US 12,480,822 B2
Wide range temperature-to-digital converter without explicit data converters
Mona Ganji, Ames, IA (US); and Degang James Chen, Ames, IA (US)
Assigned to Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Ames, IA (US)
Filed by Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Ames, IA (US)
Filed on Jan. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/095,853.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/358,953, filed on Jul. 7, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0011845 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. H03M 1/12 (2006.01); G01K 7/00 (2006.01); H03M 1/34 (2006.01)
CPC G01K 7/00 (2013.01) [H03M 1/34 (2013.01); G01K 2219/00 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operation of a temperature to digital converter to determine a temperature, comprising:
converting, by a voltage to current converter block, a reference voltage to a temperature independent current;
generating, by a digitizing block, a digitally controlled current based on the temperature independent current and a digital input code selected by a digital controller, wherein the digitally controlled current is associated with a digitally controlled voltage;
generating a proportional to absolute temperature voltage (VPTAT) by a VPTAT generator; and
in response to determining that a difference between the digitally controlled voltage and the VPTAT is below a predetermined threshold, determining the temperature that corresponds to the digital input code.