Nickel-Phosphorus Transmission Path Structure for Low 8+ GHz Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waveguide structures experience increased signal loss at frequencies over 8 GHz, particularly in microstrip antennas and transmission paths, which limits their effectiveness in high-frequency applications.

Innovation Solution

A transmission path structure with a nickel-phosphorus layer having a phosphorus content concentration of 6 to 8 mass% is used, formed by depositing a copper layer, a nickel-phosphorus layer, and a gold layer in a stacked configuration, which reduces transmission loss and improves eye-opening height at frequencies above 8 GHz.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a nickel-phosphorus layer with 8 to 15% phosphorus concentration is used to cause non-magnetization, then transmission characteristics and gain are improved at lower frequencies, but signal loss increases significantly when frequency exceeds 8 GHz

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission characteristicsVSAvoidsignal loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the phosphorus concentration parameter from the conventional 8-15% range to a specific 6-8% range. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the sweet spot where non-magnetization is achieved while minimizing AC resistance and signal loss at high frequencies above 8 GHz

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite layered structure consisting of copper, nickel-phosphorus, and gold layers. Each layer serves a specific function: copper provides conductivity, nickel-phosphorus (at 6-8% P concentration) provides non-magnetic properties with optimized AC resistance, and gold provides corrosion resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If conventional waveguide structures are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but transmission loss increases at frequencies over 20 GHz

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidtransmission loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the phosphorus concentration parameter to 6-8% and controls layer thicknesses (copper: 5-20 μm, nickel-phosphorus: 0.1-5 μm, gold: 0.1-5 μm) to achieve low-loss transmission at frequencies over 20 GHz while maintaining the simple planar microstrip structure

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

This configuration significantly reduces transmission loss and enhances eye-opening height, thereby minimizing transmission errors and improving antenna gain even at frequencies up to 40 GHz, making it suitable for high-frequency applications.

Implementation Method 1

setting a concentration of phosphorus of the nickel-phosphorus layer to 8 to 15% to cause non-magnetization of nickel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-magnetization of nickel: Magnetic Saturation

Implementation Method 2

a high-frequency transmission line having low alternate current (AC) resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSkin effect: Skin Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3534456B1Transmission line
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3534456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3534456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3534456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a transmission path with little loss even when a signal at a frequency of over 8 GHz is transmitted. In a transmission path 12 transmitting high-frequency signals each containing a frequency component of over 8 GHz, the transmission path 12 includes a nickel-phosphorus layer 122 containing nickel and phosphorus, and a phosphorus concentration of the nickel-phosphorus layer 122 is over 0 mass% and less than 8 mass%. Such a structure enables to provide a transmission path with little loss even when a signal at a frequency of over 8 GHz is transmitted.