TWI627390B - Operating system and control circuit thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An operating system includes a current generator, a sensing circuit, and a processing circuit. The current generator is configured to provide a first current and a second current. The sensing circuit includes a first sensor. The first sensor has a first input and a first output. When the first input receives the first current, the processing circuit detects a first voltage difference between the first input and the first output. When the first input receives the second current, the processing circuit detects a second voltage difference between the first input and the first output. The processing circuit knows the temperature around the first sensor based on the first and second differential pressures.

Description

Operating system and its control circuit

The present invention relates to an operating system, and more particularly to an operating system having a complex sensor.

In general, the temperature inside the main unit is an important factor in the stable operation of the main engine. If the heat is abnormal due to too much dust inside the casing, or the cooling fan is faulty, it is easy to cause the temperature inside the casing to rise and cause the system to be unstable or even crash. In order to ensure the normal operation of the host, it is necessary to monitor the temperature inside the host. The conventional monitoring method is to set a plurality of temperature sensors inside the host, and receive the detection result of the temperature sensor through a control integrated circuit (IC). However, in order to couple multiple temperature sensors, the control IC requires an additional number of pins. This increases the size of the control IC and increases component cost.

The invention provides an operating system comprising a current generator, a sensing circuit and a processing circuit. The current generator is configured to provide a first current and a second current. The sensing circuit includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a third sensor, and a fourth sensor. The first sensor has a first input and a first output. The first input is for receiving the first or second current. The second sensor has a second input and a second output. The second input end is coupled to the first input end. The third sensor has a third input and a third output. The third input is for receiving the first or second current. The third output is coupled The first output. The fourth sensor has a fourth input and a fourth output. The fourth input end is coupled to the third input end. The fourth output end is coupled to the second output end. The processing circuit is coupled to the sensing circuit. When the first input receives the first current, the processing circuit detects a first voltage difference between the first input and the first output. When the first input receives the second current, the processing circuit detects a second voltage difference between the first input and the first output. The processing circuit knows the temperature around the first sensor based on the first and second differential pressures.

The invention further provides a control circuit integrated in a chip and including a current generator, a first pin, a second pin and a processing circuit. The current generator is configured to provide a first current and a second current. The first pin is configured to output the first or second current to a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a third sensor, and a fourth sensor. The first sensor has a first input and a first output. The first input is for receiving the first or second current. The second sensor has a second input and a second output. The second input end is coupled to the first input end. The third sensor has a third input and a third output. The third input is for receiving the first or second current. The third output is coupled to the first output. The fourth sensor has a fourth input and a fourth output. The fourth input end is coupled to the third input end. The fourth output end is coupled to the second output end. The second pin is coupled to the first output end. The processing circuit is coupled to the first and second pins. When the first pin outputs the first current to the first input end, the processing circuit detects a first voltage difference between the first input end and the first output end through the first and second pins. When the first pin transmits the second current to the first input end, the processing circuit detects a second voltage difference between the first input end and the first output end through the first and second pins. The processing circuit is based on the first and second differential pressures, Know the temperature around the first sensor.

100‧‧‧ operating system

110, 210‧‧‧Sensor circuit

120, 220‧‧‧ control circuit

111~114, 211~219‧‧‧ sensor

IN1~IN4‧‧‧ input

OT1~OT4‧‧‧ output

Q1~Q4‧‧‧Double carrier junction transistor

121, 221‧‧‧ Current generator

122, 222‧‧‧ processing circuit

PN1~PN4‧‧‧ pins

123, 223‧‧‧Switching circuit

SW1~SW6‧‧‧ switch

OP1, OP2‧‧‧ operating voltage

MT1, MT2‧‧‧ measuring end

200‧‧‧ wafer

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the operating system of the present invention.

Figure 2 is another schematic diagram of the operating system of the present invention.

In order to make the objects, features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the embodiments of the invention are described in detail below. The present specification provides various embodiments to illustrate the technical features of various embodiments of the present invention. The arrangement of the various elements in the embodiments is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the invention. In addition, the overlapping portions of the drawings in the embodiments are for the purpose of simplifying the description, and do not mean the relationship between the different embodiments.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the operating system of the present invention. As shown, the operating system 100 includes a sensing circuit 110 and a control circuit 120. In one possible embodiment, control circuit 120 is integrated into a chip. In this example, the sensing circuit 110 is disposed outside of the wafer, but is not intended to limit the invention. In other embodiments, control circuit 120 and sensing circuit 110 are integrated in the same wafer.

In the present embodiment, the sensing circuit 110 includes the sensors 111-114, but is not intended to limit the present invention. The invention does not limit the number of sensors. In other embodiments, the sensing circuit 110 may have more or fewer sensors. The sensor 111 has an input terminal IN1 and an output terminal OT1. In a possible embodiment, the sensor 111 is a double carrier junction transistor (BJT) Q1. The collector of the bipolar junction transistor Q1 is coupled to the base as the input terminal IN1. The emitter of the bipolar junction transistor Q1 serves as the output terminal OT1. The invention does not limit the sensor 111 kind of. In another embodiment, the sensor 111 is a diode (not shown). In this case, the anode of the diode serves as the input terminal IN1, and the cathode of the diode serves as the output terminal OT1. In other embodiments, the sensor 111 has a PN junction and has a unidirectional conduction characteristic.

The sensor 112 has an input terminal IN2 and an output terminal OT2. The input terminal IN2 is coupled to the input terminal IN1. In one possible embodiment, the sensor 112 is a dual carrier junction transistor Q2. The collector of the bipolar junction transistor Q2 is coupled to the base as the input terminal IN2. In this example, the emitter of the bipolar junction transistor Q2 serves as the output terminal OT2. The invention does not limit the type of sensor 112. In some embodiments, the sensor 112 is a diode (not shown). In this case, the anode of the diode acts as the input terminal IN2 and the cathode of the diode acts as the output terminal OT2. In other embodiments, the sensor 112 has a PN junction and has a unidirectional conduction characteristic.

The sensor 113 has an input terminal IN3 and an output terminal OT3. The output terminal OT3 is coupled to the output terminal OT1. In a possible embodiment, the sensor 113 is a dual carrier junction transistor Q3. The collector of the bipolar junction transistor Q3 is coupled to the base as the input terminal IN3. The emitter of the bipolar junction transistor Q3 serves as the output terminal OT3. The invention does not limit the type of sensor 113. In another embodiment, the sensor 113 is a diode (not shown). In this case, the anode of the diode acts as the input terminal IN3 and the cathode of the diode acts as the output terminal OT3. In other embodiments, the sensor 113 has a PN junction and has a unidirectional conduction characteristic.

The sensor 114 has an input terminal IN4 and an output terminal OT4. The input terminal IN4 is coupled to the input terminal IN3. The output terminal OT4 is coupled to the output terminal OT2. In one possible In an embodiment, the sensor 114 is a dual carrier junction transistor Q4. The collector of the bipolar junction transistor Q4 is coupled to the base as the input terminal IN4. The emitter of the bipolar junction transistor Q4 serves as the output terminal OT4. The invention does not limit the type of sensor 114. In other embodiments, the sensor 114 is a diode (not shown). In this case, the anode of the diode serves as the input terminal IN4, and the cathode of the diode serves as the output terminal OT4. In some embodiments, the sensor 114 has a PN junction and has a unidirectional conduction characteristic.

In this embodiment, the control circuit 120 includes a current generator 121, a processing circuit 122, and pins PN1 PN PN4. The current generator 121 generates a first current or a second current according to the operating voltage OP1. In a possible embodiment, the first current is different from the second current. In another possible embodiment, the current generator 121 further generates a third current. The third current is different from the first and second currents.

The pin PN1 is used to output the first or second current to the input terminals IN1 and IN2. The pin PN2 is used to output the first or second current to the input terminals IN3 and IN4. The pin PN3 is used to couple the output terminals OT2 and OT4. The pin PN4 is used to couple the output terminals OT1 and OT3. The invention does not limit the number of pins of the control circuit 120. In the present embodiment, the number of pins of the control circuit 120 is less than the number of sensors of the sensing circuit 110. Since the control circuit 120 can detect the sensing results of many sensors by using only a small number of pins, the size and cost of the control circuit 120 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, when the pin PN1 outputs different currents to the input terminals IN1 and IN2, the processing circuit 122 knows the temperature around the sensor 111 according to the voltage across the sensor 111. For example, when the pin PN1 outputs the first current to the input terminal IN1, the processing circuit 122 detects a first voltage difference between the input terminal IN1 and the output terminal OT1 through the pins PN1 and PN4 (eg, V _BE1 ). . When the first pin PN1 transmits the second current to the input terminal IN1, the processing circuit 122 detects a second voltage difference (such as V _BE2 ) between the input terminal IN1 and the output terminal OT1 through the pins PN1 and PN4. The processing circuit 122 knows the temperature around the sensor 111 based on the first and second differential pressures. In a possible embodiment, the processing circuit 122 calculates the difference around the sensor 111 based on the difference between the first differential pressure (eg, V _BE1 ) and the second differential pressure (eg, V _BE2 ) (eg, ΔV _BE ). temperature. In another possible embodiment, when the pin PN1 outputs the third current to the input terminal IN1, the processing circuit 122 detects a third voltage difference between the input terminal IN1 and the output terminal OT1 through the pins PN1 and PN4 ( Such as V _BE3 ). In this example, processing circuit 122 knows the temperature around sensor 111 based on the first, second, and third differential pressures.

Similarly, when the pin PN1 outputs the first current, the first current flows from the input terminal IN2 into the sensor 112 and flows out from the output terminal OT2. The processing circuit 122 detects a fourth voltage difference between the input terminal IN2 and the output terminal OT2 through the pins PN1 and PN3. When the input terminal IN2 receives the second current, the processing circuit 122 detects a fifth voltage difference between the input terminal IN2 and the output terminal OT2 through the pins PN1 and PN3. The processing circuit 122 knows the temperature around the sensor 112 based on the fourth and fifth differential pressures. In another possible embodiment, when the pin PN1 outputs the third current, the processing circuit 122 detects a sixth voltage difference between the input terminal IN2 and the output terminal OT2 through the pins PN1 and PN3. In this example, processing circuit 122 knows the temperature around sensor 112 based on the fourth, fifth, and sixth differential pressures.

In addition, when the pin PN2 outputs the first current to the input terminal IN3, the processing circuit 122 detects a seventh voltage difference between the input terminal IN3 and the output terminal OT3 through the pins PN2 and PN4. When the pin PN2 transmits the second current to the input terminal IN3, the processing circuit 122 detects the input terminal IN3 and the output terminal OT3 through the pins PN2 and PN4. An eighth pressure difference between. The processing circuit 122 knows the temperature around the sensor 113 based on the seventh and eighth differential pressures. In another possible embodiment, when the pin PN2 outputs the third current to the input terminal IN3, the processing circuit 122 detects a ninth voltage difference between the input terminal IN3 and the output terminal OT3 through the pins PN2 and PN4. In this example, processing circuit 122 knows the temperature around sensor 113 based on the seventh, eighth, and ninth differential pressures.

Similarly, when the pin PN2 outputs the first current, the first current flows from the input terminal IN4 into the sensor 114 and flows out from the output terminal OT4. The processing circuit 122 detects a tenth voltage difference between the input terminal IN4 and the output terminal OT4 through the pins PN2 and PN3. When the input terminal IN2 receives the second current, the processing circuit 122 detects an eleventh voltage difference between the input terminal IN4 and the output terminal OT4 through the pins PN2 and PN3. The processing circuit 122 knows the temperature around the sensor 114 based on the tenth and eleventh differential pressures. In another possible embodiment, when the pin PN2 outputs the third current, the processing circuit 122 detects a twelfth voltage difference between the input terminal IN4 and the output terminal OT4 through the pins PN2 and PN3. In this example, processing circuit 122 knows the temperature around sensor 114 based on the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth differential pressure differences.

In other embodiments, the control circuit 120 further includes a switching circuit 123. The switching circuit 123 is coupled to the current generator 121, the pins PN1 PN PN4, and the processing circuit 122. In a possible embodiment, the switching circuit 123 has switches SW1 and SW2. The switch SW1 is coupled between the current generator 121 and the pin PN1 for transmitting the first or second current pre-pin PN1. The switch SW2 is coupled between the current generator 121 and the pin PN2 for transmitting the first or second current pre-pin PN2.

In another possible embodiment, the switching circuit 123 further includes switches SW3 and SW4. The switch SW3 is coupled to the measuring end of the pin PN1 and the processing circuit 122. Between MT1, a voltage is supplied to the processing circuit 122 for inputting the input terminal IN1 or IN2. The switch SW4 is coupled between the pin PN2 and the measuring terminal MT1 of the processing circuit 122 for providing the voltage of the input terminal IN3 or IN4 to the processing circuit 122.

In other embodiments, the switching circuit 123 further includes switches SW5 and SW6. The switch SW5 is coupled between the pin PN3 and the operating voltage OP2 to provide an operating voltage OP2 to the output terminals OT2 and OT4. The switch SW6 is coupled between the pin PN4 and the operating voltage OP2 to provide an operating voltage OP2 to the output terminals OT1 and OT3. In the present embodiment, the measuring terminal MT2 of the processing circuit 122 receives the operating voltage OP2. In some embodiments, the operating voltage OP2 is less than the operating voltage OP1. In the present embodiment, the operating voltage OP2 is sufficient for the first or second current generated by the current generator 121 to flow through the control circuit 110. In a possible embodiment, the operating voltage OP2 is a ground voltage.

Additionally, processing circuit 122 generates a complex control signal (not shown) for controlling switches SW1~SW6. When the switch is turned on, the corresponding signal can be transmitted to the corresponding component. For example, when the processing circuit 122 turns on the switch SW1, the switch SW1 supplies the current (the first current or the second current) generated by the current generator 121 to the pin PN1. In other embodiments, current generator 121 is controlled by processing circuit 122. In this example, processing circuit 122 generates a trigger signal (not shown) to current generator 121. The current generator 121 generates a corresponding current (first, second or third current) according to the trigger signal.

Figure 2 is another schematic diagram of the operating system of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the sensing circuit 210 and the control circuit 220 are integrated in the same wafer 200, but are not intended to limit the present invention. In other embodiments, control circuit 220 is integrated into a wafer and sensing circuit 210 is located outside of the wafer.

As shown, the sensing circuit 210 has sensors 211-219, but is not intended to limit the invention. In other embodiments, the sensing circuit 210 may have more sensors. Since the characteristics of the sensors 211 to 219 are similar to those of the sensors 111 to 114 of the first embodiment, they will not be described again. In addition, in the present embodiment, the number of switches of the switching circuit 223 is related to the number of sensors. The more the sensors, the more the number of switches of the switching circuit 223. In a possible embodiment, when the current generator 221, the processing circuit 222, and the switching circuit 223 in the control circuit 220 are integrated in the same chip, the chip can be coupled to nine external senses by using only six pins. Detector. Since the characteristics of the current generator 221 and the processing circuit 222 are similar to those of the current generator 121 and the processing circuit 122 of FIG. 1, they will not be described again.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are used in the ordinary meaning Moreover, unless expressly stated, the definition of a vocabulary in a general dictionary should be interpreted as consistent with the meaning of an article in its related art, and should not be interpreted as an ideal state or an overly formal voice.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. . For example, the system, apparatus or method of the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a physical embodiment of a combination of hardware, software or hardware and software. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

An operating system includes: a current generator for providing a first current and a second current; a sensing circuit comprising: a first sensor having a first input and a first output The first input terminal is configured to receive the first or second current; a second sensor has a second input end and a second output end, the second input end is coupled to the first input end; a third sensor having a third input terminal for receiving the first or second current, the third output terminal coupled to the first output terminal; a fourth sensor having a fourth input end coupled to the third input end, the fourth output end coupled to the second output end, and a processing circuit The sensing circuit is coupled to the sensing circuit, wherein when the first input receives the first current, the processing circuit detects a first voltage difference between the first input end and the first output end, when the first When an input receives the second current, the processing circuit detects the first input and the A pressure difference between a second output terminal of the processing circuit according to the first and second pressure differential, the first sensor that the temperature of the surrounding. The operating system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit detects a third between the third input and the third output when the third input receives the first current a voltage difference, when the third input receives the second current, the processing circuit detects the third input end and the third output end A fourth voltage difference between the two, the processing circuit knows the temperature around the third sensor based on the third and fourth pressure differences. The operating system of claim 2, wherein the processing circuit has a first measuring end and a second measuring end, the first measuring end is coupled to the first and third input ends, and the second measuring The terminal receives an operating voltage. The operating system of claim 3, further comprising: a switching circuit coupled to the current generator for transmitting the first or second current to the first input. The operating system of claim 4, wherein the switching circuit comprises: a first switch coupled between the current generator and the first input; and a second switch coupled to the A current generator is coupled between the third input. The operating system of claim 1, wherein the current generator generates a third current, and when the first input receives the third current, the processing circuit detects the first input and the A third voltage difference between the first output ends, the processing circuit knows the temperature around the first sensor according to the first, second, and third pressure differences. A control circuit is integrated in a chip and includes: a current generator for providing a first current and a second current; and a first pin for outputting the first or second current to a sense The sensing circuit includes: a first sensor having a first input end and a first output end, the first input end for receiving the first or second current; a second sensor having a second input coupled to the first input; a third sensor having a third input and a third An output end, the third input end is configured to receive the first or second current, the third output end is coupled to the first output end; and a fourth sensor has a fourth input end and a fourth An output terminal, the fourth input end is coupled to the third input end, the fourth output end is coupled to the second output end; a second pin is coupled to the first output end; and a processing circuit The first and second pins are coupled to the first input terminal, wherein the processing circuit detects the first input terminal through the first and second pins when the first pin outputs the first current to the first input end And a first voltage difference between the first output terminal and the first output end, when the first pin transmits the second current to the first input end, the processing circuit detects the first through the first and second pins a second voltage difference between an input end and the first output end, the processing circuit knows the first according to the first and second pressure differences Around the temperature sensor. The control circuit of claim 7, wherein the processing circuit has a first measuring end and a second measuring end, the first measuring end is coupled to the first pin, and the second measuring end is coupled The second pin receives an operating voltage. The control circuit of claim 8, further comprising: a switching circuit coupled to the current generator for transmitting the first or second current to the first pin. The control circuit of claim 9, wherein the switching circuit comprises: a first switch is coupled between the current generator and the first pin; and a second switch is coupled between the current generator and a third pin, wherein the third pin is used And outputting the first or second current to the third input end.