An integrated absolute temperature sensor with digital output

A smart temperature sensor is described which provides a pulse rate output and is highly suitable for communication with microprocessors. The temperature sensor generates an absolute-temperature current as well as a temperature-independent reference current. The fully synchronized output signal offers important advantages over asynchronous signals, such as frequency or duty cycle, which are often used. A high digital interference rejection is one of the main consequences of synchronization. Hence the described smart temperature sensor is highly compatible with advanced on-chip digital processing or a digital bus system. The sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter is appropriate for both general and specific smart sensor purposes because of its excellent integration compatibility and digital interference rejection.<>