Patent ID: 7837384
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: G01K

Abstract:
1. An integrated circuit for detecting when a temperature reaches a specified value comprising: a first transistor having a base, an emitter, and a collector, the base coupled to a first voltage source; a second transistor having a base, an emitter, and a collector, the second transistor having an area greater than the first transistor, the base of the second transistor coupled to a second voltage source, the emitter of the second transistor coupled to the emitter of the first transistor; and an active load circuit block comprising first and second active load transistors, the first active load transistor providing a first current into the collector of the first transistor, the second active load transistor providing a second current into the collector of the second transistor; wherein the first current is equal to the second current at the specified temperature according to selected values of the first voltage source, the second voltage source, the ratio of the areas of the first and second transistors, and the ratio of the areas of the first and second active load transistors.