Multi-Core LC Oscillator Coil Layout for Wide Tuning and Low Phase Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LC oscillators face challenges in reducing phase noise and achieving a wide tuning range without degrading the quality factor or increasing circuit area, as directly reducing inductance shrinks the dimension and switchable inductance configurations result in quality factor degradation.
Innovation Solution
A one-coil multi-core LC oscillator design featuring a main coil with an outer wire and central wire, where the central wire is coupled between nodes of the outer wire, and includes mode suppression devices like resonance capacitors and mutual coils to switch between high and low frequency modes without affecting inductance or quality factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the inductance of the inductor is directly reduced by shrinking the dimension of the inductor, then the phase noise of the LC oscillator is reduced, but the quality factor of the inductor degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor is divided into multiple segments (first inductor segment and second inductor segment) that are connected in parallel. This segmentation allows the total inductance to be reduced while maintaining the physical dimensions of individual segments, thereby reducing phase noise without degrading the quality factor of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-series-inductor configuration to a parallel configuration of multiple inductor segments. This dimensional change in the circuit topology reduces the equivalent inductance without requiring physical shrinkage of the inductor dimensions, thus maintaining quality factor while reducing phase noise.
2Reliability
If the equivalent inductance is reduced without shrinking the dimension of the inductor, then the quality factor is maintained, but the overall circuit area needs to be doubled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple inductors into a single integrated inductor structure where the first and second inductor segments are formed within the same physical footprint. This combining approach reduces the total circuit area compared to using separate inductors, while still achieving the desired equivalent inductance reduction through parallel connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switches are connected between segments of the inductor to control the dimension, then the tuning range is increased, but the quality factor degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different inductor segments using switch circuits. This allows the equivalent inductance to be dynamically adjusted for wide frequency tuning range. The switching is designed to maintain quality factor by ensuring that only one segment is active at a time, avoiding the degradation that would occur from parallel connections during switching transitions.
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 design reduces phase noise and increases the tuning range without significant increases in circuit area or degrading inductance and quality factor performance, allowing for switchable modes without mode ambiguity.
Implementation Method 1
a main coil and at least one mode suppression device. The main coil may comprise an outer wire and a central wire, where the outer wire is coupled to a first core circuit and a second core circuit
Implementation Method 2
an outer loop formed by the outer wire corresponds to a first mode of the one-coil multi-core LC oscillator, and inner loops formed by the outer wire and the central wire correspond to a second mode
Implementation Method 3
the at least one mode suppression device, configured to suppress one of the first mode and the second mode
Data Source
AI summary
A one-coil multi-core inductor-capacitor (LC) oscillator is provided. The one-coil multi-core LC oscillator includes a main coil and at least one mode suppression device. The main coil includes an outer wire and a central wire, wherein the outer wire is coupled to a first core circuit and a second core circuit, and the central wire is coupled between a first node and a second node of the outer wire. More particularly, an outer loop formed by the outer wire corresponds to a first mode of the one-coil multi-core LC oscillator, and inner loops formed by the outer wire and the central wire correspond to a second mode of the one-coil multi-core LC oscillator, where the at least one mode suppression device is configured to suppress one of the first mode and the second mode.