Programmable Inductor Interconnects for Regional Frequency Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inductors used in mobile devices are typically designed for specific geographic regions due to varying frequency bands, requiring multiple designs to accommodate different communication parameters, which increases manufacturing costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A programmable inductor design that allows for adjustment of the number of coils by selectively blowing interconnects using an E-fuse process, enabling a single manufacturing process to produce inductors adaptable to different frequency regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inductor designs are manufactured to accommodate different frequency bands for different geographic regions, then adaptability to various communication parameters is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal inductor design where a single physical inductor structure can serve multiple frequency bands through programmable control. The inductor includes multiple taps connected to different portions of the coil, allowing the same hardware component to be configured for different frequency ranges by selectively activating specific taps based on the required communication band for different geographic regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductor incorporates dynamic reconfigurability through programmable switches or transistors that can alter the effective number of turns and tap connections in real-time. This dynamic structure allows the inductor to adapt its electrical characteristics during operation, enabling a single device to function across multiple frequency bands without requiring separate fixed designs for each region.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inductor designs are manufactured for different geographic regions, then frequency band compatibility is improved, but production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a universal inductor that can be programmed for different frequency bands, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture separate inductor variants for different geographic regions. A single manufacturing process produces all inductors with the same physical structure and full tap connectivity, and the appropriate configuration is determined through software or control circuitry rather than physical manufacturing variations, thereby maintaining high production efficiency while achieving global frequency band compatibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single inductor design is used for all geographic regions, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different frequency bands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor coil is divided into multiple segments with taps at different positions along the coil winding. This segmentation allows the same continuous physical structure to be electrically configured in different ways by selecting which taps are connected to the circuit, enabling a single manufactured design to provide multiple frequency band adaptabilities through selective tap activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductor incorporates dynamic switching elements (such as transistors or programmable switches) that can change the electrical connectivity between different taps and coil sections during operation. This dynamic capability allows a single static physical design to achieve multiple functional configurations, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while providing the necessary adaptability to different frequency bands for various geographic regions.
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
Enables efficient production of inductors that can be programmed to match various frequency requirements, reducing design costs and simplifying manufacturing by allowing a single device to function across different geographic regions.
Implementation Method 1
A first programmable interconnect connects the first turn to the second turn... A second programmable interconnect connects the second turn to a third turn of conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing and programming a programmable inductor is provided. The structure of the programmable inductor includes multiple turns, with programmable interconnects incorporated at various points around the turns to provide a desired isolation of the turns during programming. In an embodiment the programming may be controlled using the size of the vias, the number of vias, or the shapes of the interconnects.