Method and system for configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package

Aspects of a method and system for a configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package are provided. In a hybrid circuit comprising an integrated circuit bonded to a multi-layer package, one or more antenna parameters may be adjusted by configuring a plurality of antenna elements via one or more switching elements. In this regard, the antenna elements and/or the switching elements may be within and/or on the multi-layer package and/or within the integrated circuit. The switching elements may be MEMS switches on and/or within the IC and/or the multi-layer package. The IC may be bonded or mounted to the underside of the package and signals may be communicated between the IC and the package via one or more solder balls. The IC may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code for configuring the antenna elements. The antenna elements may be configured based on desired polarization, antenna gain, and/or frequency.

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to signal processing. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for a configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile communications have changed the way people communicate and mobile phones have been transformed from a luxury item to an essential part of every day life. The use of mobile phones is today dictated by social situations, rather than hampered by location or technology. While voice connections fulfill the basic need to communicate, and mobile voice connections continue to filter even further into the fabric of every day life, the mobile Internet is the next step in the mobile communication revolution. The mobile Internet is poised to become a common source of everyday information, and easy, versatile mobile access to this data will be taken for granted.

As the number of electronic devices enabled for wireline and/or mobile communications continues to increase, significant efforts exist with regard to making such devices more power efficient. For example, a large percentage of communications devices are mobile wireless devices and thus often operate on battery power. Additionally, transmit and/or receive circuitry within such mobile wireless devices often account for a significant portion of the power consumed within these devices. Moreover, in some conventional communication systems, transmitters and/or receivers are often power inefficient in comparison to other blocks of the portable communication devices. Accordingly, these transmitters and/or receivers have a significant impact on battery life for these mobile wireless devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method is for a configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for a configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package. In a hybrid circuit comprising an integrated circuit bonded to a multi-layer package, one or more antenna parameters may be adjusted by configuring a plurality of antenna elements via one or more switching elements. In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the antenna elements and/or the switching elements may be within and/or on the multi-layer package and/or the within the integrated circuit. Additionally, in various embodiments of the invention, the switching elements may be MEMS switches on and/or within the IC and/or the multi-layer package. Also, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the IC may be bonded or mounted to the underside of the package and signals may be communicated between the IC and the package via one or more solder balls. The IC may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code for configuring the antenna elements. In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the antenna elements may be configured based on desired polarization, antenna gain, and/or frequency. Furthermore, a first configuration of said antenna elements may be utilized for receiving signals and a second configuration of said antenna elements may be utilized for transmitting signals. The multi-layer package may comprise one or more layers of ferromagnetic and/or ferrimagnetic material.

FIG. 1is diagram illustrating a configurable antenna fabricated in an integrated circuit package, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a hybrid circuit200(The hybrid circuit may also be referred to as a hybridized circuit, or a hybrid or hybridized package.) comprising a multi-layer integrated circuit (IC) package213, an associated IC (“chip”)201, antenna elements102, switching elements104, and solder balls211.

The IC201may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code for performing one or more functions associated with transmitting and/or receiving RF signals. In this regard, the IC201may comprise all or a portion of the system420described with respect toFIG. 4. In this regard, the IC may utilize a configurable antenna fabricated in the multi-layer integrated circuit package213for transmitting and/or receiving RF signals. In this regard, the IC201may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code for configuring the antenna elements102via the switching elements104.

The IC201may be bump-bonded or flip-chip bonded to the multi-layer IC package213utilizing the solder balls211. In this manner, wire bonds connecting the IC201to the multi-layer IC package213may be eliminated, reducing and/or eliminating uncontrollable stray inductances due to wire bonds. In addition, the thermal conductance out of the IC201may be greatly improved utilizing the solder balls211and the thermal epoxy221. The thermal epoxy221may be electrically insulating but thermally conductive to allow for thermal energy to be conducted out of the IC201to the much larger thermal mass of the multilayer package213.

The solder balls211may comprise spherical balls of metal to provide electrical, thermal and physical contact between the IC201and the multi-layer IC package213. In making the contact with the solder balls211, the IC may be pressed with enough force to squash the metal spheres somewhat, and may be performed at an elevated temperature to provide suitable electrical resistance and physical bond strength. The solder balls211may also be utilized to provide electrical, thermal and physical contact between the multi-layer IC package213and a printed circuit board comprising other parts of, for example, the wireless system420described with respect toFIG. 4.

The multi-layer IC package213may comprise one or more layers of metal and/or insulating material. In this regard, the package213may be fabricated in a manner similar to or the same as the IC201. Accordingly, the layers may be utilized to realize circuit exemplary elements comprising resistors, inductors, capacitors, transmission lines, switches, and antennas. In various embodiments of the invention, one or more switching elements104and one or more antenna elements102may be fabricated in the multi-layer IC package213. Accordingly, a configurable antenna may be realized in the multi-layer IC package213wherein opening/closing the switches alters the receive characteristics of the antenna.

The antenna elements102may each be a metallic and/or conductive structure capable of coupling RF energy to/from, for example, the transceiver423described with respect toFIG. 420. The antenna elements102may be coupled, via switches104, to form an overall antenna which may thus have a variety of shapes and sizes. In this manner, controlling the shape and size of the overall antenna may enable controlling exemplary characteristics of the antenna comprising center frequency, bandwidth, gain, and polarization. In various embodiments of the invention, each element may be rectangular, circular, and/or another shape. One or more of the elements may be coupled (by way of one or more vias and/or one or more metal layers) to one or more of the solder balls211. In this manner, signals may be conveyed to/from the package213.

The switching elements104may enable coupling/decoupling the antenna elements102from each other and/or one or more solder balls211thus altering the size and shape of the overall antenna. In various embodiments of the invention, the switching elements104may be micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) switches.

In operation, suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code in the IC201and/or in another device coupled to the package213(e.g., located on a PCB and coupled via one or more of the solder balls211) may control the switching elements104to realize a desired antenna characteristic. In this regard, the antenna elements102may be coupled/decoupled such that the shape and/or size of the overall antenna achieves a desired gain, center frequency, bandwidth, polarization, etc.

FIG. 2Ais a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of a multi-layer IC package with integrated configurable antenna, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2A, there is shown a hybrid circuit200comprising a IC201and a multi-layer IC package213. The multi-layer IC package213may comprise an insulating material203, metal layers202and206, vias204, and MEMS switches220a,220b, and220c. Additionally, in various embodiments of the invention, the multi-layer IC package may comprise one or more layers and/or areas of ferromagnetic and/or ferromagnetic material. The IC210may be coupled to the package213, and the package213to a PCB (not shown), via solder balls211. A surface mount component219A may be mounted to the package213, and thermal epoxy221may be pressed between the IC201and the package213.

The IC201may be as described with respect toFIG. 1.

The solder balls211may be as described with respect toFIG. 1.

The surface mount device219A may comprise a discrete circuit element such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and diodes, for example. The surface mount device219A may be soldered to the IC package213to provide electrical contact. In various embodiments of the invention, additional surface mount elements or no surface mount elements may be coupled to the package213.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the metal layer202, may comprise a deposited metal layer utilized to delineate the antenna elements102described with respect toFIG. 1. In this regard, the metal layer202may be deposited in shapes and/or sizes which enable varying characteristics of the overall antenna characteristics (e.g., center frequency, bandwidth, gain, polarization).

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vias204and the metal layer206may comprise deposited metal layers utilized to delineate waveguides, traces, and/or transmission lines which may couple the metal layer202to the solder balls211. In this manner, signals may be conveyed to/from the antenna elements102in the metal layer202.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more MEMS switches220may be realized in the multi-layer IC package213. In this regard, the MEMS switch220may close when, for example a magnetic field is induced on a switch terminal. In this regard, the MEMS switches220may each comprise a thin conductive element or film which when in the open position is suspended above a switch terminal (as indicated by the solid lines inFIG. 2) and when in the closed position is in contact with a switch terminal (as indicated by the dashed lines inFIG. 2). Accordingly, energizing the terminal, for example, may generate an attracting force that draws the element of film into contact with the terminal.

In operation, the IC201and associated package213may be utilized to transmit and/or receive RF signals. The IC201may be electrically coupled to a configurable antenna fabricated on and/or within the IC package213. The overall antenna response may be configured via the switching elements220. In this regard, each antenna element102may transmit and/or receive RF energy and that energy may be coupled to one of the solder balls211when a corresponding switch220is in the closed position. In this manner, logic, circuitry, and/or code in the IC201may select whether to utilize the antenna element102a,102b, and/or102c, by closing switch220a,220b, and220c, respectively. Accordingly, selecting the different combinations of the antenna elements102may enable achieving overall antenna characteristics. In various embodiments of the invention, additional devices (e.g., capacitors, inductors, resistors) may be integrated into the multi-layer IC package without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more circuit values (e.g., capacitance or inductance) may be adjusted and/or tuned via the surface mount devices. For example, a MEMS switch220may enable coupling or decoupling the surface mount devices to the IC201. In various other embodiments of the invention, additional MEMS switches may be integrated in the multi-layer IC package213and may be utilized for coupling/decoupling integrated and/or surface mount components within/on the multi-layer IC package to other components within/on the package213and/or to the IC210. Additionally, switching elements in the IC201may be utilized for coupling devices within the IC201, within the multi-layer IC package213, and between the multi-layer IC package213and the IC201.

FIG. 2Bis a block diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of a multi-layer IC package with integrated configurable antenna, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2Bthere is shown an IC201and associated package213. The package213may comprise an insulating material203, a metal layer202, vias252,254,256, and MEMS switches220dand220e. The IC210may be coupled to the package213, and the package213to a PCB (not shown), via solder balls211. A surface mount component219may be mounted to the package213, and thermal epoxy221may be pressed between the IC201and the package213.

The IC201may be as described with respect toFIG. 2A.

The multi-layer IC package213may be as described with respect toFIG. 1.

Antenna elements102a,102b,102cmay be fabricated in the metal layer202. In this regard, the elements102a,102b,102cmay be as described with respect toFIG. 1. The antenna elements102a,102b, and102cmay be coupled and/or decoupled via the MEMS switches220dand220e.

The vias252and255may convey biasing and or control signals to the antenna elements102aand102c, respectively. Accordingly, the MEMS switches may be controlled by way of the vias252and256. In one exemplary configuration, a magnetic charge may be induced on the antenna element102awhich may close (indicated by the dashed line) the MEMS switch220a. In this manner, the overall antenna may comprise antenna elements102aand102b. In another configuration, both switches220dand220emay be closed such that the overall antenna comprises antenna elements102a,102b, and102c.

The via254may convey received RF signals from the overall antenna or RF signals to be transmitted to the overall antenna. In this regard, the configuration of the MEMS switches202dand202emay alter the size, shape, polarization, etc. of the overall antenna and thus affect the reception/transmission characteristics of the antenna. For example, both MEMS switches220dand220eclosed may improve antenna response at lower frequencies whereas both MEMS switches220dand220eopen may improve antenna response at higher frequencies. Accordingly, selecting different combinations of the antenna elements102may enable achieving different antenna characteristics.

FIG. 3is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for receiving signals utilizing a configurable integrated antenna, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 3the exemplary steps may begin with step302when a receiver is ready to begin receiving signals. Subsequent to step302, the exemplary steps may advance to step304. In step304, a counter, i, may be initialized to 0. In this regard, i may keep track of antenna configurations, and each combination of open and closed switches may correspond to a value of i. Accordingly, higher numbers of antenna elements and higher number of switches may correspond to a higher maximum value of i. Subsequent to step304, the exemplary steps may advance to step306.

In step306, switch elements (e.g.,104ofFIG. 1, or220ofFIGS. 2A and 2B) may be placed in a configuration which corresponds to the current value of i. In this regard, a memory (e.g.427ofFIG. 4) may be utilized to map i to switch configurations. Subsequent to step306, the exemplary steps may advance to step308.

In step308, a receiver (e.g.423ofFIG. 4) may receive signals utilizing the antenna configuration corresponding to the current value of i. The transceiver may then measure the received signal (e.g., strength, signal to noise, presence of interference, etc.) and store results of the measurement to a memory (e.g.427ofFIG. 4). Subsequent to step308, the exemplary steps may advance to step310.

In step310, i may be incremented. Subsequent to step310, the exemplary steps may advance to step312. In step312, it may be determined whether i is equal to a maximum value of i. In this regard, checking to see if i is equal to a maximum value may enable determining if all desired antenna configurations have been tried. For example, i may be equal to the total number of possible antenna configurations (which depends on the number of antenna elements and the number of switches). Alternatively, a subset of possible antenna configurations may be tried where, for example, it was previously determined that those configurations are most likely to provide the best reception. Subsequent to step312, the exemplary steps may advance to step314.

In step314, it may be determined which value of i (i.e. which antenna configuration) resulted in the best reception. In this regard, in various embodiments of the invention, the antenna may be configured upon power up, upon changing a channel or frequency, when received signal strength drops below a threshold, periodically, etc. Subsequent to step314, the exemplary steps may advance to step316. In step316, the determined best antenna configuration may be selected and signals may be received.

Steps similar to those described with respect toFIG. 3may also be applied to determining an antenna configuration for transmitting signals.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown a wireless device420that may comprise an RF receiver423a, an RF transmitter423b, a digital baseband processor429, a processor425, and a memory427. A receive antenna421amay be communicatively coupled to the RF receiver423a. A transmit antenna421bmay be communicatively coupled to the RF transmitter423b. The wireless device420may be operated in a system, such as the cellular network and/or digital video broadcast network, for example.

The antenna(s)421aand421bmay comprise one or more antenna elements, similar to or the same as the antenna elements102described with respect toFIG. 1, which may be coupled/decoupled via one or more switching elements, such as the MEMS switches220described with respect toFIGS. 2A,2B. In this regard, the antennas421aand421bmay share antenna elements and/or utilize different elements. For example, antenna421aand421bmay utilize mutually exclusive antenna elements and switches which may enable simultaneous transmission and reception. Alternatively, a first configuration of antenna elements may be utilized to receive signals and a second configuration of antenna elements may be utilized to transmit signals, wherein one or more antenna elements is utilized in both the transmit and receive configurations.

The RF receiver423amay comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable processing of received RF signals. The RF receiver423amay enable receiving RF signals in a plurality of frequency bands. For example, the RF receiver423amay enable receiving signals in extremely high frequency (e.g., 60 GHz) bands. The receiver423amay be enabled to receive, filter, amplify, down-convert, and/or perform analog to digital conversion. The RF receiver423amay down convert a received RF signal. In this regard, the RF receiver423amay perform direct down conversion of the received RF signal to a baseband or may convert the received RF signal to an intermediate frequency (IF). In various embodiments of the invention, the receiver423amay perform quadrature down-conversion where in-phase components and quadrature phase components may be processed in parallel. The receiver423amay be enabled to receive signals via the antenna421a, which may be a configurable integrated antenna as described with respect toFIGS. 1,2A, and2B. In various embodiments of the invention, the wireless device420may comprise a plurality of the receivers423aand may thus support multiple frequency bands and or simultaneous reception of signals in the same frequency band.

The digital baseband processor429may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable processing and/or handling of baseband signals. In this regard, the digital baseband processor429may process or handle signals received from the RF receiver423aand/or signals to be transferred to the RF transmitter423b, when the RF transmitter423bis present, for transmission to the network. The digital baseband processor429may also provide control and/or feedback information to the RF receiver423aand to the RF transmitter423bbased on information from the processed signals. In this regard, the baseband processor429may provide one or more control signals for configuring the antenna elements, via one or more switching elements, to realize the receive antenna421aand/or the transmit antenna421b. The digital baseband processor429may communicate information and/or data from the processed signals to the processor425and/or to the memory427. Moreover, the digital baseband processor429may receive information from the processor425and/or to the memory427, which may be processed and transferred to the RF transmitter423bfor transmission to the network.

The RF transmitter423bmay comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable processing of RF signals for transmission. The transmitter423bmay be enabled to transmit signals via the antenna421b, which may be a configurable integrated antenna as described with respect toFIGS. 1,2A, and2B. The RF transmitter423bmay enable transmission of RF signals in a plurality of frequency bands. For example, the RF transmitter423bmay enable transmitting signals in cellular frequency bands. Each frequency band supported by the RF transmitter423bmay have a corresponding front-end circuit for handling amplification and up conversion operations, for example. In this regard, the RF transmitter423bmay be referred to as a multi-band transmitter when it supports more than one frequency band. In another embodiment of the invention, the wireless device420may comprise more than one RF transmitter423b, wherein each of the RF transmitter423bmay be a single-band or a multi-band transmitter.

In various embodiments of the invention, the RF transmitter423bmay perform direct up conversion of the baseband signal to an RF signal. In some instances, the RF transmitter423bmay enable digital-to-analog conversion of the baseband signal components received from the digital baseband processor429before up conversion. In other instances, the RF transmitter423bmay receive baseband signal components in analog form.

The processor425may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable control and/or data processing operations for the wireless device420. The processor425may be utilized to control at least a portion of the RF receiver423a, the RF transmitter423b, the digital baseband processor429, and/or the memory427. In this regard, the processor425may generate at least one signal for controlling operations within the wireless device420. In this regard, the baseband processor429may provide one or more control signals for configuring the antenna elements, via one or more switching elements, to realize the receive antenna421aand/or the transmit antenna421b. The processor425may also enable executing of applications that may be utilized by the wireless device420. For example, the processor425may execute applications that may enable displaying and/or interacting with content received via cellular transmission signals in the wireless device420.

The memory427may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable storage of data and/or other information utilized by the wireless device420. For example, the memory427may be utilized for storing processed data generated by the digital baseband processor429and/or the processor425. The memory427may also be utilized to store information, such as configuration information, that may be utilized to control the operation of at least one block in the wireless device420. For example, the memory427may comprise information necessary to configure the antenna(s)421aand421bIn this regard, the memory may store control and/or configuration information for configuring the antenna elements, via one or more switching elements, to realize the receive antenna421aand/or the transmit antenna421b.

Aspects of a method and system for configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package are provided. In a hybrid circuit (e.g.,200) comprising an integrated circuit (e.g.,201) bonded to a multi-layer package (e.g.,213), one or more antenna parameters may be adjusted by configuring a plurality of antenna elements (e.g.,102) via one or more switching elements (e.g.,104). In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the antenna elements and/or the switching elements may be within the integrated circuit and/or within and/or on the multi-layer package. Also, the switching elements may be MEMS switches (e.g.,220) on and/or within the IC and/or the multi-layer package. The IC may be bonded or mounted to the underside of the package and signals may be communicated between the IC and the package via one or more solder balls (e.g.,211). The IC may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code for configuring the antenna elements. The antenna elements may be configured based on desired polarization, antenna gain, and/or frequency. A first configuration of said antenna elements may be utilized for receiving signals and a second configuration of said antenna elements may be utilized for transmitting signals. The multi-layer package may comprise one or more layers of ferromagnetic and/or ferrimagnetic material.

Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine-readable storage, having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine to perform the steps as described herein for configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package.