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NTC thermistors versus voltage


output IC temp sensors
Tue, 04/02/2013 - 10:05am by Brian Gosselin, Jr., Texas
Instruments

Electronic engineers are finding


that thermometry is becoming DEEPER INSIGHTS
increasingly more popular in
modern applications. Two types of
commonly used temperature
sensing solutions are negative
temperature coefficient (NTC) Sensing Elements
thermistors and voltage output
for Current
integrated circuit (IC) temp
sensors. A thermistor is a resistor
Measurements
whose resistance varies with
temperature. In particular, NTC
thermistor’s resistance decreases
as temperature increases. Voltage output IC temp sensors are
silicon temperature sensors that output an analog voltage that
is proportional to temperature.

There are a few advantages for using an NTC thermistor over a


voltage output IC temp sensor. A key advantage is that there
are many more package options available. This includes
packages smaller than those available for voltage output IC
temp sensors. Oftentimes, this translates to faster response
times as response time is highly dependent on the package
size. An advantage when interfacing an NTC thermistor with an
analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is ratiometric configuration,
resulting in the canceling of the ADC reference error.
Additionally, NTC thermistors appear to be cheaper than
voltage output IC temp sensors. However, additional
components often are necessary when using NTC thermistors
and must be considered in the cost of the overall temperature
sensing solution. For a higher price, engineers can get NTC
thermistors with a wider temperature range than voltage
output IC temp sensors.

Alternatively, there are advantages for using a voltage output


IC temp sensor over an NTC thermistor. One advantage is that
voltage output IC temp sensors tend to be easier to use as
they have a user friendly virtual linear output. Alternatively,
NTC thermistor’s resistance vs. temperature characteristic is
exponential. Figure 1 shows the output voltage vs.
temperature of three voltage divider NTC thermistor networks
and Texas Instrument’s LMT87 voltage output IC temp sensor.
The NTC thermistor’s change in voltage per °C is not constant
across the temperature range, while the voltage output IC
temp sensor’s change in voltage per °C is virtually constant.
When interfaced with an ADC, voltage output IC temp sensors
tend to be more accurate across the device’s entire
temperature range. This is because the resolution of the ADC
is enough to detect a change in voltage for the voltage output
IC temp sensor, but not always for the NTC thermistor.
However, thermistors can be combined with complex resistive
networks to help linearize the curve over a limited temperature
range. Note that the resistive networks used with NTC
thermistors increase the complexity, cost, and footprint of the
overall temperature sensing solution.

Figure 1. Output voltage (V) versus temperature (°C)

Another advantage for using a voltage output IC temp sensor


is that they dissipate much less power due to having a fairly
constant low supply current. NTC thermistors, on the other
hand, have a supply current that varies greatly over
temperature. Figure 2 illustrates this advantage by showing
the typical supply current versus the device temperature of
three voltage divider thermistor networks and Texas
Instrument’s LMT8X series of voltage output IC temp sensors.
As temperature increases, the NTC thermistor’s resistance
decreases. As seen in Figure 2, this causes the current through
the voltage divider network to increase. When the current is
high, NTC thermistors can self-heat above the ambient
temperature of the environment resulting in temperature
errors.

Figure 2. Supply current (µA) versus device temperature (°C)

One last thing to consider when deciding to use an NTC


thermistor or voltage output IC temp sensor is output
impedance. Voltage output IC temp sensors have fairly
constantly low output impedance, while NTC thermistors
output impedance is generally higher and varies over
temperature. When using an ADC with an NTC thermistor, care
must be taken to ensure that the ADC can handle the NTC
thermistor’s source impedance. In some cases, a buffer may
be required.

Summary
Technology is constantly evolving and engineers are finding
that the need for temperature sensing is becoming more
common. NTC thermistors and voltage output IC temp sensors
are both useful temperature sensing solutions. But in the end,
the suitable temperature sensing solution is dependent on the
output metrics and requirements of individual applications.

References
Download the LMT87 datasheet: www.ti.com/lmt87-ca.
For more information, visit: www.ti.com/tempsensors-ca.

About the author


Brian Gosselin is an applications engineer for Texas
Instrument’s Integrated Signal Chain Product Line where he is
responsible for system analysis, system design, PCB design,
PCB layout design, test / debug, technical trainings, technical
writing, technical research, and customer support. Brian
received his BSEE from the University of Massachusetts,
Amherst. Brian can be reached at ti_briangosselin@list.ti.com.

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