage to outpuType: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takayuki Shimizu
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Patent number: 7659706Abstract: A current detector circuit for detecting a load current flowing through a load includes a first series circuit having a first element and the load connected in series, a second series circuit having a second element and a resistor connected in series, the second element having a temperature characteristic equal to the temperature characteristic of the resistance of the first element, a power supply configured to supply voltage to the first series circuit and the second series circuit, and a control circuit configured to control the voltage drop across the second element so that the voltage drop across the second element is equal to the voltage drop across the first element. A current detection signal corresponding to the load current is generated based on a current flowing through the second element.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Junji Nishida
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Patent number: 7642759Abstract: Circuits and methods for paralleling voltage regulators are provided. Improved current sharing and regulation characteristics are obtained by coupling control terminals of the voltage regulators together which results in precise output voltages and proportional current production. Distributing current generation among multiple paralleled voltage regulators improves heat dissipation and thereby reduces the likelihood that the current produced by the voltage regulators will be temperature limited.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Linear Technology CorporationInventor: Robert C. Dobkin
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Patent number: 7629785Abstract: A system includes a transistor coupled to a voltage rail, a first resistor coupled in series with the transistor, and a second resistor coupled in series with the first resistor. The system also includes a bandgap reference circuit operable to generate a bandgap reference voltage of less than 1.2 volts (such as one volt) between the first and second resistors. The bandgap reference circuit includes a diode configured to generate a complementary-to-absolute-temperature (CTAT) voltage and a third resistor configured to generate a first proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) voltage using a first current. The bandgap reference circuit also includes a current source configured to sink a CTAT current from the first current to generate a second current and a fourth resistor configured to generate a second PTAT voltage using the second current. A sum of the CTAT voltage, the first PTAT voltage, and the second PTAT voltage is less than 1.2 volts.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Stephan Drebinger
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Patent number: 7609045Abstract: The present invention concerns a reference voltage generator (40) that provides a reference voltage (Vref new). The voltage generator (30) is operated at a supply voltage (Vdd) being lower than the Silicon bandgap voltage. It comprises a MOSFET transistor (MN; MN3; MP4; MP7) serving as transconductor (Gptat). An input node for feeding a drain current (Iptat) into the drain of said MOSFET transistor (MN; MN3; MP4; MP7) is provided and an output node is connected to the drain and gate of said MOSFET transistor (MN; MN3; MP4; MP7). A current generator (42) allows the MOSFET transistor (MN; MN3; MP4; MP7) to be operated in a specific mode where the drain current (Iptat) has a positive temperature coefficient (?ptat) and the transconductor (Gptat) has a negative temperature coefficient (?ptat).Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Zhenhua Wang
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Patent number: 7535735Abstract: Techniques to compensate for parameter variations in a feedback circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, a regulator circuit includes an energy source coupled to output a generated current in response to a control current. A feedback resistor is coupled to an output of the regulator circuit. The feedback resistor is coupled to conduct a feedback current responsive to the output of the regulator circuit. A current amplifier is coupled to the feedback resistor to generate the control current in response to the feedback current. A compensation network is coupled to the current amplifier to adjust the control current in response to an extrinsic parameter of the regulator circuit. The compensation network includes a transistor and first, second and third resistors. The first resistor is coupled between the feedback resistor and a collector of the transistor. The second resistor coupled between the collector and the base of the transistor.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Jason E. Cuadra, Arthur B. Odell, William Michael Polivka
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On chip temperature detector, temperature detection method and refresh control method using the same
Patent number: 7532056Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current generator configured to generate a first current proportional to temperature, a first complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) current generator configured to generate a second current inversely proportional to temperature, a second CTAT current generator configured to generate a third current inversely proportional to temperature, and a temperature sensing unit configured to convert the first current, the second current, and the third current into a signal related to the temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young-Hun Seo -
Patent number: 7531998Abstract: A temperature sensing circuit includes first, second and third proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) units, and first and second subtracters. The first PTAT unit generates a first output voltage based on a reference current and a current of N times the reference current, where N is an emitter current density ratio. The second PTAT unit generates a second output voltage based on a current of twice the reference current and a current of 2N times the reference current. The third PTAT unit generates a third output voltage based on the reference current and a current of N times the reference current. The first subtracter performs subtraction on the second output voltage and the third output voltage, and the second subtracter performs subtraction on an output voltage of the first subtracter and the first output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hyung-seuk Kim
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Patent number: 7504813Abstract: A power detector having temperature compensation for improved measurement performance includes a pair of rectifier transistors coupled to a differential input signal biased by a first temperature dependent current. An output of the pair of rectifier transistors provides a first component of a differential DC output signal. The first component of the differential DC output signal includes a DC voltage proportional to an amplitude of the differential input signal plus an offset voltage. The power detector further includes a reference transistor biased by a reference current. The reference current includes a second temperature dependent current and a temperature independent offset current for temperature compensation. An output of the reference transistor provides a second component of the differential DC output signal that includes a reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventor: Danilo Manstretta
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Patent number: 7495426Abstract: A temperature setpoint circuit comprises bipolar transistors Q1 and Q2 which receive currents I1 and I2 at their respective collectors and are operated at unequal current densities, with a resistance R1 connected between their bases such that the difference in their base-emitter voltages (?Vbe) appears across R1. An additional PTAT current I3 is maintained in a constant ratio to I1 and I2 and provided to the collector of Q2 while Q2 is off, and is not provided while Q2 is on. The circuit is arranged such that Q2 is turned on and conducts a current equal to Ia when: ?Vbe=(kT/q)ln(NI1/Ia), where Ia=I2+I3, the temperature T at which ?Vbe=(kT/q)ln(NI1/Ia) being the circuit's setpoint temperature, such that the switching of current I3 provides hysteresis for the setpoint temperature which is approximately constant over temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Chau C. Tran, A. Paul Brokaw
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Patent number: 7486065Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device and method for generating a reference voltage. A reference voltage generator comprises a first circuit, a second circuit, and an external device. The first circuit generates a positive temperature coefficient voltage. the second circuit is coupled to the first circuit, biased with a substantially constant current, produces a negative temperature coefficient voltage, and combines the negative temperature coefficient voltage with the positive temperature coefficient voltage as a reference voltage. The external device is coupled to the second circuit, and yields the substantially constant current.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jyh-Fong Lin, Pei-Hsiu Huang
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Patent number: RE40673Abstract: Each of stages RS(1), RS(2), . . . of a shift register is constituted by six TFTs. A ratio of a channel width and a channel length (W/L) of each of these TFTs 1 to 6 is set in accordance with a transistor characteristic of each TFT in such a manner that the shift register normally operates for a long time even at a high temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Kanbara, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Katsuhiko Morosawa
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Patent number: RE40915Abstract: A current-sensing and correction circuit having programmable temperature compensation circuitry that is incorporated into a pulse width modulation controller of a buck mode DC—DC converter. The front end of the controller contains a sense amplifier, having an input coupled via a current feedback resistor to a common output node of the converter. The impedance of a MOSFET, the current through which is sampled by a sample and hold circuit is controlled by the sense amplifier unit. A sensed current correction circuit is coupled between the sample and hold circuit and the controller, and is operative to supply to the controller a correction current having a deterministic temperature-compensating relationship to the sensed current. The ratio of correction current to sensed current equals to value of one at a predetermined temperature, and has other values at temperatures other than at that temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventor: Robert Haynes Isham
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Patent number: RE42037Abstract: A current-sensing and correction circuit having programmable temperature compensation circuitry that is incorporated into a pulse width modulation controller of a buck mode DC—DC converter. The front end of the controller contains a sense amplifier, having an input coupled via a current feedback resistor to a common output node of the converter. The impedance of a MOSFET, the current through which is sampled by a sample and hold circuit is controlled by the sense amplifier unit. A sensed current correction circuit is coupled between the sample and hold circuit and the controller, and is operative to supply to the controller a correction current having a deterministic temperature-compensating relationship to the sensed current. The ratio of correction current to sensed current equals a value of one at a predetermined temperature, and has other values at temperatures other than at that temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventor: Robert Haynes Isham