JP2002098594A - Temperature sensor device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a temperature sensor device having a configuration capable of supplying temperature detection data as digital data and capable of reducing the size and space. A temperature sensor device according to the present invention includes a temperature sensor disposed between a power supply potential node and a ground potential node, and converts analog temperature detection data output from the temperature sensor into digital temperature detection data. A for / D conversion
An A / D converter and a register for temporarily holding the digital temperature detection data output from the A / D converter and outputting to the temperature detection data output node at a predetermined timing are provided on one semiconductor chip. It is equipped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature sensor device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A temperature sensor device for outputting an electric signal having a value corresponding to an external temperature is used for various purposes. For example, since the oscillation frequency of a crystal oscillator used in a mobile phone or the like greatly changes depending on the external temperature, it is necessary to detect the external temperature and perform frequency correction according to the temperature. Therefore, a temperature sensor device is used to detect the external temperature.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional temperature sensor device. The conventional temperature sensor device includes a temperature sensor 1 disposed between a power supply potential node VDD and a ground potential node GND, and a voltage follower that amplifies an output signal of the temperature sensor 1 and outputs the amplified signal to a temperature detection data output node OUT. And an operational amplifier 6.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram more specifically showing the configuration of a conventional temperature sensor device. The conventional temperature sensor device includes a first resistor R1, a diode D, and a second resistor R2 which are connected in series between a power supply potential node VDD and a ground potential node GND. A temperature sensor 1 in which a potential VT generated at a connection node T with D changes according to an external temperature;
, A positive-phase input node is connected, an output node is connected to the temperature detection data output node OUT, and a negative feedback circuit is provided.
An operational amplifier 6 as a voltage follower for amplifying the potential VT and outputting the amplified voltage to the temperature detection data output node OUT, and a package 10 for sealing the temperature sensor 1 and the operational amplifier 6 are provided.

The temperature sensor 1 composed of the first resistor R1, the diode D and the second resistor R2 has a forward voltage VF of the diode D of -2 mV / in response to a change in external temperature.
C. to 3 mV / .degree. C., and as a result, the potential VT generated at the connection node T also changes according to the change in the external temperature. Thereby, the temperature sensor 1 can fulfill its function. Note that the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2
Are appropriately set, but may be only the wiring resistance.

Further, as is apparent from the configuration of this conventional temperature sensor device, the potential VT of the connection node T is amplified by the operational amplifier 6 which is a voltage follower and is output to the temperature detection data output node OUT as temperature detection data. And an analog temperature sensor device in which output data is output as analog data.

In the above-mentioned conventional temperature sensor device, since the temperature detection data is supplied to the outside as analog data which is an analog voltage, when the temperature detection data is processed as digital data, it is separately provided outside the temperature sensor device. It is necessary to provide an A / D (analog / digital) converter and convert the temperature detection data into digital data.

[0008]

However, in the use of temperature sensor devices such as mobile phones, the demand for miniaturization and space saving of the entire system including the A / D converter is increasing year by year. Has become.

Therefore, the above-mentioned conventional analog temperature sensor device, which requires a separate A / D converter, is disadvantageous in reducing the size and space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a structure capable of supplying temperature detection data as digital data and capable of achieving miniaturization and space saving. It is to provide a temperature sensor device.

[0011]

According to the temperature sensor device of the present invention, a temperature sensor disposed between a power supply potential node and a ground potential node, and analog temperature detection data output from the temperature sensor. A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion of the digital temperature detection data into digital temperature detection data, and the digital temperature detection data output from the A / D converter are temporarily held, and the temperature is held at a predetermined timing. Set the register to be output to the detection data output node to 1
It is characterized in that the temperature detection data is provided on individual semiconductor chips. With this configuration, the temperature detection data can be supplied as digital data, and the size and space can be reduced.

The temperature sensor comprises a first resistor, a diode, and a second resistor connected in series between a power supply potential node and a ground potential node, and connects the first resistor to the diode. It is preferable that the potential generated at the node is the analog temperature detection data that changes according to the external temperature.

It is preferable that a clock generating circuit for generating a clock signal used for driving one or both of the A / D converter and the register is provided on the semiconductor chip or outside the semiconductor chip.

The clock generation circuit may be a ring oscillator provided on the semiconductor chip and generating a clock signal used for driving both the A / D converter and the register. Can be further reduced in size and space.

Preferably, the register outputs the digital temperature detection data as serial data to the temperature detection data output node.

If the clock generation circuit controls the operation of generating the clock signal by a control signal input from the outside, the clock generation circuit can control the timing of data output. Operation control can be performed, which is convenient for use.

If the register outputs the digital temperature detection data as parallel data to a plurality of temperature detection data output nodes, the register is suitable for applications requiring parallel data.

If the temperature sensor device according to the present invention is sealed in one package, it is possible to reduce the size and space.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the temperature sensor device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the temperature sensor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The temperature sensor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a temperature sensor 1 disposed between a power supply potential node VDD and a ground potential node GND, and analog temperature detection data output from the temperature sensor 1. A / D converter 2 for performing A / D conversion to digital temperature detection data, and digital temperature detection data output from A / D converter 2 are temporarily stored and output to temperature detection data output node OUT at a predetermined timing. And an A / D converter 2.
And a clock generation circuit 4 for generating a clock signal CLK used for driving one or both of the registers 3.

The temperature sensor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention has the above-mentioned temperature sensor 1, A / D converter 2 and register 3 mounted on a single semiconductor chip.
The clock generation circuit 4 may be built in the temperature sensor device, or may be provided outside the temperature sensor device. When the clock generation circuit 4 is built in the temperature sensor device, it is preferable to share the clock generation circuit 4 for driving the A / D converter 2 and the register 3. When the clock generation circuit 4 is provided outside the temperature sensor device, one clock generation circuit 4 may be shared for driving the A / D converter 2 and the register 3, or two clock generation circuits may be used. 4 may be provided separately.

The temperature sensor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a digital temperature sensor device in which a temperature sensor 1, an A / D converter 2 and a register 3 are mounted on one semiconductor chip. , Which are sealed in one package.

The analog temperature detection data output from the temperature sensor 1 is subjected to A / D conversion by an A / D converter 2 to become digital temperature detection data. The digital temperature detection data is taken into a register 3 and at a predetermined timing. Output to temperature detection data output node OUT.

As described above, in the temperature sensor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the temperature detection data can be taken out from one package as a digital value in synchronization with the clock signal CLK. The size and space of the temperature sensor device can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a temperature sensor device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. To be more precise, FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the temperature sensor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
(B) is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a ring oscillator provided in a temperature sensor device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The temperature sensor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a power supply potential node VDD and a ground potential node GND.
And a first resistor R1, a diode D and a second resistor R2 connected in series between the first resistor R1 and the first resistor R1.
Temperature sensor 1 which is analog temperature detection data in which potential VT generated at connection node T between diode and diode D changes in accordance with an external temperature, an input node is connected to connection node T, and is output from connection node T The potential VT, which is analog temperature detection data, is added to digital temperature detection data by A.
A / D converter 2 for performing A / D conversion and digital temperature detection data output from A / D converter 2 are temporarily held,
A register 3 for outputting serial data to the temperature detection data output node OUT at a predetermined timing, a ring oscillator 5 for oscillating a clock signal CLK used for driving both the A / D converter 2 and the register 3, and the temperature sensor 1, an A / D converter 2, a register 3, and a package 10 for sealing the ring oscillator 5.

The temperature sensor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a more specific first configuration example of the temperature sensor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and includes a clock generation circuit. A ring oscillator 5 is mounted on the same semiconductor chip as the temperature sensor 1, the A / D converter 2 and the register 3, and is sealed in a package 10. Therefore, the clock signal CLK for driving the A / D converter 2 and the register 3 is generated by the ring oscillator 5.

The ring oscillator 5 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), an odd number of inverters INV1, IV1
The configuration is such that NV2 and INV3 are circularly connected.

The temperature sensor 1 composed of the first resistor R1, the diode D and the second resistor R2 has a forward voltage VF of the diode D of -2 mV /
C. to 3 mV / .degree. C., and as a result, the potential VT generated at the connection node T also changes according to the change in the external temperature. Thereby, the temperature sensor 1 can fulfill its function. Note that the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2
Are appropriately set, but may be only the wiring resistance.

An analog potential signal V is applied from a connection node T between the first resistor R1 and the diode D constituting the temperature sensor 1.
The analog temperature detection data output as T is A / D
The digital temperature detection data is A / D-converted by the converter 2 and becomes digital temperature detection data. The digital temperature detection data is taken into the register 3 and output to the temperature detection data output node OUT as serial data at a predetermined timing.

As described above, in the temperature sensor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the temperature detection data is synchronized with the clock signal CLK generated by the built-in ring oscillator 5 to convert the temperature detection data into a digital value based on serial data. Since the temperature sensor device can be taken out of one package, the size and space of the temperature sensor device can be further reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a temperature sensor device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The temperature sensor device according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises a power supply potential node VDD and a ground potential node GND.
And a first resistor R1, a diode D and a second resistor R2 connected in series between the first resistor R1 and the first resistor R1.
Temperature sensor 1 which is analog temperature detection data in which potential VT generated at connection node T between diode and diode D changes in accordance with an external temperature, an input node is connected to connection node T, and is output from connection node T The potential VT, which is analog temperature detection data, is added to digital temperature detection data by A.
A / D converter 2 for performing A / D conversion and digital temperature detection data output from A / D converter 2 are temporarily held,
A register 3 for outputting parallel data at a predetermined timing to a temperature detection data output node OUT; a ring oscillator 5 for oscillating a clock signal CLK used for driving both the A / D converter 2 and the register 3; 1, an A / D converter 2, a register 3, and a package 10 for sealing the ring oscillator 5.

The temperature sensor device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is a more specific second configuration example of the temperature sensor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and includes a clock generation circuit. A ring oscillator 5 is mounted on the same semiconductor chip as the temperature sensor 1, the A / D converter 2 and the register 3, and is sealed in a package 10. Therefore, the clock signal CLK for driving the A / D converter 2 and the register 3 is generated by the ring oscillator 5.

The register 3 in the temperature sensor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a serial data register, whereas the register 3 in the temperature sensor device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Are different from each other in that they are parallel data registers.

The ring oscillator 5 is shown in FIG.
The configuration may be the same as that shown in FIG.

An analog potential signal V is supplied from a connection node T between the first resistor R1 and the diode D constituting the temperature sensor 1.
The analog temperature detection data output as T is A / D
A / D conversion is performed by the converter 2 to obtain digital temperature detection data. The digital temperature detection data is taken into the register 3 and output to the temperature detection data output node OUT as parallel data at a predetermined timing.

As described above, in the temperature sensor device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, A / A is controlled by the clock signal CLK generated by the built-in ring oscillator 5.
The operations of the D converter 2 and the register 3 are controlled asynchronously,
Since the temperature detection data can be extracted from one package as a digital value based on parallel data,
Suitable for applications that require parallel data,
Compared with the first embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the size and space of the temperature sensor device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a temperature sensor device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The temperature sensor device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a power supply potential node VDD and a ground potential node GND.
And a first resistor R1, a diode D and a second resistor R2 connected in series between the first resistor R1 and the first resistor R1.
Temperature sensor 1 which is analog temperature detection data in which potential VT generated at connection node T between diode and diode D changes in accordance with an external temperature, an input node is connected to connection node T, and is output from connection node T The potential VT, which is analog temperature detection data, is added to digital temperature detection data by A.
A / D converter 2 for performing A / D conversion and digital temperature detection data output from A / D converter 2 are temporarily held,
A register 3 that outputs serial data to the temperature detection data output node OUT at a predetermined timing, and a clock signal CL whose operation is controlled by a reset signal reset and used for driving both the A / D converter 2 and the register 3
A ring oscillator 5 for oscillating K and a package 10 for sealing the temperature sensor 1, the A / D converter 2, the register 3 and the ring oscillator 5 are provided.

The temperature sensor device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is a more specific third configuration example of the temperature sensor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is also a modification of the temperature sensor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and the ring oscillator 5 as the clock generation circuit 4 includes a temperature sensor 1, an A / D converter 2, and a register 3.
Are mounted on the same semiconductor chip and sealed in the package 10. Therefore, the clock signal CLK for driving the A / D converter 2 and the register 3 is generated by the ring oscillator 5.

The ring oscillator 5 is shown in FIG.
The configuration may be the same as that shown in FIG.

An analog potential signal V is applied from a connection node T between the first resistor R1 and the diode D constituting the temperature sensor 1.
The analog temperature detection data output as T is A / D
The digital temperature detection data is A / D-converted by the converter 2 and becomes digital temperature detection data. The digital temperature detection data is taken into the register 3 and output to the temperature detection data output node OUT as serial data at a predetermined timing.

However, the temperature sensor device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the operation of the ring oscillator 5 is controlled by a reset signal reset which is a control signal input from the outside. Is different from the temperature sensor device according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, this point will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main signal waveforms in the temperature sensor device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

After the power supply voltage VDD rises to a predetermined voltage, the temperature sensor device becomes operable. However, in the temperature sensor device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention,
The operation of the ring oscillator 5, that is, the generation of the clock signal CLK, is controlled by an externally input reset signal reset, and the reset signal reset is at the first logical level (H (High) level in this example). During this time, the ring oscillator 5 does not operate, and the generation of the clock signal CLK is suppressed.

Thereafter, when the reset signal reset goes to the second logic level (L (Low) level in this example), the suppression by the reset signal reset is released, the ring oscillator 5 starts operating, and the clock signal CLK is generated. Is output. A / D is generated by this clock signal CLK.
The converter 2 and the register 3 operate, and the temperature detection data converted into digital data by the A / D converter 2 is taken into the register 3 and output to the temperature detection data output node OUT as serial data at a predetermined timing. You.

As described above, in the temperature sensor device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the timing of data output can be controlled by the reset signal reset input from the outside. Appropriate operation control can be performed, which is more convenient in use than the temperature sensor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Further, similarly to the temperature sensor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in synchronization with a clock signal CLK generated by a built-in ring oscillator 5, the temperature detection data is converted into one digital value by serial data. Since the temperature sensor device can be taken out of the package, the size and space of the temperature sensor device can be further reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

[0049]

According to the temperature sensor device of the present invention,
A temperature sensor disposed between a power supply potential node and a ground potential node, and an A / D converter for A / D (analog / digital) conversion of analog temperature detection data output from the temperature sensor to digital temperature detection data Container and the above A
And a register for temporarily holding the digital temperature detection data output from the / D converter and outputting the digital temperature detection data to the temperature detection data output node at a predetermined timing on a single semiconductor chip. Can be supplied as digital data, and downsizing and space saving can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a temperature sensor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a temperature sensor device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a temperature sensor device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a temperature sensor device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main signal waveforms in a temperature sensor device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional temperature sensor device.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram more specifically showing the configuration of a conventional temperature sensor device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Temperature sensor 2 A / D converter 3 Register 4 Clock generation circuit 5 Ring oscillator 6 Operational amplifier 10 Package D Diode R1, R2 Resistance INV1, INV2, INV3 Inverter

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A temperature sensor disposed between a power supply potential node and a ground potential node, and A / D (analog / digital) conversion of analog temperature detection data output from the temperature sensor into digital temperature detection data. An A / D converter, and a register that temporarily holds the digital temperature detection data output from the A / D converter and outputs the digital temperature detection data to a temperature detection data output node at a predetermined timing. A temperature sensor device provided on a chip. 2. The temperature sensor comprises a first resistor, a diode, and a second resistor connected in series between a power supply potential node and a ground potential node in order. 2. The temperature sensor device according to claim 1, wherein a potential generated at a connection node of the temperature sensor becomes the analog temperature detection data that changes according to an external temperature. 3. A clock generation circuit for generating a clock signal used for driving one or both of the A / D converter and the register is provided on the semiconductor chip or outside the semiconductor chip. The temperature sensor device according to claim 1. 4. The clock generator according to claim 1, wherein the clock generator is a ring oscillator provided on the semiconductor chip for generating a clock signal used for driving both the A / D converter and the register. The temperature sensor device according to claim 4. 5. The register according to claim 1, wherein the register outputs the digital temperature detection data as serial data to the temperature detection data output node.
The temperature sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The temperature sensor device according to claim 5, wherein the operation of generating the clock signal is controlled by a control signal input from the outside of the clock generation circuit. 7. The temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein the register outputs the digital temperature detection data as parallel data to a plurality of the temperature detection data output nodes. apparatus. 8. The temperature sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor device is sealed in one package.