Inductor device and I / Q circuit or integrated circuit including the same

Abstract

An inductor device and an I / Q circuit or an integrated circuit including the same are disclosed. The inductor device includes: a first pair of drive inductors configured to be driven to generate substantially out-of-phase magnetic fields and arranged relative to each other such that their magnetic fields substantially cancel each other at a first zero line between these inductors; and a second pair of drive inductors configured to generate substantially out-of-phase magnetic fields and arranged relative to each other such that their magnetic fields substantially cancel each other at a second zero line between these inductors, wherein each pair of drive inductors is arranged relative to each other such that the first zero line intersects the second zero line, wherein the first pair of drive inductors is substantially located on the second zero line, and the second pair of inductors is substantially located on the first zero line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inductor device. Such an inductor device can be implemented in an integrated circuit (e.g., on an IC chip). The inductor in such an inductor device generates a fluctuating magnetic field when driven by a suitable drive signal, and this magnetic field can magnetically couple to affect other circuits, including other inductors of the inductor device. Background Art

[0002] As the speed of circuits in which such inductor devices can be implemented increases and the corresponding miniaturization of semiconductor devices occurs, the pressure to operate such circuits precisely is constantly increasing. This includes solving the problem of unnecessary magnetic coupling. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inductor device, comprising: a first pair of drive inductors configured to be driven to generate substantially out-of-phase magnetic fields and arranged relative to each other such that their magnetic fields substantially cancel each other out at a first zero line between these inductors; and a second pair of drive inductors configured to generate substantially out-of-phase magnetic fields and arranged relative to each other such that their magnetic fields substantially cancel each other out at a second zero line between these inductors, wherein each pair of drive inductors is arranged relative to each other such that the first zero line intersects the second zero line, wherein the first pair of drive inductors is substantially located on the second zero line, and the second pair of drive inductors is substantially located on the first zero line.

[0004] This inductor device enables reduction or elimination of magnetic coupling between the first pair of drive inductors and the second pair of drive inductors.

[0005] The drive inductors are driven (e.g., by connection to a drive circuit) in the sense that the drive inductors are configured to be driven by a drive signal such as a drive voltage signal or current (e.g., an AC drive current).

[0006] The first pair of drive inductors can be connected together to be driven by the same first drive signal. The second pair of drive inductors can be connected together to be driven by the same second drive signal. The phase difference between the first drive signal and the second drive signal can be substantially 90 degrees or 270 degrees.

[0007] The first pair of drive inductors and the second pair of drive inductors can be configured to be driven such that a first magnetic flux and a third magnetic flux respectively generated by the inductors of the first pair are equal (and opposite) to each other, and such that a second magnetic flux and a fourth magnetic flux respectively generated by the inductors of the second pair are equal (and opposite) to each other (such that the first zero line and the second zero line are straight).

[0008] The first pair of drive inductors can be configured such that the first neutral line is straight. The second pair of drive inductors can be configured such that the second neutral line is straight.

[0009] The drive inductors of the first pair and the drive inductors of the second pair can each have one or more turns. The drive inductors of the first pair and the drive inductors of the second pair can be spiral inductors. The drive inductors of the first pair can have the same size and number of turns as each other. The drive inductors of the second pair can have the same size and number of turns as each other.

[0010] The direction of the turns of the drive inductors can be configured such that they generate their respective magnetic fields. The drive inductors of the first pair can be connected together such that these drive inductors generate their respective magnetic fields, and the drive inductors of the second pair can be connected together such that these drive inductors generate their respective magnetic fields.

[0011] In the device, the positions of the drive inductors of the first pair and the drive inductors of the second pair can define four corners of a rhombus, and the drive inductors of the first pair are opposite to each other.

[0012] The drive inductors of the first pair and the drive inductors of the second pair can be differential inductors. The drive inductors can have center taps at the center tap nodes. The center tap nodes of the drive inductors of the first pair can be symmetrically arranged relative to each other with respect to the first neutral line, and the center tap nodes of the drive inductors of the second pair can be symmetrically arranged relative to each other with respect to the second neutral line.

[0013] The center tap nodes of the first pair of drive inductors can be substantially located on the second neutral line, and the center tap nodes of the second pair of drive inductors can be substantially located on the first neutral line.

[0014] The center tap nodes of the drive inductors of the first pair can be connected together, and the center tap nodes of the drive inductors of the second pair can be connected together.

[0015] The drive inductors can have positive terminals and negative terminals. The positive terminals of the drive inductors of the first pair can be connected together, and the negative terminals of the drive inductors of the first pair can be connected together. The positive terminals of the drive inductors of the second pair can be connected together, and the negative terminals of the drive inductors of the second pair can be connected together.

[0016] The positive terminals of the drive inductors of the first pair can be on the same side of the second neutral line as each other, and the negative terminals of the drive inductors of the first pair can be on the same side of the second neutral line as each other. The positive terminals of the drive inductors of the second pair can be on the same side of the first neutral line as each other, and the negative terminals of the drive inductors of the second pair can be on the same side of the first neutral line as each other.

[0017] The positive and negative terminals of each drive inductor of the first pair can be located on opposite sides of the second neutral line from each other. The positive and negative terminals of each drive inductor of the second pair can be located on opposite sides of the first neutral line from each other.

[0018] The respective phases of the magnetic fields generated by the drive inductors of the first pair and the second pair of inductors can be substantially orthogonal.

[0019] The first pair of drive inductors can be connected together to be driven by the same first drive signal. The second pair of drive inductors can be connected together to be driven by the same second drive signal.

[0020] The drive inductors of the first pair can be configured to be driven to generate magnetic fields having a first phase and a third phase respectively, and the drive inductors of the second pair can be configured to be driven to generate magnetic fields having a second phase and a fourth phase respectively, and the first phase to the fourth phase can be substantially orthogonal.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inductor device including: a first pair of drive inductors connected together to be driven by the same first drive signal, configured to generate substantially out-of-phase magnetic fields relative to each other, and arranged relative to each other such that their magnetic fields substantially cancel each other out at a first neutral line between these inductors; and a second pair of drive inductors connected together to be driven by the same second drive signal, configured to generate substantially out-of-phase magnetic fields relative to each other, and arranged relative to each other such that their magnetic fields substantially cancel each other out at a second neutral line between these inductors, wherein the pairs of drive inductors are arranged relative to each other such that the first neutral line intersects the second neutral line, wherein the first pair of drive inductors is substantially located on the second neutral line, and the second pair of drive inductors is substantially located on the first neutral line.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inductor device including: a drive inductor configured to be driven by a drive current to generate a drive magnetic field; an auxiliary loop which is a closed (or looped) AC current path and / or DC current path; and a target circuit, wherein the auxiliary loop is located between the drive inductor and the target circuit.

[0023] This inductor device enables reduction or elimination of magnetic coupling from the drive inductor to the target circuit.

[0024] The auxiliary loop can be implemented as an inductor.

[0025] The auxiliary loop can be configured such that an AC current induced therein will (completely) circulate around the loop.

[0026] The auxiliary loop can be equidistant between the drive inductor and the target circuit. The drive inductor, the auxiliary loop, and the target circuit can be at corresponding positions on a straight line.

[0027] The auxiliary loop can be a single-turn loop or a multi-turn loop. The auxiliary loop can be formed by elongate conductors connected together at their ends. The auxiliary loop can include at least one elongate conductor and at least one capacitor connected in series to form a loop. One or more capacitors can be implemented as an interruption or gap between the ends of one or more conductors. The number and / or size of the interruption / gap can be configured to control the strength of the auxiliary magnetic field or each auxiliary magnetic field.

[0028] The auxiliary loop can be non-electrically driven. The auxiliary loop can not be electrically driven by an AC electrical signal. The auxiliary loop can be configured to be electrically connected to a DC voltage source (the electrical connection can be a conductive connection).

[0029] The drive inductor, the auxiliary loop, and the target circuit can be placed relative to each other such that: a current is induced in the auxiliary loop by the drive magnetic field, and the induced current causes the auxiliary loop to generate an auxiliary magnetic field having a polarity (or opposite phase) opposite to that of the drive magnetic field; and the auxiliary magnetic field cancels the drive magnetic field at the target circuit to reduce the magnetic coupling from the drive inductor to the target circuit.

[0030] The drive inductor can be a first drive inductor, the drive current can be a first drive current, the drive magnetic field can be a first drive magnetic field, and the target circuit can be a second drive inductor configured to be driven by a second drive current to generate a second drive magnetic field.

[0031] The inductor device enables reduction or elimination of the magnetic coupling between the first drive inductor and the second drive inductor.

[0032] The first drive current and the second drive current can have AC components having first and second different phases respectively. The first phase and the second phase may not be in antiphase. The phase difference between the first phase and the second phase can be substantially 90 degrees or 270 degrees.

[0033] The first drive inductor and the second drive inductor can have the same size and number of turns as each other. The first drive inductor and the second drive inductor can be spiral inductors.

[0034] The first driving inductor, the auxiliary loop, and the second driving inductor can be placed relative to each other such that: a current is induced in the auxiliary loop by the second driving magnetic field, and the induced current causes the auxiliary loop to generate a second auxiliary magnetic field having a polarity (or opposite phase) opposite to that of the second driving magnetic field; and the second auxiliary magnetic field cancels the interference with the second driving magnetic field at the first driving inductor to reduce the magnetic coupling from the second driving inductor to the first driving inductor.

[0035] The driving inductor or each driving inductor and / or the auxiliary loop can be implemented in one or more parallel planes. The driving inductor or each driving inductor and / or the auxiliary loop can be planar components.

[0036] The driving inductor or each driving inductor and the auxiliary loop can be components respectively including one or more complete or partial turns that define the cores of these components. The core of the driving inductor or at least one driving inductor of the driving inductor and the core of the auxiliary loop can be substantially parallel.

[0037] The driving inductor or each driving inductor or one of the driving inductors can be a differential inductor.

[0038] The direction of the turns of the driving inductor or each driving inductor can be configured such that it generates its magnetic field. The driving current or each driving current can be configured such that the corresponding driving inductor generates its magnetic field.

[0039] The inductor device can be implemented in an integrated circuit having one or more layers, and the driving inductor or each driving inductor and the auxiliary loop can each be formed in only one of the layers or across multiple layers.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention, an inductor device is provided, including: a first driving inductor configured to be driven by a first driving current to generate a first driving magnetic field; an auxiliary loop that is a closed (or loop-shaped) AC current path and / or DC current path; and a second driving inductor configured to be driven by a second driving current to generate a second driving magnetic field, wherein the auxiliary loop is located between the first driving inductor and the second driving inductor.

[0041] The inductor device enables reducing or eliminating the magnetic coupling between the first driving inductor and the second driving inductor.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the fifth aspect of the present invention, an inductor device is provided, including: a driving inductor configured to be driven by a driving current to generate a driving magnetic field; an auxiliary circuit; and a target circuit, wherein the driving inductor, the auxiliary circuit, and the target circuit are placed relative to each other such that: a current is induced in the auxiliary circuit by the driving magnetic field, and the induced current causes the auxiliary circuit to generate an auxiliary magnetic field having a polarity (or opposite phase) opposite to that of the driving magnetic field; and the auxiliary magnetic field undergoes destructive interference with the driving magnetic field at the target circuit to reduce the magnetic coupling from the driving inductor to the target circuit.

[0043] The inductor device enables reduction or elimination of the magnetic coupling from the driving inductor to the target circuit.

[0044] The driving inductor may be a first driving inductor, the driving current may be a first driving current, the driving magnetic field may be a first driving magnetic field, the auxiliary magnetic field may be a first auxiliary magnetic field, and the target circuit may be a second driving inductor configured to be driven by a second driving current to generate a second driving magnetic field.

[0045] The inductor device enables reduction or elimination of the magnetic coupling between the first driving inductor and the second driving inductor.

[0046] The first driving inductor, the auxiliary circuit, and the second driving inductor may be placed relative to each other such that: a current is induced in the auxiliary circuit by the second driving magnetic field, and the induced current causes the auxiliary circuit to generate a second auxiliary magnetic field having a polarity opposite to that of the second driving magnetic field; and the second auxiliary magnetic field undergoes destructive interference with the second driving magnetic field at the first driving inductor to reduce the magnetic coupling from the second driving inductor to the first driving inductor.

[0047] The first driving current and the second driving current may have AC components having a first different phase and a second different phase respectively. The first phase and the second phase may not be in antiphase. The phase difference between the first phase and the second phase may be substantially 90 degrees or 270 degrees.

[0048] The inductor device may include a driving circuit configured to drive each driving inductor.

[0049] The inductor device may be implemented in an integrated circuit having one or more layers, and each of the inductors may be formed in only one of the layers or across multiple layers.

[0050] The magnetic field may be a fluctuating magnetic field or an alternating magnetic field.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the sixth aspect of the present invention, an oscillator circuit is provided, for example, a voltage-controlled oscillator circuit including the inductor device according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the seventh aspect of the present invention, an I / Q circuit is provided, for example, an I / Q clock buffer circuit or an I / Q voltage controlled oscillator circuit, and the I / Q circuit includes an inductor device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the eighth aspect of the present invention, an integrated circuit is provided, for example, an IC chip including an inductor device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects or a circuit according to the sixth or seventh aspect.

[0054] Any feature in the above aspects can be applied to any other of the above aspects. Description of the Drawings

[0055] Now, by way of example, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an inductor device that helps to understand the present invention;

[0057] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an inductor device that helps to understand the present invention;

[0058] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an inductor device that helps to understand the present invention;

[0059] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an inductor device that helps to understand the present invention;

[0060] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a first exemplary inductor device;

[0061] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the first exemplary inductor device;

[0062] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the first exemplary inductor device;

[0063] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a second exemplary inductor device;

[0064] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the second exemplary inductor device;

[0065] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the second exemplary inductor device;

[0066] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit or a clock buffer circuit;

[0067] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of an integrated circuit; and

[0068] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of an IQ oscillator circuit. Detailed implementation

[0069] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an inductor device 100 as a comparative example. The inductor device 100 includes a first inductor 110 and a second inductor 120. The inductors 110 and 120 can be part of or even the whole of a transformer, and the following description also applies in this case.

[0070] For example, the inductors 110 and 120 are driven in use by drive signals provided by other circuits (not shown). These drive signals cause current to flow in the inductors, which generates magnetic fields in and around the inductors 110 and 120. In other words, when driven, the inductors 110 and 120 generate their respective magnetic fields. The inductors 110 and 120 are placed very close to each other such that their magnetic fields interact with each other, which will be explained more fully below.

[0071] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the inductor device 100 and shows (in a simplified schematic form) the magnetic field lines of the magnetic fields generated by the inductors 110 and 120 given corresponding drive signals. The dashed lines indicate the magnetic field generated by the first inductor 110. The solid lines indicate the magnetic field generated by the second inductor 120. The magnetic field lines can be referred to as magnetic flux lines. The magnetic flux lines are represented as closed loops around the inductors 110 and 120 or the conductors.

[0072] Due to the very close proximity of the inductors 110 and 120, as shown, relatively strong magnetic field lines from the first inductor 110 reach the second inductor 120 (and couple with the second inductor 120). That is, the magnetic field generated by the first inductor 110 exists at the location of the second inductor 120. As a result, the magnetic field generated by the first inductor 110 generates a back - EMF in the second inductor 120. The generated back - EMF interferes with the current flowing through the second inductor 120 (and can affect the drive signal driving the second inductor 120).

[0073] Similarly, as shown, relatively strong magnetic field lines from the second inductor 120 reach the first inductor 110 (and couple with the first inductor 110). That is, the magnetic field generated by the second inductor 120 exists at the location of the first inductor 110 and generates a back - EMF in the first inductor 110, which interferes with the current flowing through the first inductor 110 (and can affect the drive signal driving the first inductor 110).

[0074] The interference of the magnetic field generated by one of the inductors 110 and 120 with the current flowing through the other inductors 110 and 120 can be referred to as magnetic coupling, and results in many unwanted effects, including frequency pulling, perturbation, distortion, and phase pulling. For example, the inductors 110 and 120 can be driven by respective out-of-phase (e.g., 90 degrees or 270 degrees out of phase) drive signals (which cause corresponding currents). In this case, magnetic coupling may cause the phase of the magnetic fields generated by the inductors 110 and 120 (which can be simply referred to as the phase of the inductors 110 and 120) to reach or approach an undesired phase.

[0075] The inductors 110 and 120 can be driven by a voltage signal having an AC component, which causes an AC current (or a current having an AC component) to flow through the inductors, such that each of the inductors 110 and 120 generates an alternating magnetic field or a fluctuating magnetic field.

[0076] For example, the inductors 110 and 120 can be driven by a set of orthogonal voltage signals, which, for convenience, are referred to as I, / I, Q, and / Q, where these orthogonal voltage signals have respective (relative) phases of 0 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, and 270 degrees. In this example, the I signal and the / I signal can be applied to respective terminals of the inductor 110, and the Q signal and the / Q signal can be applied to respective terminals of the inductor 120. For example, the inductors 110 and 120 can have center taps, although not shown.

[0077] In this example, the resultant currents flowing in the inductors 110 and 120 can be 90 degrees or 270 degrees out of phase, and the resultant magnetic fields generated by the inductors 110 and 120 can also be 90 degrees or 270 degrees out of phase. Such a device can be referred to as an I / Q device.

[0078] In this case, when the inductors 110 and 120 are implemented in an I / Q voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), an example of which is shown in the Figure 13 described subsequently, the orthogonal phase relationship in the I / Q VCO can be disrupted due to magnetic coupling. That is, the phase of the magnetic field may deviate from its ideal value, and in extreme cases, both the I core and the Q core can end up with the same phase relationship or an anti-phase relationship rather than a 90-degree or 270-degree phase difference. That is, for example, due to magnetic coupling, the phase of the magnetic field generated by the first inductor 110 can become the same as the phase of the magnetic field generated by the second inductor 120.

[0079] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another inductor device 200 as a comparative example. Figure 3Only the inductor device 200 is shown, but Figure 4 magnetic field lines are additionally shown. The inductor device 200 includes a first inductor 210 and a second inductor 220. Figure 1 and Figure 2 the above description regarding the inductor device 100 similarly applies to Figure 3 and Figure 4 the inductor device 200 shown. The difference between the inductors of the inductor device 200 compared to the inductors of the inductor device 100 is that the inductors of the inductor device 200 are shown as having multiple turns (three turns in the case of this example).

[0080] Compared to Figure 4 , Figure 3 it also includes a schematic representation (in box form) of an oscillator core circuit connected to the two inductors, for example to form an I / Q voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) such as Figure 13 in.

[0081] The inductors 110, 120, 210, and 220 can be differential inductors or non-differential inductors, and the above description applies equally in both cases.

[0082] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first exemplary inductor device 300 embodying the present invention.

[0083] The inductor device 300 includes a first inductor to a fourth inductor 310, 320, 330, and 340. The first inductor 310 and the third inductor 330 can be referred to as a first pair of inductors, and the second inductor 320 and the fourth inductor 340 can be referred to as a second pair of inductors. In this example, the inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are differential inductors. The first inductor to the fourth inductor 310, 320, 330, and 340 have center taps at a first center tap node to a fourth center tap node 313, 323, 333, and 343 respectively. The first inductor to the fourth inductor 310, 320, 330, and 340 have respective first positive nodes to fourth positive nodes 311, 321, 331, and 341 (positive terminals) and respective first negative nodes to fourth negative nodes 312, 322, 332, and 342 (negative terminals).

[0084] The first center tap node 313 and the third center tap node 333 are connected together (which is indicated by the label "TAP1" in Figure 5 ), and the second center tap node 323 and the fourth center tap node 343 are connected together (which is indicated by the label "TAP2" in Figure 5 ).

[0085] The first positive node 311 and the third positive node 331 are connected together (which isFigure 5 the label "P1" in Figure 5 indicates), and the second positive node 321 and the fourth positive node 341 are connected together (as indicated by Figure 5 the label "P2" in Figure 5 indicates). The first negative node 312 and the third negative node 332 are connected together (as indicated by Figure 5 the label "N1" in Figure 5 indicates), and the second negative node 322 and the fourth negative node 342 are connected together (as indicated by Figure 5 the label "N2" in Figure 5 indicates).

[0086] Similar to the above example with reference to the inductor device 100, the inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 can be driven by a set of orthogonal voltage signals which, for convenience, are referred to as I, / I, Q, and / Q, where these orthogonal voltage signals have respective (relative) phases of 0 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, and 270 degrees. In this example, for instance, the I signal and the / I signal can be applied to the respective terminals P1 and N1, and the Q signal and the / Q signal can be applied to the respective terminals P2 and N2.

[0087] In this example, similar to before, the resultant current flowing in the inductors 310 and 330 can be 90 degrees or 270 degrees out of phase with the resultant current flowing in the inductors 320 and 340, where the resultant magnetic fields generated by the inductors 310 and 330 are substantially out of phase, the resultant magnetic fields generated by the inductors 320 and 340 are substantially out of phase, and the resultant magnetic field generated by the inductors 310 and 330 is 90 degrees or 270 degrees out of phase with the resultant magnetic field generated by the inductors 320 and 340. Such a device can also be referred to as an I / Q device.

[0088] The I signal, the / I signal, the Q signal, and the / Q signal can be referred to as drive voltage signals or drive signals. The resultant current driving the inductors can be referred to as drive current or also as a drive signal. The inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 can be referred to as drive inductors because they are configured to be driven to generate their respective magnetic fields.

[0089] The above operations can be better understood as follows.

[0090] Due to the center taps of the inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 and the connections of the positive and negative nodes, the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are driven by the same current or drive signal (e.g., a first drive signal which can be considered as applied to the combination of I and / I), and the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 are driven by the same current or drive signal (e.g., a second drive signal which can be considered as applied to the combination of Q and / Q).

[0091] Due to the connection between the center taps, positive nodes, and negative nodes of inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340, and due to the direction of the windings or conductors of the inductors, the magnetic field generated by the first inductor 310 has a phase that is opposite or in antiphase to the phase of the magnetic field generated by the third inductor 330 at any given moment (and the magnetic fields have opposite polarities), and the magnetic field generated by the second inductor 320 has a phase that is opposite or in antiphase to the phase of the magnetic field generated by the fourth inductor 340 at any given moment (and the magnetic fields have opposite polarities).

[0092] Also due to the connection between the center taps, positive nodes, and negative nodes of inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340, and due to the size and number of turns of the inductors, the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the first inductor 310 at the symmetry line between the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 is equal to the magnetic field generated by the third inductor 330, and the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the second inductor 320 at the symmetry line between the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 is equal to the magnetic field generated by the fourth inductor 340. That is, the magnetic flux generated by the current in the first inductor 310 at the first inductor 310 is equal (and opposite) to the magnetic flux generated by the current in the third inductor 330 at the third inductor 330. And the magnetic flux generated by the current in the second inductor 320 at the second inductor 320 is equal (and opposite) to the magnetic flux generated by the current in the fourth inductor 340 at the fourth inductor 340. The magnetic flux at inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 can here be equally considered to be generated by those inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340. In other words, the first magnetic flux and the third magnetic flux respectively generated by the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are equal to each other (and opposite), and the second magnetic flux and the fourth magnetic flux respectively generated by the second pair of inductors are equal to each other (and opposite).

[0093] Of course, it should be understood that the inductors do not have to be center-tapped inductors, in which case the center tap nodes TAP1 and TAP2 will not be provided. In such a case, the first inductor 310 and the third inductor 330 do not need to be connected together at the center tap node TAP1, and the second inductor 320 and the fourth inductor 340 do not need to be connected together at the center tap node TAP2.

[0094] Accordingly, the magnetic field generated by the first inductor 310 is equal and opposite to the magnetic field generated by the third inductor 330, and these magnetic fields cancel each other out along a first zero line NL1 that is directly between and equidistant from the first inductor 310 and the third inductor 330. Similarly, the magnetic field generated by the second inductor 320 is equal and opposite to the magnetic field generated by the fourth inductor 340, and these magnetic fields cancel each other out along a second zero line NL2 that is directly between and equidistant from the second inductor 320 and the fourth inductor 340. Of course, the zero lines NL1 and NL2 extend in either direction and are shown as relatively short for simplicity in Figure 5 only.

[0095] For example, the first phase and the third phase can be 0 degrees and 180 degrees. For example, the second phase and the fourth phase can be 90 degrees and 270 degrees. In this case, the first through fourth phases are orthogonal, which is convenient for use in an IQ circuit, but this is not necessary. For example, the first through fourth phases can be 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 180 degrees, and 225 degrees, respectively. The first phase and the third phase can be substantially the same as the second phase and the fourth phase, respectively. There are many possible phases for the first through fourth phases, and the above listing is not exhaustive.

[0096] The first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are located (or positioned) on the second zero line NL2, and the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 are located on the first zero line NL1. Accordingly, the effect of the magnetic field generated by the first inductor 310 at the location of the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 is substantially canceled or at least reduced by the effect of the magnetic field generated by the third inductor 330 at the location of the second pair of inductors 320 and 340. Similarly, the effect of the magnetic field generated by the second inductor 320 at the location of the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 is substantially canceled or at least reduced by the effect of the magnetic field generated by the fourth inductor 340 at the location of the first pair of inductors 310 and 330. This reduces the coupling between the first pair of inductors 310, 330 and the second pair of inductors 320, 340.

[0097] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a schematic diagram of the first exemplary inductor device 300 shown, and additionally shows the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generated by the first pair of inductors 310 and 330. The reference numerals for the positive node, the negative node, and the center tap node are not shown in Figure 6 to avoid making Figure 6 too complex.

[0098] In a specific implementation for understanding the first example inductor device 300, the current driving the first inductor 310 flows in the first inductor 310 in a counterclockwise direction at a specific moment. As a result, the magnetic field generated by the first inductor 310 at that moment is led out Figure 6 of the page (as shown by the magnetic field lines). At that moment, the current driving the third inductor 330 flows in the third inductor 330 in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the magnetic field generated by the third inductor 330 is introduced into Figure 6 the page (as shown by the magnetic field lines). Because the magnetic fields have opposite phases / polarities, they cancel each other out at the positions of the second pair of inductors 320 and 340, resulting in a zero line NL1. The relative positions of the inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 with respect to each other ensure that each of the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 is equidistant from both of the first pair of inductors 310 and 330, and thus equal to the magnetic field amplitudes (or intensities or strengths) from both of the first pair of inductors 310 and 330. As a result, the magnetic coupling is significantly reduced (or even cancelled).

[0099] The corresponding description applies to the effect of the magnetic fields generated by the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 on the first pair of inductors 310 and 330, although it is not shown in Figure 6 for simplicity.

[0100] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of the first example inductor device 300, showing the magnetic field lines shown in Figure 6 . Therefore, Figure 7 is similar to Figure 6 , and the repeated description is omitted. The reference numerals and labels of the positive node, negative node, and center tap node are also not shown in Figure 7 to avoid making Figure 7 too complex.

[0101] Comparing the inductor device 100 and the first example inductor device 300, the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 can be considered to represent the first inductor 110 divided into two parallel inductors. Similarly, the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 can be considered to represent the second inductor 120 divided into two parallel inductors.

[0102] In inductor device 300, inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are placed relative to each other such that their center tap nodes 313, 323, 333, and 343 face away from each other, i.e., face "outward". In a modification of the first example inductor device 300, each pair of inductors is placed such that for a given pair, the center tap nodes are symmetrically arranged relative to each other about their zero line. That is, the center tap nodes 313 and 333 of the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are symmetrically arranged relative to each other about the first zero line NL1, and the center tap nodes 323 and 343 of the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 are symmetrically arranged relative to each other about the second zero line NL2.

[0103] In a modification of the first example inductor device 300, the positive terminals of the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are on the same side of the second zero line NL2 as each other, and the negative terminals of the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are on the same side of the second zero line NL2 as each other. Alternatively or additionally, the positive terminals of the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 are on the same side of the first zero line NL1 as each other, and the negative terminals of the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 are on the same side of the first zero line NL1 as each other.

[0104] In inductor device 300, inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are shown and described as differential inductors with center taps. In a modification of the first example inductor device 300, inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are differential inductors without center taps. In a further modification of the first example inductor device 300, inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are non-differential inductors. The above description regarding the reduced coupling between inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 applies equally in any case.

[0105] In example device 300, inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are shown and described as placed relative to each other such that their centers define the four corners of a square. In a modification of the first example inductor device 300, inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are placed relative to each other such that the first zero line NL1 and the second zero line NL2 cross, and such that the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are substantially on the second zero line NL2, and the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 are substantially on the first zero line NL1 (but not necessarily such that their centers define the four corners of a square). For example, inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 can be positioned such that their centers define the four corners of a rhombus.

[0106] In the example device 300, inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 can be considered "identical" (i.e., having the same dimensions and number of turns as each other) and are "driven" by the same current (i.e., currents of the same magnitude). In a modification of the first example inductor device 300, the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are identical to each other and are driven by the same current, and the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 are identical to each other and are driven by the same current as each other, but the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are not identical to the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 and / or are not driven by the same current. In a further modification of the first example inductor device 300, the inductors in a given pair are not identical to each other and are not driven by the same current, but still generate magnetic fields such that the magnetic fields generated by one inductor 310, 320, 330, and 340 of the pair have the same intensity as the magnetic fields generated by the other inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 of the pair. In this case, because the magnetic fields have the same intensity (and / or spatial distribution) as described above, the neutral line between the inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 of the given pair is straight.

[0107] In a modification of the first example inductor device 300, the magnetic fields generated by one inductor 310, 320, 330, and 340 of the pair have different intensities from the magnetic fields generated by the other inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 of the pair. In this case, although the neutral line between the inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 of the given pair is not straight, in such a modified example device, the inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are still placed relative to each other such that the first pair of inductors 310 and 330 are substantially on the second neutral line NL2, and the second pair of inductors 320 and 340 are substantially on the first neutral line NL1. Thus, the effect of magnetic coupling is reduced.

[0108] The phase of the magnetic fields generated by inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 depends on the winding direction of the inductor generating the magnetic field and the current driving the inductor. It should be understood that whether the inductors of each pair are connected together as described for the first example inductor device 300 or not, the inductor device 300 can be driven and / or the winding direction of the inductors can be set accordingly to generate magnetic fields having the above-described phases. Inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are shown as each having a single turn. Inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 can have multiple turns. The intensity (strength) of each magnetic field generated by inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 depends on the dimensions and number of turns of inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 and the current driving inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340, which can be set accordingly to generate magnetic fields having a specific intensity.

[0109] In any of the first example inductor devices 300 and its related modifications, the inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 of a given pair (or pairs) may not be connected as described above. Whether the inductors 310, 320, 330, and 340 are connected as described above or not, the current driving the inductors can be set to be the same as or different from that described above.

[0110] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a second example inductor device 400 for implementing the present invention.

[0111] The inductor 400 includes a first driving inductor 410, a second driving inductor 430, and an auxiliary loop 450. The first driving inductor 410 and the second driving inductor 420 are configured to be driven by a first driving signal and a second driving signal respectively (which causes corresponding driving currents to flow through these inductors).

[0112] That is, the first driving inductor 410 and the second driving inductor 420 (and other driving inductors herein) are configured to be electrically driven by a driving circuit (not shown), that is, through a conductive connection (allowing capacitive connection) to these inductors rather than through magnetic induction. The inductor device disclosed herein can be understood to include such a driving circuit (or a driving circuit can be provided separately for connection to the inductor device). The specific source of the driving current depends on the circuit implementing the inductor device and is not important for the purposes of this disclosure.

[0113] As described above, the driving signal (voltage / current) may have an AC component, such that the generated magnetic field is also the case.

[0114] The auxiliary loop 450 can be considered to include terminals connected together. Specifically, the auxiliary loop 450 is or defines a closed AC current path and / or a DC current path. The auxiliary loop 450 can also be referred to as a loop-shaped AC current path and / or a DC current path in the following sense, in which the induced AC current and / or DC current will circulate around the loop of the auxiliary loop. The auxiliary loop 450 forms a closed loop and can be referred to as a closed loop, or as a loop, or as a loop structure, and forms a loop shape or a loop shape in this example. The auxiliary loop 450 can be implemented as an inductor, and in this sense can be referred to as a closed loop inductor or a loop inductor or an inductor structure.

[0115] In the sense of driving an inductor, the auxiliary loop 450 is not configured to be driven by an AC drive current. That is, except by means of the magnetic fields generated by the first drive inductor and the second drive inductor (as described more fully below, i.e., by induction), the auxiliary loop 450 is not driven by an AC current. In other words, the auxiliary loop 450 is not driven by any AC current provided by a circuit not shown in Figure 8 and can be described as non-electrically driven. In this sense, the auxiliary loop 450 is "undriven" and can be referred to as an undriven inductor or a non-electrically driven inductor when implemented as an inductor. The auxiliary loop 450 can be connected to a DC voltage source to bias its voltage rather than leaving it "floating". The auxiliary loop 450 can be floating or connected to a fixed potential. The auxiliary loop 450 can be referred to as a magnetic trap or a conductive loop or a conductive circuit.

[0116] Similar to before, the inductors 410 and 420 can be driven by a set of orthogonal voltage signals which, for convenience, are referred to as I, / I, Q, and / Q, where these orthogonal voltage signals have respective (opposite) phases of 0 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees, and 270 degrees. In this example, the I signal and the / I signal can be applied to respective terminals of the inductor 410, and the Q signal and the / Q signal can be applied to respective terminals of the inductor 420. For example, the inductors 410 and 420 can have center taps, although not shown.

[0117] In this example, the resultant currents flowing in the inductors 410 and 420 can be 90 degrees or 270 degrees out of phase. Thus, the resultant magnetic fields generated by the inductors 410 and 420 can also be 90 degrees or 270 degrees out of phase. Such a device can be referred to as an I / Q device.

[0118] Figure 8 The magnetic field lines of the first drive magnetic field generated by the first drive inductor 410 are shown. As Figure 8 the field lines in show, the first drive magnetic field exists at the locations of the second drive inductor 420 and the auxiliary loop 450. The first drive magnetic field induces a current in the auxiliary loop 450, which can be referred to as the first auxiliary current. That is, the magnetic flux of the first drive magnetic field couples to the auxiliary loop 450, thereby inducing a back electromotive force in the auxiliary loop 450, which causes the first auxiliary current to flow in the auxiliary loop 450. The first auxiliary current induced in the auxiliary loop 450 then generates or produces a first auxiliary magnetic field in the auxiliary loop 450. That is, since the first auxiliary current flows in the auxiliary loop 450 induced by the first drive magnetic field, the auxiliary loop 450 generates the first auxiliary magnetic field.

[0119] According to Lenz's law, the first auxiliary magnetic field generated by the auxiliary loop 450 has a polarity opposite to that of the first driving magnetic field (i.e., the first driving magnetic field and the first auxiliary magnetic field have opposite phases). Therefore, the first driving magnetic field and the first auxiliary magnetic field cancel each other out at the position of the second driving inductor 420. As a result, the effect of the coupling from the first driving inductor 410 to the second driving inductor 420 is reduced. The sizes of the inductors 410, 420 and the auxiliary loop 450 and their relative positions with respect to each other are set such that the effect of the first driving magnetic field at the position of the second driving inductor 420 is at least partially canceled by the effect of the first auxiliary magnetic field at the position of the second driving inductor 420 (and preferably, canceled as much as possible).

[0120] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the second exemplary inductor device 400. Figure 9 Same as Figure 8 except that Figure 9 the magnetic field lines of the first auxiliary magnetic field are additionally shown.

[0121] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the second exemplary inductor device 400. Figure 10 The magnetic field lines of the second driving magnetic field and the magnetic field lines of the second auxiliary magnetic field are shown. Since the second driving current drives the second driving inductor 420, the second driving inductor 420 generates the second driving magnetic field. Similar to the above description of the first driving magnetic field and the first auxiliary magnetic field, the second driving magnetic field induces a second auxiliary current in the auxiliary loop 450, and the second auxiliary current generates the second auxiliary magnetic field. That is, the auxiliary loop 450 is configured to have a second auxiliary current induced therein by means of the second driving magnetic field generated by the second driving inductor 420, and thereby generate the second auxiliary magnetic field. The second auxiliary magnetic field and the second driving magnetic field have opposite polarities, i.e., opposite phases to each other, and therefore cancel each other out at the position of the first driving inductor 410. As a result, the effect of the coupling from the second driving inductor 420 to the first driving inductor 410 is reduced. The sizes of the inductors 410, 420 and the auxiliary loop 450 and their relative positions with respect to each other are set such that the effect of the second driving magnetic field at the position of the first driving inductor 410 is at least partially canceled by the effect of the second auxiliary magnetic field at the position of the first driving inductor 410 (and preferably, canceled as much as possible).

[0122] In the above description of the first driving magnetic field and the second driving magnetic field and the first auxiliary magnetic field and the second auxiliary magnetic field, it should be understood that since the driving signals and currents have AC components, the magnetic fields will alternate or fluctuate. Therefore, in Figures 8 to 10(And in other figures showing field lines with a direction), it will be understood that the field line direction alternates with time.

[0123] Although not shown in Figures 8 to 10 to avoid making them overly complex, the first driving magnetic field and the second driving magnetic field, as well as the first auxiliary magnetic field and the second auxiliary magnetic field, exist simultaneously (although the first driving magnetic field and the first auxiliary magnetic field may be out of phase with the second driving magnetic field and the second auxiliary magnetic field by 90 degrees or 270 degrees, as described above), and thus the coupling (mutual) between the first driving inductor 410 and the second driving inductor 420 is reduced or cancelled. It should be understood that the first driving magnetic field and the first auxiliary magnetic field do not need to be out of phase with the second driving magnetic field and the second auxiliary magnetic field by 90 degrees or 270 degrees.

[0124] Figure 10 The auxiliary loop 450 shown includes an interruption 451 or a gap 452 in its conductor, which corresponds to a capacitor in series with or along a portion of the conductor. The number and / or size of these interruptions can be set (controlled) to control the strength (i.e., intensity) of the first auxiliary magnetic field and the second auxiliary magnetic field, for example, to reduce the magnetic coupling between the first driving inductor 410 and the second driving inductor 420. Controlling the number and / or size of the interruptions is equivalent to controlling the series capacitance and thus controlling the AC performance.

[0125] The second example inductor device 400 has been described as including two driving inductors 410 and 420. In a modification of the second example device 400, the second driving inductor 420 is the target circuit. In this case, the action of the first driving magnetic field at the location of the target circuit 420 is cancelled by the action of the first auxiliary magnetic field at the location of the target circuit 420. Therefore, the operation of the target circuit 420 that may not want to be affected by the magnetic field (e.g., the coupling from the first driving magnetic field) can operate substantially unaffected (or with reduced influence) by this magnetic field. The target circuit 420 can be an inductor. As described above, the target circuit 420 can be a driving inductor, but in some applications, the action of the magnetic field generated by the target circuit 420 at the first driving inductor 410 may not be important. In simpler terms, in some cases, the action of the second driving magnetic field generated by the second driving inductor 420 at the first driving inductor 410 may not be important. Therefore, the relative positions and sizes of the first driving inductor 410, the second driving inductor 420, and the auxiliary loop 450 can be set accordingly.

[0126] In the second example inductor device 400, the auxiliary loop 450 is located between and equidistant from the first drive inductor 410 and the second drive inductor 420, and the first drive inductor 410, the second drive inductor 420, and the auxiliary loop 450 are located at their respective positions along a straight line. In a modification of the second example device 400, the relative positions of the first drive inductor 410, the second drive inductor 420, and the auxiliary loop 450 with respect to each other may be different from Figures 8 to 10 the positions shown. For example, the auxiliary loop 450 may be located between the first drive inductor 410 and the second drive inductor 420, but the first drive inductor 410, the second drive inductor 420, and the auxiliary loop 450 may not be located at their respective positions along a straight line. Alternatively or additionally, the auxiliary loop 450 may be non-equidistant from the first drive inductor 410 and the second drive inductor 420 (e.g., when the first drive inductor 410 and the second drive inductor 420 are different from each other).

[0127] It should be understood that in a modified example including the target circuit 450 (or a modified example where the effect of the second drive magnetic field generated by the second drive inductor 420 at the first drive inductor 410 is not important), the relative positions are even less restricted.

[0128] In the second example inductor device 400, the auxiliary loop includes interruptions 451 and 452. In a modification of the second example inductor device 400, the conductors of the auxiliary loop 450 may not include interruptions, or may include any number of interruptions. As described above, the auxiliary loop 450 is a closed (or looped) AC current path and / or DC current path. More specifically, when the auxiliary loop 450 includes one or more interruptions 451 or gaps 452 in its conductors, the auxiliary loop 450 is a closed (or looped) alternating current path. When the auxiliary loop 450 does not contain any interruptions 451 or gaps 452 (i.e., does not include a capacitor) in its conductors, the auxiliary loop 450 is a closed (or looped) AC current path and / or DC current path.

[0129] The intensities (force and / or field distribution) of the first drive magnetic field and the second drive magnetic field depend on many factors, including the first drive current and the second drive current, and the number of turns and dimensions of the first drive inductor 410 and the second drive inductor 420. The intensities (force) of the first auxiliary magnetic field and the second auxiliary magnetic field depend on many factors, including the first drive current and the second drive current, the number of turns and dimensions of the first drive inductor 410, the second drive inductor 420, and the auxiliary loop 450, and the relative positions of the first drive inductor 410, the second drive inductor 420, and the auxiliary loop 450. In practice, for optimal performance, the exact dimensions and relative positions of the components of the second example inductor device 400 may be set by performing simulations.

[0130] In some implementations, for the IQ operations as mentioned above, the phase difference between the phases of the first driving magnetic field and the second driving magnetic field is substantially 90 degrees or 270 degrees. The phases of the first driving magnetic field and the second driving magnetic field may be the same as each other. Of course, other phase differences are also possible.

[0131] In the modification of the second example inductor, the first driving inductor 410 and the second driving inductor 420 are differential inductors.

[0132] The first driving inductor 410 and the second driving inductor 420 are shown as having multiple turns in Figures 8 to 10 The first driving inductor 410 and the second driving inductor 420 may have any number (including one) of turns, and they may have different numbers of turns from each other. The intensities (force and / or field distribution) of the first driving magnetic field and the second driving magnetic field may be the same or different from each other.

[0133] It should be understood that the first example inductor device 300 or the second example inductor device 400 (or any related modification) may be implemented in an oscillator (such as a VCO) or a clock buffer circuit 800, as Figure 11 shown. The VCO or the clock buffer circuit 800 may be an I / Q circuit.

[0134] The circuit of the present invention may be implemented as an integrated circuit, for example, on an IC chip such as a flip chip. The present invention extends to the integrated circuit and the IC chip as described above, including a circuit board including such an IC chip, and a network device and a communication network (such as an Internet optical fiber network and a wireless network) including such a circuit board.

[0135] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of an integrated circuit 900 including a VCO or a clock buffer circuit 800.

[0136] Figure 13Schematic diagram of an I / Q oscillator circuit 100 including an inductor device 300 or 400 (which may be implemented as a VCO, although not explicitly shown), facilitating better understanding of possible applications of the present invention. To be consistent with the previously mentioned examples, a set of quadrature voltage signals is shown at the output node of the circuit 100, which are conveniently referred to as I, / I, Q, and / Q, and are thus applied to the terminals of the inductor of the aforementioned device 300 or 400. Those skilled in the art will understand that transformer coupling at the tail nodes of the two oscillator units enables IQ operation. The I / Q circuit 100 thus includes a first drive inductor 410 and a second drive inductor 410 (and an auxiliary loop 450 not shown) of a second example inductor device 400, or a first pair of inductors 310 and 330 and a second pair of inductors 320 and 340 (it should be understood that each pair can be considered as one inductor divided into two parallel inductors). Figure 13 is a schematic diagram and does not show the true relative positions of the inductors, which corresponds to Figure 5 and Figure 8 the relative positions shown in

[0137] Other embodiments may be provided within the spirit and scope of the present invention disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit having one or more layers and including an inductor device, the inductor device comprising: a first pair of drive inductors configured to be driven to generate substantially out-of-phase magnetic fields and arranged relative to each other such that their magnetic fields substantially cancel each other at a first null line between the inductors; and a second pair of drive inductors configured to generate substantially out-of-phase magnetic fields and arranged relative to each other such that their magnetic fields substantially cancel each other at a second null line between the inductors, wherein each pair of drive inductors is arranged relative to each other such that the first null line and the second null line cross each other, wherein the first pair of drive inductors is substantially located on the second null line, and the second pair of drive inductors is substantially located on the first null line, wherein the first pair of drive inductors and the second pair of drive inductors are formed in the same layer of the integrated circuit, wherein the drive inductors in the first pair of drive inductors and the second pair of drive inductors all have the same size and number of turns, wherein the drive inductors in the first pair of drive inductors and the second pair of drive inductors are differential inductors, wherein one of the first pair of drive inductors includes a first center tap node, and the other of the first pair of drive inductors includes a third center tap node, wherein one of the second pair of drive inductors includes a second center tap node, and the other of the second pair of drive inductors includes a fourth center tap node, and wherein the first pair of drive inductors is center-tapped, and the first center tap node and the third center tap node of the first pair of drive inductors are electrically connected together, and the second pair of drive inductors is center-tapped, and the second center tap node and the fourth center tap node of the second pair of drive inductors are electrically connected together.

2. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein: the first pair of drive inductors are connected together to be driven by the same first drive signal; and / or the second pair of drive inductors are connected together to be driven by the same second drive signal, optionally, wherein the phase difference between the first drive signal and the second drive signal is substantially 90 degrees or 270 degrees.

3. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein, the positions of the drive inductors in the first pair of drive inductors and the second pair of drive inductors define four corners of a rhombus or a square, and the drive inductors in the first pair of drive inductors are opposite to each other in the inductor device.

4. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein, the drive inductors have positive terminals and negative terminals, and wherein: the positive terminals of the drive inductors in the first pair of drive inductors are connected together, and the negative terminals of the drive inductors in the first pair of drive inductors are connected together; and / or The positive terminals of the drive inductors in the second pair of drive inductors are connected together, and the negative terminals of the drive inductors in the second pair of drive inductors are connected together; and / or The positive terminals of the drive inductors in the first pair of drive inductors are on the same side of the second neutral line, and the negative terminals of the drive inductors in the first pair of drive inductors are on the same side of the second neutral line; and / or The positive terminals of the drive inductors in the second pair of drive inductors are on the same side of the first neutral line, and the negative terminals of the drive inductors in the second pair of drive inductors are on the same side of the first neutral line; and / or The positive terminal and the negative terminal of each drive inductor in the first pair of drive inductors are on opposite sides of the second neutral line; and / or The positive terminal and the negative terminal of each drive inductor in the second pair of drive inductors are on opposite sides of the first neutral line.

5. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, comprising an I / Q circuit, the I / Q circuit comprising the inductor device.

6. The integrated circuit according to claim 5, wherein, the I / Q circuit is an I / Q clock buffer circuit or an I / Q voltage controlled oscillator circuit.

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