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Silicon Bandgap Temperature Sensor




:V_{BE}=V_{G0}(1-{T/T_0})+V_{BE0}(T/T_0)+(nKT/q)\ln(T_0/T)+(KT/q)\ln(IC/IC_0)
where
T

V

V

K

q

n

By comparing the bandgap voltages at two different currents, ''IC''1 and ''IC''2, many of the variables in the above equation can be eliminated, resulting in the relationship:
:\Delta V_{BE}=(KT/q)\ln(IC_1/IC_2)
An electronic circuit, such as the Brokaw Bandgap Reference , that measures Δ''V''''BE'' can therefore be used to calculate the temperature of the diode. The result remains valid up to about 200 °C to 250 °C, when leakage currents become large enough to corrupt the measurement. Above these temperatures, materials such as Silicon Carbide can be used instead of silicon.