MIM Capacitor Matching in High-Frequency Amplifiers for Harmonic Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-frequency amplifiers require separate mounting areas for resonance and matching circuits, increasing circuit size, and existing solutions do not efficiently address impedance matching for fundamental waves while processing harmonics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a Metal Insulator Metal (MIM) capacitor within the matching circuits to achieve impedance matching for fundamental waves and form a short-circuit point for harmonics, reducing the overall circuit size by integrating the functions of resonance and matching circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a resonance circuit and matching circuit are separately mounted to perform harmonic processing and impedance matching, then the amplifier can achieve efficient operation, but the circuit size increases due to requiring separate mounting areas for both circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamplifier efficiencyVSAvoidcircuit size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the resonance circuit and matching circuit into a single integrated structure. The open stub is configured to simultaneously provide harmonic frequency resonance (reflecting harmonics) and fundamental wave impedance matching, eliminating the need for separate circuits and reducing overall circuit size while maintaining amplifier efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The open stub is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a resonance circuit for harmonic processing and simultaneously serves as a matching circuit for fundamental wave impedance matching. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate circuits, thereby reducing the mounting area.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the line width of the open stub is increased to perform harmonic processing over a wide band, then the bandwidth of harmonic processing is improved, but the circuit size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth of harmonic processingVSAvoidcircuit size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves wideband harmonic processing by optimizing the electrical length and characteristic impedance of the open stub rather than simply increasing its physical dimensions. By carefully selecting the stub length (one-quarter wavelength at the fundamental frequency) and adjusting its position and dimensions to control impedance transformation, the circuit achieves broadband performance without proportionally increasing circuit size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 MIM capacitor enables reduced circuit size and expanded bandwidth by performing impedance matching and harmonic processing without the need for separate resonance and matching circuits, improving transistor efficiency and suppressing high-frequency leakage.

Implementation Method 1

the MIM capacitor achieves impedance matching of a fundamental wave included in a high-frequency signal with the transmission line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance matching: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Implementation Method 2

the MIM capacitor forms, for example, a quarter-wavelength resonant structure having one end connected to another end of the transmission line and the other end open, thereby achieving short-circuiting of a harmonic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3648344B1High-frequency amplifier
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3648344B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3648344B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3648344B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A MIM capacitor (7) is included in any one or more of a first matching circuit (4) and a second matching circuit (5). The MIM capacitor (7) performs impedance matching of a fundamental wave included in a high-frequency signal with a transmission line (8), and forms a short-circuit point for a harmonic included in the high-frequency signal at a connection point with the transmission line (8).