Hybrid BAW Filter Circuit With IPD Integration for Sharp Rejection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic filtering circuits suffer from drawbacks such as wide transition bands and inferior rejection performances, and often require separate mechanical protection and filtering functions.

Innovation Solution

An electronic filtering circuit design that integrates a bulk acoustic wave filter on an integrated passive device, with conductive pillars connecting electrodes, forming a cavity protected by a peripheral wall, combining the advantages of both filter types and reducing transition bands while enhancing rejection performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bulk acoustic wave filter is used, then rejection performance is improved, but transition bands become wider

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverejection performanceVSAvoidtransition band width
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a bulk acoustic wave filter (BAW) with an integrated passive device (IPD) into a single hybrid filter circuit. The BAW filter provides superior rejection performance while the IPD contributes narrow transition bands. The two filter types are merged through conductive pillars that electrically connect the BAW filter electrodes to the IPD contact pads, creating a unified filtering system that achieves both high rejection and sharp transition characteristics simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate mechanical protection and filtering functions are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated passive device substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the mounting platform for the bulk acoustic wave filter, provides electrical connection pathways through its contact pads, and serves as the structural housing that encloses and protects the cavity containing the BAW filter. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate protective housings and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining mechanical protection.

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

3Strength

If additional covers are added for mechanical protection, then strength is improved, but volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical protectionVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated passive device substrate is designed to serve as both the functional circuit carrier and the mechanical protective housing. By merging these two functions into a single component, the patent eliminates the need for additional protective covers that would increase device volume. The substrate's inherent structural integrity provides sufficient mechanical protection while maintaining a compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integrated design achieves narrower transition bands and superior rejection performances, while providing mechanical protection and space savings, without the need for additional covers.

Implementation Method 1

a bulk acoustic wave filter superimposed on the integrated passive device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBulk acoustic wave: Acoustics

Implementation Method 2

at least one conductive pillar passing through the integrated passive device and connecting an electrode of the bulk acoustic wave filter to a contact recovery element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4601193A1Electronic filter circuit
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 STMICROELECTRONICS INT NV
  • EP4601193A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP4601193A1 patent drawingFigure 2C~3A
  • EP4601193A1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4

AI summary

The present description relates to an electronic filtering circuit (100) comprising: - an integrated passive device (101); - a bulk acoustic wave filter (151) superimposed on the integrated passive device (101) on the side of a first face (103B) of the integrated passive device (101); and - at least one conductive pillar (181) passing through the integrated passive device (101) and connecting an electrode (157) of the bulk acoustic wave filter (151) to a contact recovery element (113) located on a second face (103A) of the integrated passive device (101) opposite the first face (103B) and intended to be connected to an external element (117).