Adjustable Inductor With Segmented Ground Plane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inductors, such as spiral-type and figure eight inductors, face issues with mutual inductance and coupling between coils, and often occupy a large area, limiting their versatility and quality factor.

Innovation Solution

An inductor device comprising an inductor element, a substrate, and a ground plane with multiple sub-ground planes, where switches control the connection and grounding relationships between these sub-ground planes to adjust the inductance value of the inductor element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spiral-type inductors are used, then inductance can be achieved, but mutual inductance and coupling occur between coils

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinductance qualityVSAvoidmutual inductance and coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ground plane is divided into multiple sub ground planes (first sub ground plane, second sub ground plane, third sub ground plane, fourth sub ground plane) that are spatially separated and independently controllable. This segmentation allows individual control of magnetic coupling paths, enabling the inductor to operate without harmful mutual inductance between coils while maintaining reliable inductance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If figure eight inductors are used, then inductance can be achieved, but the device occupies a larger area

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinductanceVSAvoiddevice area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes vertical layering (z-dimension) by stacking multiple sub ground planes at different levels above the substrate, rather than expanding horizontally. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the inductor to achieve the required inductance value without increasing the planar footprint, effectively solving the area constraint problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If fixed inductance value is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but usage range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidusage range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustability by incorporating switches (first switch, second switch, third switch, fourth switch) that can dynamically connect or disconnect different sub ground planes. This allows the inductance value to be adjusted in real-time based on circuit requirements, transforming a static component into a dynamic, adaptable element without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inductor device achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single inductor component to provide multiple different inductance values through the configurable connection of sub ground planes. This universal design allows the same hardware to adapt to various circuit requirements, replacing what would traditionally require multiple fixed inductors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230097424A1Inductor device

Publication Date: 2023.03.30 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

An inductor device includes an inductor element, a substrate and a ground plane is disclosed. The ground plane includes several sub ground planes. The inductor element is set above the substrate, and the substrate is set above the ground plane. When at least one of several connection relationships between the several sub ground planes change, an inductance value of the inductor element changes.