Patent ID: 7782119
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: G05F

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor integrated circuit comprising: a temperature detection circuit operable to detect chip temperature; and a functional module flowing operating current greater than operating current of the temperature detection circuit, wherein the functional module is coupled to an external operating voltage supply terminal to which operating voltage is supplied from the exterior of the semiconductor integrated circuit, and to an external ground voltage supply terminal to which ground voltage is supplied from the exterior of the semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein the temperature detection circuit generates a temperature detection signal having prescribed temperature dependence and a reference signal having temperature dependence smaller than the prescribed temperature dependence, wherein the reference signal and the temperature detection signal are led to the exterior of the semiconductor integrated circuit via a first external output terminal and a second external output terminal, respectively, so as to enable one of controlling by an external temperature control circuit and monitoring by an external temperature monitoring circuit in the exterior of the semiconductor integrated circuit, the external temperature control circuit and the external temperature monitoring circuit having a circuitry type of differential amplifier circuit, and wherein the reference signal and the temperature detection signal, which are led to the exterior of the semiconductor integrated circuit, are supplied to one of the external temperature control circuit and the external temperature monitoring circuit.