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A method and apparatus that uses the difference between two nodal voltages, such as a temperature-independent voltage and a temperature-dependent voltage, to determine the actual temperature at a point on an integrated circuit is provided. Further, a method and apparatus that converts a difference b

A method and apparatus that uses the difference between two nodal voltages, such as a temperature-independent voltage and a temperature-dependent voltage, to determine the actual temperature at a point on an integrated circuit is provided. Further, a method and apparatus that converts a difference between nodal voltages in an integrated circuit from an analog to a digital quantity on the integrated circuit such that the difference in voltage may be used by an on-chip digital system is provided. Further, a method and apparatus for quantifying a difference in voltage between a first node and a second node of a temperature sensor is provided.

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1. An apparatus for quantifying a difference in voltage between a first node and a second node, comprising:a voltage generator arranged to concurrently generate a temperature-independent voltage on the first node and a temperature-dependent voltage on the second node;a first oscillator that inputs t

1. An apparatus for quantifying a difference in voltage between a first node and a second node, comprising:a voltage generator arranged to concurrently generate a temperature-independent voltage on the first node and a temperature-dependent voltage on the second node;a first oscillator that inputs the temperature-independent voltage, wherein the first oscillator generates a first oscillating frequency based on the temperature-independent voltage;a second oscillator that inputs the temperature-dependent voltage, wherein the second oscillator generates a second oscillating frequency based on the temperature-dependent voltage; anda comparator that counts a first number of pulses of the first oscillating frequency during a fixed time interval, counts a second number of pulses of the second oscillating frequency during the fixed time interval, determines a difference between the first number and the second number, and generates a digital word dependent on the difference, wherein a value of the digital word is proportional to the voltage difference between the first node and the second node. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first oscillating frequency oscillates at a higher frequency than the second oscillating frequency. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second oscillating frequency is dependent on a temperature in the voltage generator. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first oscillating frequency is substantially independent of the temperature in the voltage generator. 5. An apparatus for quantifying a difference in voltage between a first node and a second node, comprising:a voltage generator for concurrently generating a first nodal voltage on the first node and a second nodal voltage on the second node;means for generating a first oscillating frequency based on the first nodal voltage;means for generating a second oscillating frequency based on the second nodal voltage;means for counting a first number of pulses of the first oscillating frequency during a fixed time interval;means for counting a second number of pulses of the second oscillating frequency during the fixed time interval;means for determining a difference between the first number and the second number; andmeans for generating a digital word dependent on the difference, wherein a value of the digital word is proportional to the voltage difference between the first node and the second node. 6. A method for quantifying a difference in voltage between a first node and a second node, comprising:concurrently generating with a voltage generator a first nodal voltage on the first node and a second nodal voltage on the second nodegenerating a first oscillating frequency based on the first nodal voltage, wherein the first oscillating frequency is generated with a first oscillator;generating a second oscillating frequency based on the second nodal voltage, wherein the second oscillating frequency is generated with a second oscillator;counting a first number of pulses of the first oscillating frequency during a fixed time interval;counting a second number of pulses of the second oscillating frequency during the fixed time interval;determining a difference between the first number and the second number; andgenerating a digital word dependent on the difference, wherein a value of the digital word is proportional to the voltage difference between the first node and the second node.