Integrated Circuit Magnetic Core With Insulated Subsections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic components within integrated circuits, such as transformers and inductors, suffer from low efficiency due to magnetic coupling limitations, leading to poor power transfer and increased eddy current losses at higher frequencies, which are exacerbated by the use of solid metallic cores and traditional laminate structures.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic core is formed using a plurality of layers of magnetically functional material separated by first and second insulating layers, where the second insulating layer has lower capacitance per unit area and reduced permittivity, disrupting capacitive coupling between subsections and reducing eddy current flow, thereby minimizing losses at higher frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid metallic core is used in an integrated circuit transformer, then magnetic coupling between windings is improved, but eddy current losses increase significantly at higher frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic core is divided into multiple thin laminated layers separated by insulating material layers. This segmentation breaks the continuous conductive path that causes eddy currents in solid cores, while maintaining sufficient magnetic coupling between windings through the laminated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The core uses a composite structure combining magnetically functional material layers with insulating material layers. This composite approach provides both the magnetic properties needed for coupling and the electrical insulation needed to suppress eddy currents at higher frequencies.
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 magnetic core design significantly reduces eddy current losses and improves transformer efficiency by controlling the characteristics of the core through the use of dissimilar insulating materials and thicknesses, enabling more efficient power transfer and compact integration of inductors and transformers within integrated circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of layers of magnetically functional material; wherein the first insulating layers are interposed between layers of the magnetically functional material to form subsections of the magnetic core
Implementation Method 2
the at least one second insulating layer is interposed between adjacent subsections of the magnetic core... the second insulating layer has lower capacitance per unit area and reduced permittivity
Implementation Method 3
disrupting capacitive coupling between subsections and reducing eddy current flow, thereby minimizing losses at higher frequencies
Implementation Method 4
the magnetically functional material is a ferromagnetic material, such as nickel-iron, nickel-cobalt, iron-cobalt, or cobalt-zirconium-tantalum
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic core is provided for an integrated circuit, the magnetic core comprising: a plurality of layers of magnetically functional material; a plurality of layers of a first insulating material; and at least one layer of an secondary insulating material; wherein layers of the first insulating material are interposed between layers of the magnetically functional material to form subsections of the magnetic core, and the at least one layer of second insulating material is interposed between adjacent subsections.