Voltage Converter Noise Suppression via Segmented Ground Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage converters suffer from high-frequency noise generation due to parasitic components, which can cause malfunctions and communication interference, and there is a lack of effective countermeasures for this issue in current designs.
Innovation Solution
A voltage converter configuration with separate input-side and output-side capacitors connected to different ground potentials through distinct conductor layers, which creates an electrically high-impedance state between the input and output sides, effectively trapping high-frequency noise and preventing its propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If separate ground connections are provided for input-side and output-side capacitors, then high-frequency noise is suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground connections are segmented into separate input-side ground and output-side ground regions, which are electrically isolated at high frequencies through the conductor layer configuration. This segmentation prevents high-frequency noise coupling between input and output sides while maintaining a unified low-frequency ground reference.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the substrate are assigned different ground connection characteristics: the input-side capacitor connects to ground through one conductor layer configuration while the output-side capacitor connects through another. This local differentiation optimizes noise suppression at each location without requiring complete system redesign.
2Manufacturing precision
If switching frequency is increased to decrease ripple voltage, then output voltage stability improves, but high-frequency noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground system is segmented into frequency-dependent zones where high-frequency switching noise is directed to dedicated return paths separate from the low-frequency output voltage reference. This allows high switching frequencies to be used for ripple reduction while preventing noise propagation to the output.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor layers act as intermediary structures that provide frequency-selective grounding paths. They mediate between the high-frequency switching nodes and the low-frequency ground reference, allowing beneficial high-frequency switching operation while filtering out harmful noise through the layered conductor configuration.
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 configuration reliably suppresses high-frequency noise, preventing malfunctions and ensuring stable operation of the voltage converter by isolating noise within the input-side loop, thus maintaining accurate output voltage.
Implementation Method 1
a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer which are formed so as to interpose the active component therebetween and are connected to a predetermined ground potential... creating an electrically high-impedance state between the input and output sides, effectively trapping high-frequency noise
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a voltage converter capable of reliably preventing malfunctions of an electronic circuit to stably maintain an accurate operation by suppressing high-frequency noise generated on an input side. A DC-DC converter 1 as a voltage converter includes an active component embedded substrate 2 having an IC chip 7 and an input-side capacitor Cin and an output-side capacitor Cout mounted thereon, and ground layers 33G-1 and 33G-2 and a ground layer 32G are formed therein so as to interpose the IC chip 7 therebetween. The input-side capacitor Cin is connected to the ground layer 33G-1, and the output-side capacitor Cout is connected to the ground layer 33G-2. Moreover, the ground layer 32G is connected to the terminals of the IC chip 7, and the input-side capacitor Cin and the output-side capacitor Cout are connected to each other by the ground layers 33G-1 and 33G-2.