Patent Description:
Integrated circuits (IC), such as analog signal ICs, digital signal ICs, or mixed signal ICs, typically comprise a set of electronic components, such as transistors or other suitable components, inseparably integrated on a small portion of semiconductor material (e.g., silicon or other suitable material) called a die. Modern ICs may integrate millions or billions of electronic components on a die, and may be used in various automotive applications, such as engine control units, power drive systems and antilock brake systems, and other kinds of applications such as desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile computing devices, tablet computing devices, home appliances, stereos, medical devices, and other electronic devices.

Performance, accuracy and/or longevity of components in an IC may depend on operating temperature. Temperature monitoring circuitry, including one or more thermal sensing devices at respective locations on the IC die, may be incorporated such that temperatures at the respective locations may be monitored and/or used to modify operation of the IC and/or used to determine the integrity of thermal paths from the IC to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA).

It may be useful to calibrate temperature monitoring circuitry of a given IC by querying the IC for temperature readings from its thermal sensing devices, and comparing the temperature readings to a reference temperature of an environment in which the IC is being maintained. However, despite an IC being maintained during calibration within an environment at a reference temperature, self-heating of the IC die due to operation of self-heating components in the IC may result in actual temperatures at locations within the IC being significantly higher than the reference temperature. This may lead to inaccurate calibration. While, in a highly-controlled lab environment, calibration may be attempted while power supplies and internal self-heating components within an IC are disabled and are thus not contributing to internal self-heating, it may not be possible or desirable to disable such elements for calibration while the IC is deployed in mission mode (i.e., while IC circuitry for performing intended functions of the IC is enabled so the IC may function as intended in a system, as contrasted for example with a test mode during which IC circuitry for performing intended functions of the IC may be deliberately at least partly disabled for testing the IC).

<CIT>discloses an on-chip temperature sensing using thermal oscillator. A calibrated temperature sensor includes a power on oscillator responsive to a calibration enable signal for providing a power on clock signal, a temperature dependent oscillator responsive to said calibration enable signal for providing a temperature dependent clock signal, and a measurement logic circuit. The measurement logic circuit counts a first number of pulses of the temperature dependent clock signal during a first calibration period using the power on clock signal, a second number of pulses of the temperature dependent clock signal during a second calibration period using a system clock signal, and a third number of pulses of the power on clock signal over a third calibration period using the system clock signal, and a fourth number of pulses of the temperature dependent clock signal using the system clock signal during a normal operation mode, wherein the first calibration period precedes both the second and third calibration periods.

This disclosure relates generally to integrated circuits, and in particular, to an integrated circuit and method for capturing die temperature data for temperature calibration.

According to the invention, there is provided a method for capturing integrated circuit (IC) die temperature data, according to claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

According to the invention, there is furthermore provided an integrated circuit (IC) according to claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure are provided in the following detailed description of the embodiments, the appended claims, and the accompanying figures.

As described, integrated circuits (IC), such as analog signal ICs, digital signal ICs, or mixed signal ICs, typically comprise a set of electronic components, such as transistors or other suitable components, inseparably integrated on a small portion of semiconductor material (e.g., silicon or other suitable material) called a die. Modern ICs may integrate millions or billions of electronic components on a die, and may be used in various automotive applications, such as engine control units, power drive systems and antilock brake systems, and other kinds of applications such as desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile computing devices, tablet computing devices, home appliances, stereos, medical devices, and other electronic devices.

An IC is typically connected, using solder or other thermally conductive material, to a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate, which electrically connects other ICs and electronic components on the PCB. For example, one or more leads of the IC may be soldered (e.g., thermally attached) to the substrate to electrically connect the IC to the other ICs and electronic components on the PCB and/or to one another. The solder, such as a lead alloy solder or other suitable solder, provides a conductive path for electrons to flow to and from the IC via the substrate. Typically, solder and flux (e.g., a paste that promotes solder flow) are applied to the PCB using a suitable manufacturing process to secure and electrically connect the IC, and other electronic components, to the PCB (e.g., typically referred to as a PCB assembly (PCBA) when the ICs and electronic components are secured and electrically connected to the PCB).

During manufacturing of PCBAs, solder between ICs and/or other electronic components may be insufficiently applied, resulting in faulty solder connections. Faulty solder connections (e.g., solder voids or other faulty solder connection) are relatively common and degrade thermal interfaces (e.g., connections between ICs and/or other electronic components and the substrate). For example, under certain circumstances (e.g., increased thermal conditions resulting from high power being applied to the ICs and/or electronic components) in production (e.g., in a production environment, such as an end user environment, and the like) the solder connection between, for example, the IC and the substrate of the PCB may be inadequate (e.g., due to the insufficiently applied solder). This may cause the IC to overheat or enter thermal shutdown preventing the IC from interacting with other components on the PCB and/or other system components associated therewith. Such faulty solder connections may result from component tolerance issues, leadform stamping tolerances, solder printing tolerances, and the like and are often not detected in the production environment.

Temperature monitoring circuitry, including one or more thermal sensing devices at respective locations on the IC die, may be incorporated so that temperatures at the respective locations may be monitored and/or used to modify operation of the IC and/or used to determine the integrity of thermal paths from the IC to the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). It may be useful to calibrate temperature monitoring circuitry of a given IC by querying the IC for temperature readings from its thermal sensing devices, and comparing the temperature readings to a reference temperature of an environment in which the IC is being maintained. However, despite an IC being maintained during calibration within an environment at a reference temperature, self-heating of the IC die due to operation of self-heating components in the IC may result in actual temperatures at locations within the IC being significantly higher than the reference temperature. This may lead to inaccurate calibration. While, in a highly-controlled lab environment, calibration may be attempted while power supplies and internal self-heating components within an IC are disabled and are thus not contributing to internal self-heating, it may not be possible or desirable to disable such elements for calibration while the IC is deployed in mission mode.

Accordingly, systems and methods, such as those described herein, that obtain first temperature data from at least one thermal sensing device associated with the die of the IC responsive to deassertion of a reset signal asserted responsive to an application of power to the IC, may be desirable. Obtaining temperature data responsive to the deassertion of the reset signal may enable the first temperature data to be obtained after power has been applied to the components of the IC, including the self-heating components, but before any or very much self-heating has yet occurred. Such first temperature data may therefore be very little reflective of, or unreflective of, self-heating, such that the first temperature data may be deemed to be sufficiently accurate baseline temperature data.

<FIG> generally illustrates a vehicle <NUM>, which is not forming part of the present invention. The vehicle <NUM> may include any suitable vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a mini-van, a cross-over, any other passenger vehicle, any suitable commercial vehicle, or any other suitable vehicle. While the vehicle <NUM> is illustrated as a passenger vehicle having wheels and for use on roads, the principles of the present disclosure may apply to other vehicles, such as planes, boats, trains, drones, or other suitable vehicles. The vehicle <NUM> includes a vehicle body <NUM> and a hood <NUM>. A portion of the vehicle body <NUM> defines a passenger compartment <NUM>. Another portion of the vehicle body <NUM> defines the engine compartment <NUM>. The hood <NUM> may be moveably attached to a portion of the vehicle body <NUM>, such that the hood <NUM> provides access to the engine compartment <NUM> when the hood <NUM> is in a first or open position and the hood <NUM> covers the engine compartment <NUM> when the hood <NUM> is in a second or closed position.

The passenger compartment <NUM> is disposed rearward of the engine compartment <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> may include any suitable propulsion system including an internal combustion engine, one or more electric motors (e.g., an electric vehicle), one or more fuel cells, a hybrid (e.g., a hybrid vehicle) propulsion system comprising a combination of an internal combustion engine, one or more electric motors, and/or any other suitable propulsion system. For example, the vehicle <NUM> may include a petrol or gasoline fuel engine, such as a spark ignition engine. The vehicle <NUM> may include a diesel fuel engine, such as a compression ignition engine. The engine compartment <NUM> houses and/or encloses at least some components of the propulsion system of the vehicle <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, propulsion controls, such as an accelerator actuator (e.g., an accelerator pedal), a brake actuator (e.g., a brake pedal), a steering wheel, and other such components are disposed in the passenger compartment <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. The propulsion controls may be actuated or controlled by a driver of the vehicle <NUM> and may be directly connected to corresponding components of the propulsion system, such as a throttle, a brake, a vehicle axle, a vehicle transmission, and the like, respectively. The propulsion controls may communicate signals to a vehicle computer system (e.g., drive by wire) which in turn may control the corresponding propulsion component of the propulsion system.

The vehicle computer system may include various electrical and electronic components for control of the propulsion components of the propulsion system and for control of other vehicle subsystems, such as antilock braking, vehicle signaling, entertainment, and other subsystems. Such components may be powered by one or more vehicle batteries housed within the engine compartment <NUM> or within another location in the vehicle <NUM>, and may include one or more integrated circuits for handling signal processing, power conditioning, and other functions for the various subsystems of vehicle <NUM> that are controlled by the vehicle computer system.

For example, the vehicle <NUM> includes a transmission in communication with a crankshaft via a flywheel or clutch or fluid coupling. The transmission includes a manual transmission. The transmission includes an automatic transmission. The vehicle <NUM> may include one or more pistons, in the case of an internal combustion engine or a hybrid vehicle, which cooperatively operate with the crankshaft to generate force, which is translated through the transmission to one or more axles, which turns wheels <NUM>. When the vehicle <NUM> includes one or more electric motors, a vehicle battery and/or fuel cell provides energy to the electric motors to turn the wheels <NUM>. In cases where the vehicle <NUM> includes a vehicle battery to provide energy to the one or more electric motors, when the battery is depleted, it may be connected to an electric grid (e.g., using a wall socket) to recharge the battery cells. Additionally, or alternatively, the vehicle <NUM> may employ regenerative braking which uses the one or more electric motors of the vehicle <NUM> as a generator to convert kinetic energy lost due to decelerating back into stored energy in the battery.

The vehicle <NUM> may include automatic vehicle propulsion systems, such as a cruise control, an adaptive cruise control, automatic braking control, other automatic vehicle propulsion systems, or a combination thereof. The vehicle <NUM> may be an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, or other suitable type of vehicle. The vehicle <NUM> may include additional or fewer features than those generally illustrated and/or disclosed herein.

<FIG> generally illustrates an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM> according to the principles of the present disclosure. IC <NUM> may be configured for a suitable application, such as for use in a propulsion system, an anti-lock braking system, or some other electrical control or processing system. IC <NUM> may include a plurality of electrical components inseparably integrated and/or disposed on a segment of semiconductor material, such as silicon or other suitable semiconductor material, known as a die <NUM>. IC <NUM> may comprise a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a memory chip, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a sensor, a power management circuit, an operation amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, or other suitable IC. Additionally, or alternatively, IC <NUM> may comprise an analog signal IC, a digital signal IC, or a mixed signal IC. IC <NUM> may interact with one or more other ICs on the same PCBA or on another PCBA included as part of the system.

IC <NUM> may be configured with logic blocks of components assembled generally as a group on die <NUM> to implement a logical sub-function of IC <NUM>. Shown in <FIG> are logic blocks and components for self-initialization including reset and temperature capture, as well as temperature retrieval of IC <NUM> according to the disclosure. Logic blocks and components for application-specific functions, such as for power drive functions involving signal processing and/or power management, are not shown explicitly but should be understood to also be present at respective locations on die <NUM> of IC <NUM>.

During manufacturing of PCBAs having ICs with a similar design to the IC <NUM>, the ICs may be tested to verify sufficiency of thermal paths associated with the ICs. The ICs may be tested at in-circuit test, middle of the line, end of the line, at warranty testing, or a combination thereof. A thermal path associated with a respective IC may include solder connections between the IC and an associated PCB and/or other suitable thermal interfaces or connections. If, during testing, a thermal path associated with the IC is determined to be intermediate or insufficient, the assembly of the PCBA may then be adjusted or repaired in order to correct the insufficient thermal path.

According to teh invention, IC <NUM> includes self-initializing logic configured to self-initialize IC <NUM> responsive to an application of power to IC from a vehicle battery or other power source <NUM>. During self-initialization, IC <NUM> is being prepared for operation with and by other components of vehicle <NUM> including capturing its own baseline die temperature data, as described herein. Power source <NUM> may include a current source, a voltage source, or other suitable power source. Power source <NUM> may include a power circuit comprising a voltage source, one or more resistors, one or more capacitors, and/or one or more other suitable electrical components. When power (e.g., voltage and/or current) is supplied by power source <NUM>, the power flows through components of IC <NUM> and into a substrate of a PCB (not shown) via thermal connections between IC <NUM> and the substrate.

In some embodiments, the self-initializing logic may include reset logic (RL) <NUM> configured to assert a reset signal RS. RL <NUM> is configured to assert reset signal RS for a reset period after the application of the power by power source <NUM> to IC <NUM>. Other logic blocks of IC <NUM> may be signaled by the assertion of reset signal RS and responsive to the assertion of reset signal RS may, during the reset period, enter a reset state during which internal logic states of the logic blocks may be set to known logical starting conditions. After the reset period, RL <NUM> may deassert reset signal RS. Logic blocks of IC <NUM> may be signaled by the deassertion of reset signal RS. Responsive to the deassertion of reset signal RS, the logic blocks may exit the reset state.

According to the invention, IC <NUM> includes one or more thermal sensing devices, such as one or more thermal sensing devices 50a-f at respective locations on die <NUM>. Thermal sensing devices 50a-f may sense temperatures of die <NUM> at their respective locations. In some embodiments, each of thermal sensing devices 50a-f is a thermal sensing diode. In some embodiments, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) <NUM> may be configured to digitally sample an electrical characteristic of thermal sensing devices 50a-f according to a sampling period (i.e., in round-robin fashion), thereby to obtain temperature data from each thermal sensing device 50a-f via ADC <NUM>. In other embodiments, individual ADCs may be associated with respective thermal sensing devices thereby to obtain temperature data from the thermal sensing devices simultaneously. In some embodiments, the electric characteristic of a thermal sensing device is a voltage across the thermal sensing device, with the voltage across the thermal sensing device changing according to temperature changes of the thermal sensing device. In some embodiments the electric characteristic is a resistance of the thermal sensing device, with the resistance of the thermal sensing device changing according to temperature changes of the thermal sensing device.

In some embodiments, self-initializing logic may include baseline temperature capture logic (BTCL) <NUM> that is configured to be responsive to reset signal RS from RL <NUM> being deasserted after the expiration of the reset period. Responsive to reset signal RS being deasserted, BTCL <NUM> may automatically obtain first temperature data from each of thermal sensing devices 50a-f. BTCL <NUM> may be configured to store the first temperature data in a storage component <NUM> of IC <NUM>. By automatically obtaining first temperature data from the thermal sensing devices 50a-f and storing the first temperature data in storage component <NUM> responsive to reset signal RS being deasserted, IC <NUM> may obtain the first temperature data before significant self-heating of IC <NUM> has been allowed to occur, and without intervention from a device, such as device <NUM>, that is external to IC <NUM>. The first temperature data may therefore be regarded as baseline temperature data for each of thermal sensing devices 50a-f of IC <NUM>. As used herein, device <NUM> may be any device in communication with IC <NUM>, such as a master control unit (MCU), an engine control unit (ECU), another IC, or some other device arranged within vehicle <NUM> to communicate with IC <NUM>. References to device <NUM> communicating with and/or receiving information from IC <NUM> are not intended to be restricted to IC <NUM> communicating only with a single device or kind of device. For example, depending on how the vehicle control system is configured, different devices having features similar to device <NUM> may communicate with and/or receive information from IC <NUM> as described herein. However, only a single device <NUM> is shown and described for ease of explanation.

In some embodiments, storage component <NUM> includes individual registers 72a-f for storing the first temperature data of respective thermal sensing devices 50a-f.

In some embodiments, the self-initialization logic of IC <NUM> includes built in self test logic (BISTL) <NUM>, also responsive to deassertion of reset signal RS, to conduct a built in self test (BIST) of IC <NUM>. A BIST is a routine conducted by BISTL <NUM> after IC <NUM> has exited the reset state and prior to IC <NUM> entering a normal (or operating) state. The BIST is for testing logic blocks and components of IC <NUM> to ensure they are operating correctly. Conducting a BIST may cause some heating of components at various locations on die <NUM>. Therefore, in some embodiments, BISTL <NUM> may be configured to conduct the BIST only after the first temperature data is stored by BTCL <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, where conducting a BIST does not itself cause significant heating of components, BISTL <NUM> may be configured to conduct a BIST prior to the first temperature data being obtained by BTCL <NUM>.

In some embodiments, IC <NUM> includes baseline temperature retrieval logic (BTRL) <NUM> and temperature read logic (TRL) <NUM>. In some embodiments, BTRL <NUM> is configured to receive a baseline temperature retrieval request from a device such as device <NUM>. Herein, a device when making a request of IC <NUM> may be referred to as a requesting device. BTRL <NUM> is configured to, responsive to the baseline temperature retrieval request, retrieve the first temperature data from storage component <NUM> and to provide the retrieved first temperature data to device <NUM>. A device such as device <NUM> may therefore have continued access, long after power has been first applied to IC <NUM> and after IC <NUM> has been self-initialized, to retrieve the baseline temperatures that had been captured by BTCL <NUM> during self-initialization.

In some embodiments, TRL <NUM> is configured to be responsive to receipt of a temperature read request from a device such as device <NUM> to obtain at least second temperature data from each of thermal sensing devices 50a-f and to provide the second temperature data to device <NUM>. In some embodiments, TRL <NUM> may cause ADC <NUM> to digitally sample the electrical characteristics of thermal sensing devices 50a-f, in a similar manner to that described herein in connection with BTCL <NUM> obtaining the first temperature data. Second temperature data, and any third or additional temperature data obtained responsive to additional temperature read requests from device <NUM>, may be regarded as current temperature data as at the time of a temperature read request. A device such as device <NUM> may therefore have continued access, via TRL <NUM>, to current temperature data respective temperatures at various locations within die <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a device such as device <NUM> may use the first temperature data retrieved from storage component <NUM> as baseline temperature data when making determinations, along with second and subsequent temperature data, about temperature rise rates at various locations within die <NUM>. Such determinations may be useful for determining whether thermal paths are sufficient. In addition to the first temperature data being available as described herein to a device such as device <NUM>, in some embodiments the first temperature data may be available to one or more logic blocks of IC <NUM>, which may retrieve and use the first temperature data during initialization and/or operation of one or more of the logic blocks of IC <NUM>.

In some embodiments, self-initializing logic may include other configurations of logic blocks or a single logic block for conducting reset and obtaining and storing temperatures of the at least one thermal sensing device. In some embodiments, self-initializing logic may include other configurations of logic blocks or a single logic block for conducting a built in self-test. In some embodiments, self-initializing logic may not include any logic blocks for conducting a built in self test. In some embodiments, assertion and deassertion of a reset signal may be done by logic on a device that is external to the IC, such that the IC is responsive to the assertion and deassertion of a reset signal that is controlled by and conveyed to the IC by reset logic on the other device, such that IC does not itself generate or assert/deassert the reset signal itself. Variations are possible.

According to the invention, IC <NUM> includes self-initializing logic configured to self-initialize IC <NUM> responsive to an application of power to IC from a vehicle battery or other power source <NUM>. During self-initialization, IC <NUM> is being prepared for operation with and by other components of vehicle <NUM> including capturing its own baseline die temperature data, as described herein. Power source <NUM> may include a current source, a voltage source, or other suitable power source. Power source <NUM> may include a power circuit comprising a voltage source, one or more resistors, one or more capacitors, and/or one or more other suitable electrical components. When power (e.g., voltage and/or current) is supplied by power source <NUM>, the power flows through components of IC <NUM> and into a substrate of a PCB (not shown) via thermal connections between IC <NUM> and the substrate.

In some embodiments, the self-initializing logic may include reset logic (RL) <NUM> configured to assert a reset signal RS. RL <NUM> is configured to assert reset signal RS for a reset period after the application of the power by power source <NUM> to IC <NUM>. Other logic blocks of IC <NUM> may be signaled by the assertion of reset signal RS and responsive to the assertion of reset signal RS may, during the reset period, enter a reset state during which internal logic states of the logic blocks may be set to known logical starting conditions. After the reset period, RL <NUM> deasserts reset signal RS. Logic blocks of IC <NUM> may be signaled by the deassertion of reset signal RS. Responsive to the deassertion of reset signal RS, the logic blocks may exit the reset state.

According to the invention, IC <NUM> includes one or more thermal sensing devices, such as one or more thermal sensing devices 150a-f at respective locations on die <NUM>. Thermal sensing devices 150a-f may sense temperatures of die <NUM> at their respective locations. In some embodiments, each of thermal sensing devices 150a-f is a thermal sensing diode. In some embodiments, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) <NUM> may be configured to digitally sample an electrical characteristic of thermal sensing devices 150a-f according to a sampling period (i.e., in round-robin fashion), thereby to obtain temperature data from each thermal sensing device 150a-f via ADC <NUM>. In other embodiments, individual ADCs may be associated with respective thermal sensing devices thereby to obtain temperature data from the thermal sensing devices simultaneously. In some embodiments, the electric characteristic of a thermal sensing device is a voltage across the thermal sensing device, with the voltage across the thermal sensing device changing according to temperature changes of the thermal sensing device. In some embodiments the electric characteristic is a resistance of the thermal sensing device, with the resistance of the thermal sensing device changing according to temperature changes of the thermal sensing device.

In some embodiments, self-initializing logic may include baseline temperature capture logic (BTCL) <NUM> that is configured to be responsive to reset signal RS from RL <NUM> being deasserted after the expiration of the reset period. Responsive to reset signal RS being deasserted, BTCL <NUM> may automatically obtain first temperature data from each of thermal sensing devices 150a-f. BTCL <NUM> may be configured to store the first temperature data in a storage component <NUM> of IC <NUM>. By automatically obtaining first temperature data from the thermal sensing devices 150a-f and storing the first temperature data in storage component <NUM> responsive to reset signal RS being deasserted, IC <NUM> may obtain the first temperature data before significant self-heating of IC <NUM> has been allowed to occur, and without intervention from a device, such as device <NUM>, that is external to IC <NUM>. The first temperature data may therefore be regarded as baseline temperature data for each of thermal sensing devices 150a-f of IC <NUM>. As used herein, device <NUM> may be any device in communication with IC <NUM>, such as a master control unit (MCU), an engine control unit (ECU), another IC, or some other device arranged within vehicle <NUM> to communicate with IC <NUM>. References to device <NUM> communicating with and/or receiving information from IC <NUM> are not intended to be restricted to IC <NUM> communicating only with a single device or kind of device. For example, depending on how the vehicle control system is configured, different devices having features similar to device <NUM> may communicate with and/or receive information from IC <NUM> as described herein. However, only a single device <NUM> is shown and described for ease of explanation.

In some embodiments, storage component <NUM> includes individual registers 172a-f for storing the first temperature data of respective thermal sensing devices 150a-f.

In some embodiments, TRL <NUM> is configured to be responsive to receipt of a temperature read request from a device such as device <NUM> to obtain at least second temperature data from each of thermal sensing devices 150a-f and to provide the second temperature data to device <NUM>. In some embodiments, TRL <NUM> may cause ADC <NUM> to digitally sample the electrical characteristics of thermal sensing devices 150a-f, in a similar manner to that described herein in connection with BTCL <NUM> obtaining the first temperature data. Second temperature data, and any third or additional temperature data obtained responsive to additional temperature read requests from device <NUM>, may be regarded as current temperature data as at the time of a temperature read request. A device such as device <NUM> may therefore have continued access, via TRL <NUM>, to current temperature data respective temperatures at various locations within die <NUM>.

In some embodiments, IC <NUM> may include interim temperature capture logic (ITCL) <NUM> that is configured to automatically obtain third temperature data from each of thermal sensing devices 150a-f at some time after initialization when self-heating may have occurred due to operation of IC <NUM>. ITCL <NUM> may be configured to store the third temperature data in a storage component <NUM> of IC <NUM>. By automatically obtaining the third temperature data from the thermal sensing devices 150a-f and storing the third temperature data in storage component <NUM>, IC <NUM> may obtain the third temperature data after self-heating of IC <NUM> has occurred, and without intervention from a device, such as device <NUM>. The third temperature data may therefore be regarded as interim temperature data for each of thermal sensing devices 150a-f of IC <NUM>. Capture and storage of such interim temperature data may be used along with the baseline temperature data described herein to determine temperature rise rates at locations of die <NUM> or to enable IC <NUM> to automatically detect temperature(s) rising above a threshold temperature and/or threshold temperatures, without requiring intervention or requests from a device such as device <NUM>. IC <NUM> may include logic blocks for enabling IC <NUM> to self-regulate its operation based on such automatic detection of temperature rises in relation to the threshold temperature and/or threshold temperatures. As used herein, device <NUM> may be any device in communication with IC <NUM>, such as a master control unit (MCU), an engine control unit (ECU), another IC, or some other device arranged within vehicle <NUM> to communicate with IC <NUM>. References to device <NUM> communicating with and/or receiving information from IC <NUM> are not intended to be restricted to IC <NUM> communicating only with a single device or kind of device. For example, depending on how the vehicle control system is configured, different devices having features similar to device <NUM> may communicate with and/or receive information from IC <NUM> as described herein. However, only a single device <NUM> is shown and described for ease of explanation.

In some embodiments, storage component <NUM> includes individual registers 172a'-f for storing the third temperature data of respective thermal sensing devices 150a-f.

In some embodiments, IC <NUM> includes interim temperature retrieval logic (ITRL) <NUM>. In some embodiments, ITRL <NUM> is configured to receive an interim temperature retrieval request from a device such as device <NUM>. Herein, a device when making a request of IC <NUM> may be referred to as a requesting device. ITRL <NUM> is configured to, responsive to the interim temperature retrieval request, retrieve the third temperature data from storage component <NUM> and to provide the retrieved third temperature data to device <NUM>. A device such as device 600may therefore have continued access, long after power has been first applied to IC <NUM> and after IC <NUM> has been self-initialized, to retrieve the interim temperatures that had been captured by ITCL <NUM> during self-initialization.

In some embodiments, a device such as device <NUM> may use the first temperature data retrieved from storage component <NUM> as baseline temperature data when making determinations, along with third temperature data retrieved from storage component <NUM> as interim temperature data, and any additional temperature data retrieved via TRL <NUM>, about temperature rise rates at various locations within die <NUM>. Such determinations may be useful for determining whether thermal paths are sufficient. In addition to the third temperature data being available as described herein to a device such as device <NUM>, in some embodiments the third temperature data may be available to one or more logic blocks of IC <NUM>, which may retrieve and use the third temperature data during operation of one or more of the logic blocks of IC <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow diagram generally illustrating an integrated circuit (IC) die temperature capture method <NUM> according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, at <NUM>, power is applied to the IC and, at <NUM>, the IC, responsive to the application of power to the IC, self-initializes.

<FIG> is a flow diagram illustrating, in further detail, general aspects of the self-initializing at <NUM> in <FIG> according to principles of the present disclosure. According to the invention, the self-initializing includes, at <NUM>, asserting a reset signal for a reset period. At <NUM>, the self-initializing includes, in response to an expiration of the reset period, deasserting the reset signal. At <NUM>, the self-initializing includes, responsive to the reset signal being deasserted, automatically obtaining first temperature data from at least one thermal sensing device associated with a die of the IC. At <NUM>, the self-initializing also includes storing the first temperature data in a storage component of the IC.

In some embodiments, the self-initializing further includes, responsive to deasserting the reset signal, conducting a built in self test (BIST) of the IC. In some embodiments, conducting the BIST includes conducting the BIST after the storing. As a BIST may itself cause components, and thus the die, to self-heat, conducting the BIST after the storing may ensure the first temperature data is not influenced by component self-heating due to conducting the BIST. However, in some embodiments, conducting the BIST includes conducting the BIST before the obtaining of the first temperature data. In some embodiments, conducting the BIST includes conducting the BIST while the first temperature data is being obtained.

In some embodiments, storing the first temperature data in the storage component of the IC includes storing the first temperature data obtained from the at least one thermal sensing device in a respective register in the IC.

In some embodiments, obtaining the first temperature data from the at least one thermal sensing device associated with the die of the IC includes digitally sampling an electrical characteristic of the at least one thermal sensing device.

In some embodiments, the at least one thermal sensing devices includes a plurality of thermal sensing devices, and digitally sampling includes, using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), digitally sampling the electrical characteristic of each of the plurality of the thermal sensing devices according to a sampling period.

In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, from a requesting device, a temperature read request, responsive to receiving the temperature read request, obtaining second temperature data from the at least one thermal sensing device, and providing the second temperature data to the requesting device. In some embodiments, obtaining second temperature data from the at least one thermal sensing device includes digitally sampling an electrical characteristic of the at least one thermal sensing device.

In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, from a requesting device, a baseline temperature retrieval request, responsive to receiving the baseline temperature retrieval request, retrieving the first temperature data from the storage component of the IC, and providing the first temperature data retrieved from the storage component of the IC to the requesting device.

In some embodiments, the at least one thermal sensing device includes a thermal sense diode.

In some embodiments, at some time after initialization and responsive to an elapsed time or to another threshold condition being satisfied, third temperature data may be automatically obtained by the IC from at least one of the thermal sensing devices. In some embodiments, the third temperature data may be stored in a storage component of the IC as interim temperature data. In some embodiments, storing the third temperature data in the storage component of the IC includes storing the third temperature data obtained from the at least one thermal sensing device in a respective register in the IC that is different from the register storing the respective first temperature data. The IC may therefore simultaneously store both the first - or baseline - temperature data and the third - or interim - temperature data, and may provide access by a device to the stored baseline and/or interim temperature data.

In some embodiments, obtaining the third temperature data from the at least one thermal sensing device associated with the die of the IC includes digitally sampling an electrical characteristic of the at least one thermal sensing device.

In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, from a requesting device, an interim temperature retrieval request, responsive to receiving the interim temperature retrieval request, retrieving the third temperature data from the storage component of the IC, and providing the third temperature data retrieved from the storage component of the IC to the requesting device.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

The word "example" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X includes A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X includes A; X includes B; or X includes both A and B, then "X includes A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Moreover, use of the term "an implementation" or "one implementation" throughout is not intended to mean the same embodiment or implementation unless described as such.

Implementations the systems, algorithms, methods, instructions, etc., described herein can be realized in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. The hardware can include, for example, computers, intellectual property (IP) cores, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic arrays, optical processors, programmable logic controllers, microcode, microcontrollers, servers, microprocessors, digital signal processors, or any other suitable circuit. In the claims, the term "processor" should be understood as encompassing any of the foregoing hardware, either singly or in combination. The terms "signal" and "data" are used interchangeably.

As used herein, the term module can include a packaged functional hardware unit designed for use with other components, a set of instructions executable by a controller (e.g., a processor executing software or firmware), processing circuitry configured to perform a particular function, and a self-contained hardware or software component that interfaces with a larger system. For example, a module can include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a circuit, digital logic circuit, an analog circuit, a combination of discrete circuits, gates, logic blocks, and other types of hardware or combination thereof. In other embodiments, a module can include memory that stores instructions executable by a controller to implement a feature of the module.

Claim 1:
A method for capturing integrated circuit,IC, (<NUM>) die temperature data, the method comprising:
responsive to an application (<NUM>) of power to the IC (<NUM>), self-initializing (<NUM>) the IC (<NUM>) by:
asserting (<NUM>) a reset signal for a reset period;
in response to an expiration of the reset period, deasserting (<NUM>) the reset signal; and
responsive to deasserting the reset signal, automatically:
obtaining (<NUM>) first temperature data from at least one thermal sensing device associated with a die of the IC (<NUM>); and
storing (<NUM>) the first temperature data in a storage component of the IC (<NUM>).