The temperature sensor chosen for this design is an industry-standard LM35 temperature sensor, available from
many sources. This temperature sensor generates an output voltage proportional to the ambient temperature in
degree Celsius and exhibits a scale factor of +10mV/ºC. This particular temperature sensor provides a linear
output response with a maximum output voltage of 1500mV corresponding to a 150ºC ambient temperature.
However, given that the hottest temperature achieved on earth is approximately 60ºC, this design will focus on
temperatures up to this ambient level. The transfer curve for the sensor is shown in Figure 2. In addition, a
Si9942DY N-channel MOSFET was used to switch an AP121P 5V/200mA fan ON and OFF.
Figure 2. LM35 Temperature Sensor Transfer Curve
The TS6001 voltage reference provides a 2.5V power supply for the TS1001 op-amp. The TS9001-1 comparator,
TS6001 voltage reference, LM35 temperature sensor, and the fan are powered with a common 5V power supply,
supplied by the USB connector. In this particular design, the TS1001 op-amp is configured in a non-inverting
scheme where the output of the temperature sensor is connected to the non-inverting input of the op-amp. When
the temperature rises to 26.4ºC, the LM35 sensor output is 264mV and is connected to to the non-inverting input of
the TS1001. With a gain of 4.75, the TS1001 generates a 1.254V output voltage. The output of the TS1001 is
connected to the non-inverting input of the TS9001-1 that then switches to a HIGH state at its output, turns on the
MOSFET which, in turn, turns on the fan.
2
Rev. 1.0
AN835
2.2. Discussion and Results
In order to design this circuit, here’s the step-by-step procedure:
1. Choose the ambient trip temperature to sense T in degree Celsius.
2. Compute the LM35’s output voltage, V
OUT
, based on (1) as:
V
OUT
=
TC
10mV /
C
Equation 1.
3. Calculate the gain, G, necessary to achieve a 1.252V voltage on the output of the TS1001 based on (2) as:
G
=
1.252 V / V
OUT
Equation 2.
4. Calculate the feedback total resistance:
R
T
=
R4
+
R5
Equation 3.
5. Solve for R4 and R5 by taking into account the non-inverting gain equation of the op-amp, Equation 3, and
the value of G from Step (3). The non-inverting equation is:
G
=
1
+
R5 / R4
Equation 4.
When the fan is energized, total current consumption of the circuit from the USB-supplied 5V is 200.14 mA. The
TS9001-1, TS6001, and the TS1001 altogether consume only 0.02% of the total power consumption. To further
minimize the current consumption, the feedback resistor values of the TS1001 can be increased. For instance, if
the feedback resistance is doubled, the current on the feedback is halved. This results in a reduction of supply
current by 2.5 µA. In this particular case, with a total resistance of 248.3 k and an output voltage of 1.254 V on the
output of the TS1001, the current on the feedback is 5 µA. At a maximum output voltage of 2.5 V, the current is
10.1 µA.
In this circuit, the input-referred hysteresis of the TS9001-1 is 3mV; hence, the rising threshold or VTHR is at
1.254V, which corresponds to a 26.4ºC temperature. The falling threshold or VTHF is at 1.251V, which corresponds
to a 26.3 ºC temperature. However, if one wishes to turn off the fan at a lower temperature relative to its turn off
temperature, additional hysteresis can be added to the comparator. Please refer to the Applications Information
section of the TS9001-1 product datasheet for a detailed explanation on how to increase comparator hysteresis.
The MOSFET selected should be able to handle the fan maximum current specification. Since the output of the
TS9001-1 switches to a full-scale 5V, the MOSFET does not need to be an ultra-low threshold voltage type.
In order to maintain an accurate gain G and accurate trip points or VTHR and VTHF, metal-film resistors with 1%
tolerance were used in the circuit and are recommended.
3. Conclusion
The combination of these three low-supply precision analog IC’s produces a USB-powered thermostat/fan
controller with < 0.8 ºC error. In summary, the TS9001, the TS1001, and the TS6001-2.5 are excellent choices for
this application as well as other temperature sensing applications. For additional information, see documentation
on the TS1001 Op Amp, TS6001 Voltage Reference, and TS9001 Analog Comparator + Reference, or contact
Silicon Labs.
Rev. 1.0
3
Smart.
Connected.
Energy-Friendly
Products
www.silabs.com/products
Quality
www.silabs.com/quality
Support and Community
community.silabs.com
Disclaimer
Silicon Laboratories intends to provide customers with the latest, accurate, and in-depth documentation of all peripherals and modules available for system and software implementers
using or intending to use the Silicon Laboratories products. Characterization data, available modules and peripherals, memory sizes and memory addresses refer to each specific
device, and "Typical" parameters provided can and do vary in different applications. Application examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Silicon Laboratories
reserves the right to make changes without further notice and limitation to product information, specifications, and descriptions herein, and does not give warranties as to the accuracy
or completeness of the included information. Silicon Laboratories shall have no liability for the consequences of use of the information supplied herein. This document does not imply
or express copyright licenses granted hereunder to design or fabricate any integrated circuits. The products must not be used within any Life Support System without the specific
written consent of Silicon Laboratories. A "Life Support System" is any product or system intended to support or sustain life and/or health, which, if it fails, can be reasonably expected
to result in significant personal injury or death. Silicon Laboratories products are generally not intended for military applications. Silicon Laboratories products shall under no
circumstances be used in weapons of mass destruction including (but not limited to) nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, or missiles capable of delivering such weapons.
Trademark Information
Silicon Laboratories Inc., Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, SiLabs and the Silicon Labs logo, CMEMS®, EFM, EFM32, EFR, Energy Micro, Energy Micro logo and combinations
thereof, "the world’s most energy friendly microcontrollers", Ember®, EZLink®, EZMac®, EZRadio®, EZRadioPRO®, DSPLL®, ISOmodem ®, Precision32®, ProSLIC®, SiPHY®,
USBXpress® and others are trademarks or registered trademarks of Silicon Laboratories Inc. ARM, CORTEX, Cortex-M3 and THUMB are trademarks or registered trademarks of
ARM Holdings. Keil is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. All other products or brand names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.