Non-reciprocal Circuit Element Inductance Reduction via Segmented Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-reciprocal circuit elements, such as isolators, face challenges in reducing inductance while maintaining performance, especially at high-frequency bands, due to limitations in parameter adjustment and increased risk of shorts and substrate damage, leading to degraded insertion loss characteristics and self-resonating issues.
Innovation Solution
A non-reciprocal circuit element design that includes a permanent magnet, a microwave magnetic body, and center electrodes with a sub-center electrode connected in parallel to the second center electrode, allowing for fine adjustment of inductance without increasing line width, depth, or reducing ferrite thickness, thereby maintaining coupling and preventing shorts and substrate damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the number of times the center electrodes are wrapped around the ferrite is reduced to decrease inductance, then the inductance decreases, but the coupling between the first and second center electrodes drops, causing degradation in insertion loss characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The second center electrode is divided into a plurality of electrode sections that are arranged in parallel. This segmentation allows the inductance to be reduced by distributing the current path while maintaining the coupling effect through the parallel arrangement, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing inductance and maintaining insertion loss characteristics.
2Volume of moving object
If the line width of the center electrodes is increased to reduce inductance, then the inductance decreases, but the chance of shorts between the electrodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing line width, the electrode is segmented into multiple parallel sections. This approach reduces inductance through the parallel configuration without requiring wider lines, thereby avoiding the increased risk of shorts while achieving the desired inductance reduction.
3Volume of moving object
If the depth of the through holes is increased to reduce inductance, then the inductance decreases, but the chance of shorts between the electrodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure is segmented into parallel sections that can be implemented with standard through-hole depths. This segmentation achieves inductance reduction without requiring excessively deep holes, thereby maintaining reliability and avoiding shorts.
4Volume of moving object
If the thickness of the ferrite is reduced to reduce inductance, then the inductance decreases, but the strength of the ferrite is reduced, increasing the chance of breaks and cracks during polishing process
Solution Approach 1:
The inductance reduction is achieved through segmentation of the electrode into parallel sections rather than by reducing ferrite thickness. This allows the ferrite to maintain its standard thickness and strength, avoiding breaks and cracks during the polishing process while still achieving the desired inductance reduction.
5Speed
If the inductance of the center electrodes is reduced to increase the self-resonating frequency for high-frequency operation, then the operational frequency increases, but the insertion loss characteristics may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The second center electrode is segmented into multiple parallel electrode sections, which reduces the overall inductance and thereby increases the self-resonating frequency for high-frequency operation. The parallel arrangement maintains the coupling effect, ensuring that insertion loss characteristics are not degraded despite the inductance reduction.
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
Enables operation in high-frequency bands with reduced inductance of the second center electrode without degrading insertion loss characteristics, increasing the self-resonating frequency, and avoiding reliability issues like shorts and substrate breaks.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave magnetic body to which a direct current magnetic field is configured to be applied by the permanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
a first center electrode that is wrapped around the microwave magnetic body... a second center electrode that is wrapped around the microwave magnetic body while intersecting with the first center electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A non-reciprocal circuit element includes a permanent magnet, a microwave magnetic body to which a direct current magnetic field is applied by the permanent magnet, a first center electrode that is wrapped around the microwave magnetic body, is connected at one end to an input port, and is connected at another end to an output port, a second center electrode that is wrapped around the microwave magnetic body while intersecting with the first center electrode so as to be insulated from the first center electrode, is connected at one end to the output port, and is connected at another end to a ground port, a first matching capacitance connected between the input port and the output port in parallel with the first center electrode, a terminating resistance connected between the input port and the output port in parallel with the first center electrode, and a second matching capacitance connected between the output port and the ground port. A sub-center electrode is connected in parallel to a portion of the second center electrode.