2D FET Cell Layout for Thermal Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The linear arrangement of Field Effect Transistor (FET) cells leads to 'bunching' of thermal dissipation, resulting in high channel temperatures, which is not efficiently addressed in existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

The FET cells are arranged in a two-dimensional array with gate electrodes aligned vertically and horizontally, creating three sections that allow heat to dissipate over a larger unshared surface area, reducing source inductance and optimizing phase matching for maximum power and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If FET cells are arranged in a linear array, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but thermal dissipation is concentrated causing high channel temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidchannel temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear array arrangement to a two-dimensional distributed array arrangement of FET cells. This dimensional change allows heat to dissipate across a larger surface area in multiple directions, reducing thermal concentration and channel temperature while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through systematic layout patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If FET cells are arranged in a two-dimensional array, then thermal dissipation is improved and channel temperature is reduced, but the device layout complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel temperatureVSAvoidlayout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the FET device into multiple discrete cells arranged in a two-dimensional array, with each cell containing segmented source, drain, and gate regions. This segmentation approach distributes thermal load across multiple independent units while organizing them in a systematic pattern that manages layout complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Length of stationary object

If FET cells are arranged in a linear array, then the vertical dimension is larger, but the thermal dissipation area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical dimensionVSAvoidthermal dissipation area
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent expands the thermal dissipation area by arranging FET cells in a two-dimensional array that utilizes both horizontal and vertical space efficiently. This layout increases the effective heat dissipation surface area without proportionally increasing the overall vertical dimension, as heat can now dissipate in multiple directions across the array rather than being constrained to a linear path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3338307B1Field effect transistor having two-dimensionally distributed field effect transistor cells
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 RAYTHEON CO
  • EP3338307B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3338307B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~4B
  • EP3338307B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A Field Effect Transistor (FET) having: a plurality of FET cells having a plurality of source pads, a plurality of drain pads, and a plurality of gate electrodes disposed on a surface of a substrate; each one of the FET cells having a corresponding one of the gate electrodes disposed between one of the source pads and one of the drain pads; a gate contact connected to the gate electrodes of each one of the FET cells; a drain contact connected to the drain pad of each one of the FET cells; and a source contact connected to source pad of each one of the FET cells. The cells are disposed on a surface in a two-dimensional array.