Temperature stabilization of an on-chip temperature-sensitive element

Disclosed is an integrated circuit (IC) chip incorporating a temperature-sensitive element and temperature stabilization circuitry for ensuring that the temperature of the temperature-sensitive element (TSE) remains essentially constant. The IC chip comprises a temperature-sensitive element and, wit...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: Stricker Andreas D, Loiseau Alain
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Disclosed is an integrated circuit (IC) chip incorporating a temperature-sensitive element and temperature stabilization circuitry for ensuring that the temperature of the temperature-sensitive element (TSE) remains essentially constant. The IC chip comprises a temperature-sensitive element and, within at least one region adjacent to the temperature-sensitive element, a first circuit that radiates a first heat amount to the TSE and a second circuit that radiates a second heat amount to the TSE. The second circuit senses changes in a first current amount in the first circuit and, thereby changes in the first heat amount. In response to those changes, the second circuit also automatically adjusts a second current amount in the second circuit and, thereby the second heat amount in order to ensure that the total heat amount radiated by the first circuit and the second circuit, in combination, to the TSE remains constant. Also disclosed is an associated method.