Patent ID: 7187160
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring an RMS voltage of an arbitrary time-varying waveform provided with a thermally sensitive device and a controlled DC voltage source, the method comprising: a) coupling the arbitrary time-varying waveform to the thermally sensitive device; b) decoupling the arbitrary time-varying waveform from the thermally sensitive device; c) coupling the thermally sensitive device to the controlled DC voltage source; d) measuring a current through the thermally sensitive device at least two points in time; e) determining a change in the current over the at least two points in time; f) if the current is increasing between the at least two points in time, then decrease the controlled DC voltage source responsive to determining that the current is increasing; g) if the current is decreasing between the at least two points in time, then increase the controlled DC voltage source responsive to determining that the current is decreasing; h) repeating steps a)–g) until the current change is equal to a predetermined value; and i) outputting DC voltage source value, which equal to RMS value of the arbitrary time-varying waveform, when the current change is equal to the predetermined value.