Symmetric Integrated Inductor Layout for Higher Q and Inductance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing highly symmetric integrated inductors to improve their characteristics and performance in radio frequency integrated circuits, as conventional layouts often fail to achieve optimal inductance value and quality factor Q.

Innovation Solution

The integrated inductor design features two windings with non-overlapping coils that have overlapping areas, arranged symmetrically with respect to a symmetry axis, ensuring that the first and second ends are on different sides of the axis, and the coils are connected through bridging segments to maintain symmetry and equal electrical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional layout designs are used for integrated inductors, then the design process is simpler, but the inductance value and quality factor Q are not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductance value and quality factor QVSAvoidlayout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inductor winding is divided into multiple non-overlapping coil segments (first coil, second coil, third coil, fourth coil) arranged in a specific sequence. This segmentation allows each coil to be precisely controlled for optimal inductance contribution while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a symmetric layout design where coils are arranged symmetrically with respect to a central axis, with overlapping areas between adjacent coils (first coil overlaps third coil, second coil overlaps fourth coil). This symmetric arrangement ensures equal electrical properties and well-matched sub-inductors, resolving the contradiction by providing a systematic approach that balances precision with manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If coils are arranged to achieve high symmetry, then component characteristics improve, but the layout becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent characteristicsVSAvoidlayout symmetry requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The symmetric layout design creates equipotential conditions by arranging coils symmetrically with respect to a central axis. The first coil and third coil have overlapping areas, as do the second coil and fourth coil, ensuring that electric field distributions are balanced and sub-inductors are well-matched, thereby improving reliability through symmetric field distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the inductor structure are assigned specific functions: the overlapping areas between coils are designed to enhance magnetic coupling and inductance, while the non-overlapping portions contribute to quality factor optimization. This local differentiation of coil regions allows the overall structure to achieve high symmetry and reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11916098B2Highly symmetric integrated inductor
Publication Date: 2024.02.27 REALTEK SEMICON CORP
  • US11916098B2 patent drawing
  • US11916098B2 patent drawing
  • US11916098B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An integrated inductor is provided. The integrated inductor includes a first winding and a second winding, and has a first end, a second end, and a node. The first winding utilizes the first end and the node as two ends thereof and includes a first coil and a second coil, which do not overlap. The second winding utilizes the second end and the node as two ends thereof and includes a third coil and a fourth coil, which do not overlap. The first coil and the third coil have an overlapping area, and the second coil and the fourth coil have an overlapping area. The first coil is surrounded by the third coil, and the fourth coil is surrounded by the second coil.