Patent ID: 9429606
Filing Date: 2016-08-30
CPC Classification: G01D,G01K,G01R

Claim Text:
1. A method of increasing resolution of resistance sensing, includes the steps of: determining a maximum resistance position of a resistive device; sensing a voltage that is generated by passing a current through the resistive device when the resistive device is at the maximum resistance position; increasing the current generated by a variable current source by increasing the current value, until the voltage that is sensed is near a maximum voltage; storing the current value used by the variable current source associated with the maximum voltage as a first current value; determining a minimum resistance position of the resistive device; sensing the voltage that is generated by passing the current through the resistive device when the resistive device is at the minimum resistance position; decreasing the current generated by the variable current source by decreasing the current value, until the voltage that is sensed is near a minimum voltage when the device the resistance position; storing the current value used by the variable current source associated with minimum voltage as a second current value; determining a maximum resolution step value derived from the minimum resistance position and maximum resistance position; and changing the current value used by the variable current as the resistance value changes by the maximum resolution step value.