Resistor Trimming Circuit for High-Frequency Tolerance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for high-frequency signal processing in electronic circuits requires precise manufacturing of resistor structures with tight impedance tolerances, which becomes challenging due to the need for smaller components.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing electric circuits that involves providing a substrate with a signal conductor and a resistor structure, using an additional contacting structure for precise measurement and trimming of the resistor structure until it meets predefined nominal values or tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If resistor structures are made smaller to handle higher frequencies, then the circuit can process higher frequency signals, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing an additional contacting structure that enables preliminary measurement of the resistor structure's characteristics before final assembly. This allows the resistor to be tested and trimmed while accessible, ensuring manufacturing precision is achieved before the component is integrated into the final high-frequency circuit where it would be inaccessible for further adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the resistor structure to be measured and trimmed in-situ during the manufacturing process. The additional contacting structure allows the resistor to serve its own measurement and adjustment needs without requiring external intervention or disassembly, facilitating precise trimming to meet tight tolerance requirements even for miniaturized high-frequency components.
2Length of moving object
If resistor structures are made smaller for high-frequency processing, then physical constraints are satisfied, but measurement and trimming become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the additional contacting structure - that mediates between the small resistor structure and the measurement instruments. This intermediary provides reliable electrical connection points that enable accurate measurement of the miniaturized resistor's characteristics, overcoming the difficulty of measuring and trimming small high-frequency components.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional manufacturing methods are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but tolerance requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the measurement and trimming functions from the final circuit assembly process. The additional contacting structure creates distinct measurement access points that allow resistor characteristics to be evaluated and adjusted independently during manufacturing, enabling precise tolerance control without complicating the overall manufacturing workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing an electric circuit includes: providing a signal conductor on a first side of a substrate; providing a resistor structure on the first side of the substrate, the resistor structure contacting the signal conductor; providing a first contacting structure on the first side of the substrate, the first contacting structure electrically connected to the resistor structure by a first electric connection, the first electric connection at least partially provided on the second side of the substrate; applying a test signal to the resistor structure via a measurement circuit contacting the first contacting structure and the signal conductor; determining at least one characteristic property of the first resistor structure based on the test signal; and trimming the resistor structure until the at least one characteristic property has a predefined nominal value or is less than a predefined nominal value by less than a predefined threshold.