RF Front-End Module Integration With Self-Polarized Magnetic Puck

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for integrating magnetic functions into front-end radio frequency transmission and reception modules face challenges such as high manufacturing costs, yield reduction, increased insertion loss, and limitations in power handling and frequency usage due to the use of self-polarized/magnet-free magnetic materials, particularly on semiconductor and dielectric substrates.

Innovation Solution

A front-end radio frequency transmission and/or reception module is proposed, featuring a radio frequency integrated circuit with electrical connection zones and a puck based on self-polarized magnetic material, where a first and second dielectric material form lateral coating layers to maintain the module's components in position, and an RDL redistribution layer connects the puck and integrated circuit, allowing for efficient signal transmission without external magnets or adhesives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If magnetic material is deposited in a cavity formed in a semiconductor substrate, then integration of magnetic function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and yield decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of magnetic functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the magnetic material integration from the semiconductor substrate cavity approach and relocates it to a separate support substrate. The magnetic material is deposited on the support substrate, then the assembly is transferred to the semiconductor substrate, avoiding the need to form cavities in the expensive semiconductor substrate and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If magnetic material is deposited in a cavity formed in a semiconductor substrate, then integration of magnetic function is achieved, but insertion loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of magnetic functionVSAvoidinsertion loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support substrate as an intermediary carrier for the magnetic material. This support substrate serves as a mediator that holds the magnetic material in the correct position relative to the semiconductor substrate without requiring cavity formation, thereby maintaining signal integrity and reducing insertion loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If substrate thickness is limited, then integration is compact, but magnetic material thickness is limited reducing power handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule sizeVSAvoidpower handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the support substrate as an additional dimensional space to accommodate thicker magnetic material. By depositing magnetic material on the support substrate before assembly, the system can achieve greater magnetic material thickness without increasing the overall module footprint, thereby enhancing power handling capability while maintaining compact integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Stability of the object's composition

If cavity is etched larger than magnetic material, then mechanical stability is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary deposition of magnetic material on the support substrate before final assembly with the semiconductor substrate. This preliminary action allows the magnetic material to be positioned and stabilized on the support substrate, which then serves as a pre-assembled unit, reducing the complexity of precise cavity formation and alignment during final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution reduces the size, weight, and cost of radio frequency systems by optimizing magnetic function integration, improving power handling, and reducing insertion loss, while maintaining stability under vibrations and varying temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a puck based on a self-polarized magnetic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-polarization:

Data Source

PatentEP4343838A1Radio frequency transmitting and/or receiving front end module and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP4343838A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3A
  • EP4343838A1 patent drawingFigure 3B~5
  • EP4343838A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A new integration solution is proposed that enables the fabrication of radio frequency transmit and/or receive front-end modules 1 with integrated radio frequency integrated circuit(s) 11 and integrated self-polarizing magnetic component(s) 20 using Wafer Level Packaging technology. This simple and flexible integration solution allows for the design of high-performance, compact, and low-cost front-end modules.