Voltage Tunable Multilayer Capacitor with DC Bias Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunable capacitors have limited capacitance values, restricting their application in various frequency ranges, particularly in audio to RF and microwave frequencies, due to their relatively low capacitance values.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer capacitor design incorporating alternating active and DC bias electrodes with tunable dielectric layers that exhibit a variable dielectric constant upon voltage application, allowing for a wider range of capacitance tuning from 0.5 to 50,000,000 pF, using materials like barium strontium titanate and other ferroelectric phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional tunable capacitors are used, then capacitance can be tuned with applied voltage, but the capacitance values are relatively low and limited in range
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is divided into multiple layers with alternating active electrodes and DC bias electrodes, where each layer contributes to the overall capacitance. This segmentation allows achieving high capacitance values through the cumulative effect of multiple dielectric layers while maintaining voltage tunability across the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite dielectric structures with multiple dielectric layers that can have different properties. By combining different dielectric materials and configurations, the capacitor achieves both high capacitance values and broad tuning range, enabling versatility across audio to RF and microwave frequencies.
2Quantity of substance
If high capacitance values are achieved, then the capacitor can be used in more applications, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated multilayer structure. The active electrodes, DC bias electrodes, and dielectric layers are combined in alternating sequences within one compact component, achieving high capacitance without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor transitions from a conventional single-layer or few-layer structure to a multilayer configuration, adding the dimensional aspect of layer stacking. This vertical integration allows achieving high capacitance values through increased effective area and series/parallel combinations of dielectric layers without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint.
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 capacitor achieves significant capacitance tuning over a broad range, enabling efficient use in diverse applications by maintaining high tunability with modest DC bias voltages, reducing losses and variability across temperature and frequency.
Implementation Method 1
At least a portion of the dielectric layers contain a tunable dielectric material that exhibits a variable dielectric constant upon the application of an applied voltage
Implementation Method 2
using materials like barium strontium titanate and other ferroelectric phases
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable multilayer capacitor is provided. The capacitor comprises first active electrodes that are in electrical contact with a first active termination and alternating second active electrodes that are in electrical contact with a second active termination. The capacitor also comprises first DC bias electrodes that are in electrical contact with a first DC bias termination and alternating second DC bias electrodes that are in electrical contact with a second DC bias termination. A plurality of dielectric layers are disposed between the alternating first and second active electrodes and between the alternating first and second bias electrodes. At least a portion of the dielectric layers contain a dielectric material that exhibits a variable dielectric constant upon the application of an applied voltage.