Semiconductor Device and Method of Monitoring a Temperature Thereof

• Main Authors: Chen, Yi-Wen, Lien, Bei-Shing, Horng, Jaw-Juinn, Peng, Yung-Chow, Liu, Szu-Lin, Chang, Chin-Ho
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.02.2023
• Subjects: AMPLIFIERS; BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY; ELECTRICITY; PULSE TECHNIQUE

A semiconductor device includes a temperature-independent current generator that generates a reference current substantially independent of temperature and a mirror current that is a substantial duplicate of the reference current, a pulse signal generator that samples the mirror current so as to generate a pulse signal, and a counter that obtains a number of pulse signals generated by the pulse signal generator, that permits the pulse signal generator to generate a pulse signal when it is determined thereby that the number of pulse signals obtained thereby is less than a predetermined threshold value, and that inhibits the pulse signal generator from generating a pulse signal when it is determined thereby that the number of pulse signals obtained thereby is equal to the predetermined threshold value. A method for monitoring a temperature of the semiconductor device is also disclosed.