Specifications

57Sensors
Overview
Temperature sensing is critically
important for implementing three
key functions in industrial systems.
1. Temperature control, for example
in ovens, refrigeration, and
environmental-control systems,
depends on the measurement of
temperature to make heating/
cooling decisions.
2. Calibration of a variety of
transducers, oscillators, and other
components often varies with
temperature. Therefore, temperature
must be measured to ensure
the accuracy of sensitive system
components.
3. Protection of components and
systems from damaging temperature
excursions. Temperature sensing
determines the appropriate action
to take.
Thermistors, RTDs, thermocouples, and
ICs are some of today’s most widely used
temperature-sensing technologies. Each
design approach has its own strengths
(e.g., cost, accuracy, temperature
range) that make it appropriate for
specic applications. Each of these
technologies will be discussed.
In addition to the industry’s most
comprehensive line of dedicated
temperature-sensor ICs, Maxim
manufactures all the components
necessary to interface a system to
thermistors, RTDs, and thermocouples.
Temperature Sensing
EXCITATION
μC
SENSOR AND
NETWORK
AFE FILTER ADC DIGITAL DOMAIN
DAC
REF
TEMP
SENSORS
THERMISTOR
THERMOCOUPLE
PGA
IA
REFERENCE
LEVEL
TRANSLATOR
TOUCH
SCREEN
ISOLATION
ADC
OP AMPS
DIGITAL
POTENTIOMETERS
PRECISION
RESISTORS
V
RTD
= MAXIM SOLUTION
Block diagram of the signal chain in a temperature-sensing application. For a list of Maxim’s recommended temperature-sensor solutions, please go to: www.maxim-ic.com/-40+85.