Temperature compensation circuit

• US 7,161,440 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2003
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Meltzer, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Shingleton; Michael B
• Application Number:
  US10/733,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20050128018A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 331/76, 331/176, 331/74, 331/DIG.3, 331/175
• US Class Current: 331/76
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 1/022 by indirect stabilisation, i.e. by generating an electrical correction signal which is a function of the temperature H03L1/021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 331/03 Logic gate active element oscillator

Abstract

A temperature compensation circuit has multiple configurable modules to produce a compensation signal whose temperature characteristic curve is the inverse of the frequency-to-temperature characteristic curve of a specified oscillator. A set of first modules that produce first sub-signals directly proportional to temperature and a set of second modules that produce second sub-signals inversely proportional to temperature have their outputs summed at a summation node. Each module may adjust the strength and shaped of its temperature characteristic sub-signal, and each module may optionally be assigned a temperature offset that impedes the output of its corresponding sub-signal until the assigned temperature offset is reached. Each of the first and second modules includes a signal generator and an optional temperature offset circuit, which may be incorporated into the operation of the signal generator. To produce a compensation signal to compensate a SAW resonator, a first module having a temperature offset and being directly proportional to temperature is summed with a second module having no temperature offset and being inversely proportional to temperature.

Claims

1. A temperature compensation circuit, comprising:

a plurality of first modules each effective for producing a respective first signal directly proportional to temperature

a plurality of second modules each effective for producing a respective second signal inversely proportional to temperature;

a first summing node for summing all of said first and second signals and producing a resultant summed signal.

2. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 1, wherein:

the strength of each first signal of said plurality of first modules is individually selectable; and

the strength of each second signal of said plurality of second modules is individually selectable.

3. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 1, wherein said plurality of first modules have differing temperature characteristic curve shapes.

4. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 1, wherein said plurality of second modules have differing temperature characteristic curve shapes.

5. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of first modules has an optionally assigned first temperature offset, wherein each of said plurality of first modules is precluded from outputting its respective first signal for temperatures below its respectively assigned first temperature offset.

6. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 5, wherein said plurality of first modules have differing first temperature offset values.

7. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of second modules has an optionally assigned second temperature offset, wherein each of said plurality of second modules is precluded from outputting its respective second signal for temperatures below its respectively assigned second temperature offset.

8. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 7, wherein said plurality of second modules have differing second temperature offset values.

9. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 1, wherein:

each of said plurality of first modules has an optionally assigned first temperature offset, wherein each of said plurality of first modules is precluded from outputting its respective first signal for temperatures below its respectively assigned first temperature offset; and

each of said plurality of second modules has an optionally assigned second temperature offset, wherein each of said plurality of second modules is precluded from outputting its respective second signal for temperatures below its respectively assigned second temperature offset.

10. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 9, wherein:

said plurality of first modules have differing first temperature offset values; and

said plurality of second modules have differing second temperature offset values.

11. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of first modules and each of said plurality of second modules includes a first CTAT signal source.

12. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 11, wherein at least one of said plurality of first modules further includes:

a CTAT signal source;

a PTAT signal source;

a second summing node for creating a difference signal based on the difference in signal magnitude of said CTAT signal source and said PTAT signal source;

and a first dependent signal generator for producing an intermediate signal dependent on said difference signal.

13. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 12, wherein said dependent signal generator produces said intermediate signal only if said difference signal is above a predetermined threshold value.

14. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 12, wherein said difference signal is a measure of a temperature offset, wherein said at least one of said plurality of first modules produces substantially no signal for temperatures below said temperature offset.

15. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 12, wherein:

for temperatures lower than a predefined transition temperature the magnitude of said CTAT signal source is greater than said PTAT signal source; and

for temperatures higher than said predefined transition temperature the magnitude of said PTAT signal source is greater than said CTAT signal source.

16. A temperature compensated oscillator comprising:

the temperature compensation circuit of claim 1;

a variable frequency oscillator responsive to the output of said first summing node.

17. The temperature compensated oscillator of claim 16, wherein said variable frequency oscillator is a surface acoustic wave resonator.

18. An electronic device including the temperature compensation circuit of claim 1.

19. A temperature compensation circuit, comprising:

a first temperature dependent signal generator having a first activation temperature, said first temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a first signal proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than said first activation temperature and for producing substantially no signal when temperature is below said first activation temperature;

a second temperature dependent signal generator, said second temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a second signal inversely proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than a second activation temperature;

a first summing node for summing said first signal and said second signal and outputting the result on a first summation output node;

wherein said first temperature dependent signal generator includes;

a first signal source for producing a first sub-signal inversely proportional to temperature;

a second signal source for producing a second sub-signal directly proportional to temperature; and

a second summing node for subtracting the magnitude of said first sub-signal from the magnitude of said second sub-signal;

wherein for temperatures lower than a predefined transition temperature the magnitude of said first sub-signal is not less than the magnitude of said second sub-signal, and for temperatures not lower than said predefined transition temperature the magnitude of said first sub-signal is less than the magnitude of said second sub-signal.

20. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 19, wherein said first signal source includes a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) circuit and said second signal source includes a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) circuit.

21. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 19, wherein said predefined transition temperature is proximate to said first activation temperature.

22. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 19, wherein said predefined transition temperature is lower than said first activation temperature.

23. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 19, wherein said predefined transition temperature is said first activation temperature.

24. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 19, wherein said first signal of said first temperature dependent signal generator is output from said second summing output node.

25. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 19 wherein said first and second sub-signals are voltage signals, and wherein said second summation node is a difference amplifier having an inverting input coupled to receive said first sub-signal and having a non-inverting input coupled to receive said second sub-signal.

26. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 19 wherein said first and second sub-signals are current signals, and wherein said second summation node is a circuit junction node, wherein:

a first lead couples said first signal source to said circuit junction node, a second lead couples said second signal source to said circuit junction node, and a third lead coupled to said circuit junction node outputs the resultant difference of said first and second sub-signals.

27. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 26 wherein said first signal source is a current source having its output coupled to said junction node by said first lead, and said second signal source is a current sink having its input coupled to said junction node by said second lead.

28. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 19, wherein said first temperature dependent signal generator further includes:

a first dependent signal generator for generating a weighted signal dependent on the output from said second summation output node.

29. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 28, wherein said weighted signal is said first signal of said first temperature dependent signal generator.

30. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 28, wherein said first dependent signal generator is effective for producing substantially no output signal when the output of said second summation output node is less than a predefined threshold value, and for producing said weighted signal when the output of said second summation output node is not less than said predefined threshold value.

31. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 28, wherein said first dependent signal generator is effective for producing substantially no output signal when the difference of the output magnitude of said first and second signal sources is a negative, and producing said weighted signal when the output of said second summation output node is positive.

32. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 28, wherein said first dependent signal generator is a transistor having a control input responsive to said second summation output node.

33. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 28, wherein said first dependent signal generator is a current mirror having a control input responsive to said second summation output node.

34. A temperature compensation circuit, comprising:

a first temperature dependent signal generator having a first activation temperature, said first temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a first signal proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than said first activation temperature and for producing substantially no signal when temperature is below said first activation temperature;

a second temperature dependent signal generator, said second temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a second signal inversely proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than a second activation temperature;

a first summing node for summing said first signal and said second signal and outputting the result on a first summation output node;

wherein said first signal and said second signal are voltage signals, and wherein said first summation node is a summing amplifier having a first summing input coupled to receive said first signal and a second summing input coupled to receive said second signal.

35. A temperature compensation circuit comprising:

a first temperature dependent signal generator having a first activation temperature, said first temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a first signal proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than said first activation temperature and for producing substantially no signal when temperature is below said first activation temperature;

a second temperature dependent signal generator, said second temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a second signal inversely proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than a second activation temperature;

a first summing node for summing said first signal and said second signal and outputting the result on a first summation output node;

wherein said second temperature dependent signal generator further includes;

a third sub-signal source; and

a second dependent signal generator for generating a second weighted signal dependent on the output from said third sub-signal source.

36. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 35, wherein said sub-signal source includes a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) circuit.

37. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 35, wherein said second weighted signal is said second signal of said second temperature dependent signal generator.

38. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 35, wherein said second dependent signal generator is a transistor having a control input responsive to said third sub-signal source.

39. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 35, wherein said second dependent signal generator is a current mirror having a control input responsive to said third sub-signal source.

40. A temperature compensation circuit, comprising:

a first temperature dependent signal generator having a first activation temperature, said first temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a first signal proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than said first activation temperature and for producing substantially no signal when temperature is below said first activation temperature;

a second temperature dependent signal generator, said second temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a second signal inversely proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than a second activation temperature;

a first summing node for summing said first signal and said second signal and outputting the result on a first summation output node;

further comprising;

a transimpedance amplifier having an input coupled to said first summation node;

a voltage controlled oscillator responsive to said transimpedance amplifier.

41. A temperature compensation circuit, comprising:

a first temperature dependent current signal generator having a first activation temperature, said first temperature dependent current signal generator being effective for producing a first current signal proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than said first activation temperature and for producing substantially no signal when temperature is below said first activation temperature;

a second temperature dependent current signal generator, said second temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a second current signal inversely proportional to temperature;

a first summing node for summing said first current signal and said second current signal and outputting the result on a first summation output node;

wherein said first temperature dependent current signal generator includes;

a first current source inversely proportional to temperature; and

a first current sink directly proportional to temperature; and

a second summing node having a first lead coupled to said current source and a second lead coupled to said current sink;

wherein for temperatures lower than a predefined transition temperature the magnitude of the output current of said first current source is not less than the magnitude of the sinking current of said current sink, and for temperatures not lower than said predefined transition temperature the magnitude the output current of said current source is less than the magnitude of the sinking current of said current sink.

42. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 41, wherein said predefined transition temperature is proximate to said first activation temperature.

43. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 41, wherein said predefined transition temperature is lower than said first activation temperature.

44. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 41, wherein said predefined transition temperature is said first temperature.

45. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 41, wherein said first current signal of said first temperature dependent current signal generator is output from said second summation output node.

46. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 41, wherein said first temperature dependent current signal generator further includes:

a first dependent current source coupled to said second summing node through a third lead, wherein said dependent current source produces a weighted current dependent upon the current through said third lead.

47. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 46, wherein said weighted signal is said first signal of said first temperature dependent current signal generator.

48. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 46, wherein said first dependent current source is effective for producing substantially no output current signal when the current through said third lead is less than a predefined threshold value, and for producing said weighted current signal when the current through said third lead is not less then said predefined threshold value.

49. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 46, wherein said first dependent current source includes a transistor having a control input coupled to said output third lead.

50. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 49, wherein said transistor is a BJT transistor.

51. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 49, wherein said transistor is an MOS transistor.

52. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 46, wherein said first dependent current source is a current mirror having a control input responsive to said second summation output node.

53. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 52, wherein said current mirror includes a diode-connected transistor coupled to said third lead, and includes an output transistor responsive to the said diode-connected transistor.

54. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 41, wherein said first current source includes a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) circuit and said first current sink includes a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) circuit.

55. A temperature compensation circuit, comprising:

a first temperature dependent current signal generator having a first activation temperature, said first temperature dependent current signal generator being effective for producing a first current signal proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than said first activation temperature and for producing substantially no signal when temperature is below said first activation temperature;

a second temperature dependent current signal generator, said second temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a second current signal inversely proportional to temperature;

a first summing node for summing said first current signal and said second current signal and outputting the result on a first summation output node;

wherein said second temperature dependent signal generator further includes;

a sub-signal source; and

a second dependent current source for generating a second weighted signal dependent on the output from said sub-signal source.

56. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 55, wherein said sub-signal source includes a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) circuit.

57. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 55, wherein said sub-signal source is a second current source.

58. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 55, wherein said sub-signal source is a second current sink.

59. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 55, wherein said second dependent current source includes a transistor.

60. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 59, wherein said transistor is a BJT transistor.

61. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 59, wherein said transistor is an MOS transistor.

62. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 55, wherein said second dependent current source is a current mirror having a control input responsive to said sub-signal source.

63. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 62, wherein said current mirror includes a second diode-connected transistor responsive to said sub-signal source, and includes a second output transistor responsive to the said second diode-connected transistor.

64. The temperature compensation circuit of claim 55, wherein said second weighted signal is said second signal of said second temperature dependent signal generator.

65. A temperature compensated oscillator comprising:

a temperature compensation circuit; and

a variable frequency oscillator responsive to the output of said first summation node;

wherein

said temperature compensation circuit comprises;

a first temperature dependent current signal generator having a first activation temperature, said first temperature dependent current signal generator being effective for producing a first current signal proportional to temperature when temperature is not lower than said first activation temperature and for producing substantially no signal when temperature is below said first activation temperature;

a second temperature dependent current signal generator, said second temperature dependent signal generator being effective for producing a second current signal inversely proportional to temperature;

a first summing node for summing said first current signal and said second current signal and outputting the result on a first summation output node.

66. The temperature compensated oscillator of claim 65, wherein said variable frequency oscillator is a current controlled oscillator.

67. The temperature compensation oscillator of claim 65, wherein said variable frequency oscillator is a voltage controlled oscillator coupled to said first summation node through a current-to-voltage converter.