Patent ID: 8384395
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A circuit for controlling temperature of a semiconductor chip, the circuit comprising: a first heating element, built into the semiconductor chip, that generates heat to increase the temperature of the semiconductor chip; and a temperature controller, having a temperature sensor, coupled to the first heating element and built into the semiconductor chip, that controls the temperature to enable testing of the semiconductor chip at a desired temperature, wherein the temperature sensor comprises: a first transistor that senses the temperature; a second transistor, having a base connected to a base of the first transistor, that senses the temperature in conjunction with the first transistor; a third transistor coupled to a power supply and having a drain coupled to a collector of the first transistor; a fourth transistor coupled to the power supply and having a gate coupled to a gate of the third transistor; a first resistor in series connection with the first transistor; a second resistor, in series connection with the fourth transistor, that provides the voltage corresponding to the temperature in conjunction with the fourth transistor; and a fifth transistor coupled to the power supply and having a gate coupled to the gate of the third transistor and to the gate of the fourth transistor, the third transistor and the fifth transistor dividing a current flowing from the power supply into a first current and a second current, the first current flowing through the third transistor, the first transistor, and the first resistor, and the second current flowing through the fifth transistor and the second transistor.