Temperature detector and the method using the same

• US 8,096,706 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2008
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Lee, Wen Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): VERBITSKY, GAIL KAPLAN
• Application Number:
  US12/186,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20090296779A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 374170-173, 374/178, 374/183, 374/185, 374/100, 374/114, 374/1, 702130-136, 702/99, 327512-513
• US Class Current: 374/170
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2219/00 Thermometers with dedicated analog to digital converters
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/01 using semiconducting elements having PN junctions G01K7/02, G01K7/16, G01K7/30 take precedence

Abstract

A temperature detector includes a plurality of comparators, an electronic component and a controller. Each of the comparators is responsible for detecting different temperature ranges. The electronic component has a temperature-dependent threshold voltage and an output connected to inputs of the plurality of comparators. The controller is configured to enable only one of the comparators at one time and to generate a value to the other inputs of the plurality of comparators.

Claims

1. A temperature detector, comprising:

a first multiplexer having a plurality of input terminals connected to voltage dividers;

an electronic component with a temperature-dependent threshold voltage;

a first comparator having input terminals connected to outputs of the electronic component and the first multiplexer;

a second comparator having input terminals connected to outputs of the electronic component and the first multiplexer;

a second multiplexer connected to the outputs of the first and second comparators; and

a controller connected to the output of the second multiplexer and configured to generate selecting and enabling signals of the first and second comparators;

wherein the first and second comparators are responsible for detecting different temperature ranges.

2. The temperature detector of claim 1, wherein the controller enables the first comparator or second comparator by an enabling signal.

3. The temperature detector of claim 1, wherein only one of the first and second comparators is enabled at one time.

4. The temperature detector of claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a diode.

5. The temperature detector of claim 4, wherein the diode is connected to a voltage supply through a current supply.