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NCT210 Low Cost Microprocessor System Temperature Monitor Microcomputer
The NCT210 is a two-channel digital thermometer and under/overtemperature alarm, intended for use in personal computers and other systems requiring thermal monitoring and management. The device can measure the temperature of a microprocessor using a diode-connected PNP transistor, which can be provided on-chip with the processor, or can be a low cost discrete NPN/PNP device, such as the 2N3904/2N3906. A novel measurement technique cancels out the absolute value of the transistor’s base emitter voltage so that no calibration is required. The second measurement channel measures the output of an on-chip temperature sensor to monitor the temperature of the device and its environment.