Tunable Magnonic Crystal Device for On-Chip RF Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RF filters are large, difficult to integrate on-chip, and limited in size, frequency range, and performance, making them unsuitable for compact, high-frequency applications.

Innovation Solution

A tunable magnonic crystal device with a spin wave waveguide and a magneto-electric cell that selectively filters spin wave spectral components by adjusting magnetic properties with a control voltage, enabling compact, high-frequency filtering with improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional RF filters (LC circuits, SAW, BAW) are used, then filtering performance is achieved, but device size becomes large and integration on-chip becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering performanceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional electrical/mechanical RF filter structures (LC circuits, SAW, BAW) with a magnonic crystal-based filtering system that uses spin wave propagation and magnetic property modulation. This substitution enables compact on-chip integration while maintaining filtering performance through the unique physics of magnonic crystals rather than traditional electrical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs magneto-electric cells to dynamically change the magnetic properties (magnetization, magnetic anisotropy) of the magnonic crystal structure, enabling tuning of the filtering characteristics. This parameter change capability allows the same physical structure to achieve different filtering frequencies and bandwidths without changing the physical device size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional RF filters are used, then filtering function is provided, but integration scalability and on-chip compatibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering functionVSAvoidintegration scalability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The magnonic crystal filtering device serves multiple functions: it provides RF signal filtering, enables frequency tuning through magneto-electric control, and integrates with standard semiconductor fabrication processes. This multi-functionality makes it adaptable to various on-chip integration scenarios and different RF application requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing bulky conventional filter components with a magnonic crystal structure that can be fabricated using semiconductor processes, the invention achieves scalability for on-chip integration. The magnonic crystal can be patterned and integrated alongside other electronic components using compatible manufacturing techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional RF filters are used, then signal filtering is achieved, but frequency range and performance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal filteringVSAvoidfrequency range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses magneto-electric cells to change the magnetic properties of the magnonic crystal, enabling dynamic tuning of the filtering frequency and bandwidth. This allows the same device to adapt to different frequency ranges and performance requirements by modifying the magnetic state rather than changing the physical structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a small footprint, high-frequency filtering with a good quality factor and selectivity, suitable for on-chip integration, offering scalable and efficient signal processing for RF signals.

Implementation Method 1

a magneto-electric cell operably connected to the magnonic crystal structure. The magneto-electric cell comprises an electrode element for receiving a control voltage to select a spectral parameter of the spectral component of the spin wave by an interaction, dependent on the control voltage, between the magneto-electric cell and a magnetic property of the magnonic crystal structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagneto-electric effect:

Implementation Method 2

spin waves (also referred as magnons) are formed and applied in such devices. Spin waves may be considered as states of magnetization that propagate as a wave in a suitable material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpin wave propagation:

Implementation Method 3

A magnonic crystal may comprise a material or materials configured such that a periodic modulation of magnetic parameters is achieved, e.g. by directly engineering the material composition or by modulating a geometric configuration of the material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeriodic modulation effect:

Data Source

PatentEP3249705B1Tunable magnonic crystal device and filtering method
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO ELECTRONICS CENT (IMEC VZW)
  • EP3249705B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3249705B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tunable magnonic crystal device (10), comprising a spin wave waveguide (11), a magnonic crystal structure (15) in or on the spin wave waveguide, and a magneto-electric cell (16) operably connected to the magnonic crystal structure. The magnonic crystal structure is adapted for selectively filtering a spin wave spectral component of a spin wave propagating through the spin wave waveguide such as to provide a filtered spin wave. The magneto-electric cell (16) comprises an electrode element (19) for receiving a control voltage to select a spectral parameter of the spectral component of the spin wave (20) by an interaction, dependent on the control voltage, between the magneto-electric cell (16) and a magnetic property of the magnonic crystal structure (15).