High-Frequency Component Short-Circuit Vias for Signal Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic components for high-frequency applications face signal impairment due to parasitic couplings between signal lines and metallic bonding frames, leading to manufacturing complexity and increased costs, especially when integrating microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.

Innovation Solution

An electronic component design featuring a metallic frame with strategically placed short-circuit vias that electrically connect the metal frame to a ground surface, reducing signal interference by reflecting coupled electromagnetic waves and allowing for hermetic encapsulation of MEMS devices without the need for high-temperature bonding processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If signal lines are routed through bushings into the housing interior, then high-frequency signals can be introduced and removed from the component, but parasitic couplings occur between the signal lines and the metallic bonding frame causing signal impairment and losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoidparasitic coupling and signal impairment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (insulating layer or insulating housing material) between the signal line and the metallic bonding frame to prevent direct parasitic coupling. This mediator blocks the harmful electromagnetic coupling while allowing the signal to pass through the bushing into the housing interior, thus resolving the contradiction between signal transmission capability and parasitic coupling prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If glass frit bonding processes are used to connect housing parts, then hermetic encapsulation is achieved, but high temperatures cause thermally induced stresses and manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehermetic encapsulationVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity and thermal stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the bonding parameter from high-temperature glass frit bonding to lower-temperature metallic bonding frame connection. This parameter change maintains hermetic encapsulation reliability while avoiding the thermal stresses and manufacturing complexity associated with high-temperature processes, thus resolving the contradiction between hermetic sealing and manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If additional TSVs are placed in the cavity to reduce coupling with the bond frame, then signal line coupling is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal coupling with bond frameVSAvoidnumber of TSVs and manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful coupling effect by removing or eliminating the need for additional TSVs through the use of insulating layers or insulating housing materials. Instead of adding more TSVs to reduce coupling, the solution takes out the coupling problem entirely by providing electrical insulation between the signal line and bond frame, thus reducing both the harmful coupling and the manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If lateral feedthrough with thin insulating layer is used to eliminate coupling effects, then signal transmission is improved, but production cost and integration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparasitic coupling effectsVSAvoidproduction cost and PCB integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the housing material itself serve the dual function of mechanical enclosure and electrical insulation. By making the housing material insulating, it simultaneously provides structural containment and prevents parasitic coupling between signal lines and the metallic bonding frame, eliminating the need for separate insulating layers and simplifying both manufacturing and PCB integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design minimizes signal interference and reduces manufacturing complexity, enabling efficient high-frequency signal transmission and integration of MEMS devices on printed circuit boards with improved sealing and reduced production costs.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one short-circuit via electrically connects the metal frame to a metal ground surface on one of the housing components. This design minimizes signal interference and reduces manufacturing complexity, enabling efficient high-frequency signal transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3093267B1Electronic high frequency component
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE GMBH
  • EP3093267B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1b
  • EP3093267B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3093267B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to an electronic high-frequency component 1 for housing miniature devices, comprising at least two housing components 2a, 2b, which are connected to one another by means of a metallic frame 3 and enclose a cavity 4, and at least one input signal line 5 for introducing high-frequency electrical signals from outside the component 1 into the cavity 4. The input signal line 5 is connected to a signal via 7. Furthermore, the component 1 has at least one short-circuit via 9, which electrically connects the metallic frame 3 to at least one of the housing components 2a, 2b of the component 1.