Integrated Inductor With Magnetic Core for High Q Factor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inductors face a challenge in increasing inductance while maintaining or reducing size, as increasing the number of coils enhances resistance, parasitic capacitance, and size, hindering miniaturization and integration onto semiconductor dies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a magnetic core within the inductor structure, which enhances the Q factor without enlarging the inductor, by forming the magnetic core within the central core region and using underbump metallization to align with the magnetic material, allowing for enhanced inductance without increasing the inductor's physical dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the number of coils is increased to enhance inductance, then the inductance increases, but the resistance, parasitic capacitance, and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic core material with specific magnetic permeability properties into the inductor structure. This parameter change in the core material allows the inductor to achieve higher inductance and Q factor without increasing the number of coils or the overall size, thereby resolving the contradiction between size and performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining conductive coil material with magnetic core material. This composite approach enables the inductor to achieve enhanced magnetic properties and higher Q factor within a compact form factor, avoiding the need to increase coil count and associated parasitic effects
2Volume of moving object
If the number of coils is increased to enhance inductance, then the inductance increases, but the resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the core material parameter to include magnetic material with high permeability, the inductor achieves higher inductance per turn. This allows reduction in the number of coils needed, thereby reducing the total resistance and energy losses while maintaining the required inductance value and size
3Volume of moving object
If the number of coils is increased to enhance inductance, then the inductance increases, but the parasitic capacitance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of magnetic core material changes the magnetic coupling parameters between coils, enhancing the effective inductance per turn. This allows for fewer coils with lower inter-coil parasitic capacitance, thereby improving Q factor while maintaining compact size
4Volume of moving object
If the inductor size is reduced for miniaturization, then the size decreases, but the inductance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the core material to magnetic material with high permeability, the inductor achieves higher inductance density. This allows the inductor to maintain high inductance values within a reduced physical size, enabling miniaturization without sacrificing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic core extends in the vertical dimension (into and above the passivation layer), utilizing the third dimension to concentrate magnetic flux. This dimensional approach allows high inductance to be achieved in a compact planar footprint, enabling miniaturization while maintaining inductance
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 approach allows for increased inductance and improved Q factor without compromising the miniaturization of inductors, enabling their effective integration onto semiconductor dies while maintaining or reducing the inductor's size.
Implementation Method 1
an inductor is a passive electrical component that can store energy in a magnetic field created by an electric current passing through it
Implementation Method 2
Incorporating a magnetic core within the inductor structure, which enhances the Q factor without enlarging the inductor
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing an integrated inductor with a high Quality factor (Q) is provided. An embodiment comprises a magnetic core that is in a center of a conductive spiral. The magnetic core increases the inductance of the integrated inductor to allow the inductor to be used in applications such as a RF choke. The magnetic core may be formed in the same manner and time as an underbump metallization.