Maker Pro
Maker Pro

Diode - Temperature

Yes it can. A common method is to use a transistors base emitter diode. Simply pass a constant current through the transistor configured as a transdiode. Have another reference like a potential divider also with a constant current passing through it. Connect this to a comparator and calibrate for use. As the temperature changes the transdiode voltage will change and this can be sensed by the comparator.
Thanks
Adam
 
The junction voltage of a diode changes by about -2mV per deg C rise, but if you want to experiment you can use the base-emitter junction of a transistor in an 'amplified-diode' configuration as shown in the attachment, to give a greater change.
AmplifiedDiode.PNG
This behaves like a diode with a 0.6V junction voltage multiplied by approximately (1 + R1/R2), and a correspondingly multiplied change with temperature.
 
The junction voltage of a diode changes by about -2mV per deg C rise, but if you want to experiment you can use the base-emitter junction of a transistor in an 'amplified-diode' configuration as shown in the attachment, to give a greater change.
View attachment 22308
This behaves like a diode with a 0.6V junction voltage multiplied by approximately (1 + R1/R2), and a correspondingly multiplied change with temperature.

The BE junction of a transistor changes by the same amount. They are all PN junctions.
Thanks
 
Check with Linear Technology, Maxim, Analog Devices. Somebody out there has a chip that uses a diode as a temperature sensor and turns it into either a thermometer or a thermostat.

ak
 
Top