Mask-Selectable Voltage-Controlled Oscillator for Multi-Band Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-frequency radio applications require multiple voltage-controlled oscillator products for different frequency sub-bands, leading to significant costs due to the need for unique photolithographic mask sets for each sub-band.
Innovation Solution
A voltage-controlled oscillator design utilizing a programmable mask approach with a substrate, capacitance die, and exciter die, where the same die layouts can be customized using a single mask to vary capacitance and resistance values, allowing multiple products to share common masks, reducing mask fabrication costs and development time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distinct voltage-controlled oscillator products are created for different frequency sub-bands, then each product can be optimized for its specific sub-band, but the cost increases significantly due to requiring unique photolithographic mask sets for each product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal die layout that can be configured for multiple frequency sub-bands through a single programmable mask. The same die design serves multiple functions across different sub-bands (e.g., 5.4-6.4 GHz, 7.1-8.1 GHz, 10.0-11.0 GHz) by programmatically adjusting mask patterns, eliminating the need for separate dedicated mask sets for each sub-band while maintaining optimized performance for each frequency range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the mask (pattern geometry, capacitor finger configurations, inductor configurations) to adapt the same die layout for different frequency sub-bands. By programmatically modifying mask parameters rather than creating entirely different mask sets, the system achieves multi-sub-band coverage with a single universal die design, significantly reducing mask fabrication costs.
2Reliability
If unique photolithographic mask sets are created for each voltage-controlled oscillator product, then each product can have customized performance for its specific application, but the development time increases due to the need to create and validate separate mask sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal die layout that can be programmatically configured for multiple frequency sub-bands and performance specifications. This single die design replaces multiple product-specific designs, allowing the same physical layout to be adapted for different applications (WiFi, cellular, satellite) through programmable mask patterns, thereby reducing development time while maintaining performance optimization for each target specification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary design work by creating a universal die layout that anticipates multiple future product requirements. By pre-configuring the die structure to accommodate various frequency sub-bands and performance specifications through programmable elements, the system eliminates the need for iterative mask set creation and validation for each new product, significantly accelerating the development process.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple voltage-controlled oscillator products are manufactured with dedicated mask sets, then each product can be precisely optimized for its frequency sub-band, but the overall manufacturing complexity increases due to managing multiple mask sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal die layout with programmable configuration elements that can be adapted to multiple frequency sub-bands through a single mask set. The die includes configurable capacitor arrays, inductor configurations, and transistor arrangements that can be programmatically adjusted to achieve precise frequency tuning for different sub-bands, eliminating the need to manage multiple dedicated mask sets while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves precise frequency tuning for different sub-bands by programmatically changing mask parameters (pattern dimensions, connection configurations, component arrangements) rather than creating different mask sets. This parameter-based approach allows the same physical die layout to be precisely optimized for each frequency sub-band through controlled variations in mask pattern parameters, significantly reducing mask set management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a substrate, a capacitance die and an exciter die. The capacitance die is generally mounted on the substrate and may be configured to vary a frequency of a signal in an inductor. The exciter die is generally mounted on the substrate and may be configured to excite the signal. A particular one of the capacitance die and the exciter die may be fabricated with a die mask that has a plurality of available designs. The available designs generally customize the particular die to a plurality of configurations respectively. The capacitance die, the exciter die and the inductor may form a voltage-controlled oscillator.