Configurable Inductor with Nested Switched Loops for High Q Factor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Broadband RF systems require inductors with high quality factor Q and tunability, but existing tunable or configurable inductors often have low quality factor Q, which limits their effectiveness in stable oscillator frequency maintenance, especially in broadband applications.
Innovation Solution
A configurable inductor design featuring a primary conductor loop with secondary, tertiary, and quaternary conductor loops, where the secondary and tertiary loops are inductively coupled with the primary loop and interrupted by digitally controlled switches, allowing for adjustable inductance and high Q factor without increasing parasitic resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tunable or configurable inductors are used to achieve adjustable inductance, then adaptability is improved, but quality factor Q deteriorates (becomes low)
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor is segmented into a primary conductor loop and multiple secondary conductor loops. The primary loop provides the base inductance with high Q factor, while the secondary loops can be independently switched to adjust the total inductance. This segmentation allows tuning functionality without degrading the quality factor of the main inductive path.
Solution Approach 2:
Secondary conductor loops are nested inside the primary conductor loop. When the secondary loops are activated, they add to the total inductance through magnetic coupling. This nested configuration allows for inductance adjustment while maintaining the high Q factor of the primary loop, as the secondary loops are positioned to maximize coupling efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inductors are used to achieve broadband performance, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configurable inductor serves multiple functions: it provides broadband operation across multiple frequency bands, enables frequency tuning, and maintains high Q factor all within a single device structure. The primary loop handles the fundamental inductance requirement while secondary loops provide additional tuning capability, eliminating the need for multiple separate inductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductor incorporates digitally controlled switches that dynamically reconfigure the circuit topology by connecting or disconnecting secondary loops. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the inductor to adapt its inductance value and operate across different frequency bands, providing broadband performance through a single adaptable component rather than multiple fixed inductors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a high quality factor Q and broad tuning range, enabling stable oscillator frequencies in broadband applications with reduced parasitic resistance and cost-effective implementation.
Implementation Method 1
The secondary conductor loops are inductively coupled with the primary conductor loop
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable inductor comprises a primary conductor loop uninterrupted by any switches. Inside the primary conductor are one or more secondary conductor loops, each with a switch that allows interrupting the secondary conductor loop. Multiple secondary conductor loops may be electrically coupled to form combined secondary conductor loops. The primary conductor loop may span multiple interconnect layers. A secondary conductor loop may span multiple interconnect layers, and the number of interconnect layers may be configurable by additional switches. There may also be one or more tertiary conductor loops partially outside the primary conductor loop. And there may be quaternary conductor loops on different interconnect layers than the primary conductor loop.