Resonant Clock Circuit Magnetic Shield for EMI and Capacitance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Resonant clock circuits in semiconductor devices face issues with intrinsic and parasitic capacitance, as well as susceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which affect performance and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a magnetic layer made of magnetic material between the resonant clock circuit and the inductor to act as a shield, reducing the effects of parasitic and intrinsic capacitance while providing area savings and EMI protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multiple large capacitors and multiple inductors are used in the resonant clock circuit, then the energy recycling capability is improved, but the intrinsic capacitance and parasitic capacitance increase adversely affecting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple inductors into a single shared inductor that serves all capacitors in the resonant clock circuit. This merging approach maintains the energy recycling capability of multiple LC tanks while eliminating the intrinsic and parasitic capacitance associated with multiple separate inductors, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and performance reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The shared inductor is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as the inductive element for multiple different capacitors at different frequencies, enabling a single component to replace multiple inductors and reduce overall circuit complexity and parasitic effects
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inductors tuned at different frequencies are used, then the resonant clock circuit can operate at multiple frequencies, but the area occupied by the circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple inductors are merged into a single shared inductor structure that can be tuned to different frequencies. This consolidation maintains the multi-frequency operation capability while significantly reducing the total area occupied by inductive components in the resonant clock circuit
3Ease of operation
If traditional resonant clock circuit elements are used, then the circuit can operate, but it is susceptible to electromagnetic interference from external components
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic shield is introduced as an intermediary element between the resonant clock circuit and the external environment. This shield blocks electromagnetic interference from external components while allowing the circuit to operate normally, thus protecting the circuit without affecting its operational ease
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 magnetic layer improves overall circuit performance by reducing capacitance effects and shielding against EMI, leading to lower clock power consumption and increased area efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic layer formed of a magnetic material disposed in between a portion of the resonant clock circuit and the inductor... providing shielding to avoid undesirable effects such as EMI from external components
Implementation Method 2
By resonating the large global clock capacitance with an inductance, the energy used to charge the clock node each period can be recycled within an LC resonant tank network of the resonant clock circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Semiconductor devices and methods relating to the semiconductor devices are provided. A semiconductor device includes a resonant clock circuit. The semiconductor device further includes an inductor. The semiconductor device also includes a magnetic layer formed of a magnetic material disposed in between a portion of the resonant clock circuit and the inductor. Clock signals of the resonant clock circuit are utilized by the magnetic layer.