Devices for controlling temperature indications in integrated circuits using adjustable threshold temperatures

Abstract

A temperature condition indicator in a fabricated integrated circuit provides first and second voltage signals that vary with the temperature of the fabricated integrated circuit. The first voltage signal increases as the temperature of the fabricated integrated circuit increases and decreases as the temperature of the fabricated integrated circuit decreases. The second voltage signal decreases as the temperature of the fabricated integrated circuit increases and increases as the temperature of the fabricated integrated circuit decreases. The first and second voltage signals are about equal (or intersect) when the temperature of the fabricated integrated circuit is about equal to a first temperature. The first temperature is selected to correspond to a temperature out of range condition. The intersection of the first and second voltage signals may thereby indicate a threshold temperature for the operation of the fabricated integrated circuit. If a first temperature out of range condition occurs at about T degrees, the first and second voltage signals are controlled so that the intersection of the first and second voltage signals is about equal to a voltage level that corresponds to about the threshold temperature. The levels of the first and second voltage signals can be shifted to adjust the intersection of the first and second voltage signals so that the threshold temperature can be adjusted.