Patent ID: 6198296
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: G01D,G01R

Abstract:
A linearization circuit comprising:(a) a sensor circuit including a first terminal receiving an excitation voltage, and second and third terminals producing a sensor output voltage therebetween;(b) a differential amplifier circuit coupled to the second and third terminals and producing a linearization current in response to the sensor output voltage;(c) a current direction switch circuit producing a bi-directional correction current proportional to the linearization current, the current direction switch circuit having a fourth terminal receiving the linearization current, a fifth terminal conducting the correction current, and a control terminal receiving a polarity control signal to determine the direction of flow of the correction current through the fifth terminal in response to the sensor output voltage; and(d) an amplifier circuit receiving and amplifying a reference voltage to produce the excitation voltage, the amplifier circuit including a feedback circuit, the feedback circuit being coupled to the fifth terminal and modulating the feedback circuit in response to the correction current to cause the amplifier circuit to produce the excitation voltage equal to the reference voltage plus or minus a positive or negative correction, respectively, according to the level of the polarity control signal and according to the magnitude of the sensor output voltage.