Patent Publication Number: US-2023154669-A1

Title: Inductor device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of Taiwan Application Serial Number 110142832, filed on Nov. 17, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below in its entirety and for all applicable purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to an electronic device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an inductor device. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Radio frequency (RF) devices generate second harmonic, third harmonic, fourth harmonic, etc. during operation. The harmonics cause negative effect to other circuits. For example, second harmonic of 2.4 GHz circuit is near 5 GHz, and 5 GHz signal causes negative effect to system on chip (SoC). 
     Conventional way to solve negative effect caused by harmonics is that a filter will be disposed outside of a circuit for filtering the harmonics. However, the filter disposed outside of the circuit will affect function of the circuit and generate additional costs. 
     SUMMARY 
     The foregoing presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the present disclosure or delineate the scope of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an inductor device. The inductor device comprises a first trace, a second trace, and a capacitor. The first trace includes at least two sub-traces and a first crossing connection portion. One terminal of the at least two sub-traces is coupled to a first node. The first crossing connection portion is coupled between the at least two sub-traces of the first trace in an interlaced manner. The second trace comprises at least two sub-traces. One terminal of the at least two sub-traces is coupled at a second node. The capacitor is coupled between the first node and the second node. 
     Therefore, based on the technical content of the present disclosure, the capacitor of the inductor device brings a function to filter low frequency, such that low frequency signal induced at the inductor device cannot pass but high frequency signal can pass the capacitor directly. Low frequency signal is, for example, a signal that uses 2.4 GHz as main operating frequency. Therefore, the folded inductor will not affect the characteristic of the operating frequency of the inductor. If an inductor which is located at the center of the inductor device has a high frequency signal, for example, a second harmonic (i.e., 5 GHz signal), the high frequency signal may pass the capacitor and form an inductive inductor which is a circle flows through the folded inductor and the capacitor. Therefore, a 5 GHz harmonic signal corresponding to 2.4 GHz signal is induced in the inductor device of the present disclosure. The 5 GHz signal can be used in the circuit. For example, the 5 GHz signal can be amplified and then the amplified 5 GHz signal is used to cancel the 5 GHz harmonic signal of the operating frequency. In addition, the amplifying circuit can be arranged by a designer who is familiar with circuit design. As a result, a negative effect to a 5 GHz circuit can be reduced. 
     Besides, since the filter is disposed inside the inductor device of the present disclosure, there is no need to dispose a filter outside of the inductor device, so as to prevent an outer filter from affecting the circuit or prevent additional costs. In addition, the crossing structure of the present disclosure with symmetrical disposition can make the induced signals in the inner wire and the outer wire flow of the traces in an interlaced manner, such that the induced signals in the inner wire and the outer wire can be cancelled. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are by examples, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
         FIG.  1    depicts a schematic diagram of an inductor device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    depicts an application diagram of the inductor device shown in  FIG.  1    according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    depicts an operation diagram of the inductor device shown in  FIG.  1    according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    depicts a schematic diagram of an inductor device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    depicts an operation diagram of the inductor device shown in  FIG.  4    according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6    depicts an application diagram of the inductor device shown in  FIG.  4    according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     According to the usual mode of operation, various features and elements in the figures have not been drawn to scale, which are drawn to the best way to present specific features and elements related to the disclosure. In addition, among the different figures, the same or similar element symbols refer to similar elements/components. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     To make the contents of the present disclosure more thorough and complete, the following illustrative description is given with regard to the implementation aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The features of the embodiments and the steps of the method and their sequences that constitute and implement the embodiments are described. However, other embodiments may be used to achieve the same or equivalent functions and step sequences. 
     Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terminologies employed in the present disclosure shall have the meanings that are commonly understood and used by one of ordinary skill in the art. Unless otherwise required by context, it will be understood that singular terms shall include plural forms of the same and plural terms shall include the singular. Specifically, as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a” and “an” include the plural reference unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
       FIG.  1    depicts a schematic diagram of an inductor device  1000  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the inductor device  1000  includes a first trace  1100 , a second trace  1200 , and a capacitor C. Besides, the first trace  1100  includes at least two sub-traces  1110 ,  1120  and a first crossing connection portion  1130 . The second trace  1200  includes at least two sub-traces  1210 ,  1220 . 
     With respect to structures, one terminal (e.g., the upper terminal) of the at least two sub-traces  1110 ,  1120  is coupled to a first node N 1 . The first crossing connection portion  1130  is coupled between at least two sub-traces  1110 ,  1120  of the first trace  1100  in an interlaced manner. In addition, one terminal (e.g., the upper terminal) of the at least two sub-traces  1210 ,  1220  is coupled to a second node N 2 . Besides, the capacitor C is coupled between the first node N 1  and the second node N 2 . 
     In one embodiment, the second trace  1200  further includes a second crossing connection portion  1230 . The second crossing connection portion  1230  is coupled between the at least two sub-traces  1210 ,  1220  of the second trace  1200  in an interlaced manner. 
     In one embodiment, the first trace  1100  includes a first sub-trace  1110  and a second sub-trace  1120 . Besides, each of the first sub-trace  1110  and the second sub-trace  1120  includes a first terminal and a second terminal. As shown in the figure, the first terminal (e.g., the upper terminal) of the first sub-trace  1110  is coupled to the first node N 1 , and the first terminal (e.g., the upper terminal) of the second sub-trace  1120  and the first terminal (e.g., the upper terminal) of the first sub-trace  1110  are coupled to each other at the first node N 1 . 
     In one embodiment, each of the at least two sub-traces  1110 ,  1120  of the first trace  1100  includes a U-typed sub-trace. For example, the sub-traces  1110 ,  1120  are all U-typed sub-traces. In addition, each of the at least two sub-traces  1210 ,  1220  of the second trace  1200  includes a U-typed sub-trace. For example, the sub-traces  1210 ,  1220  are all U-typed sub-traces. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the structure as shown in  FIG.  1   . In some embodiments, the shape of the sub-trace can be other suitable shape depending on actual requirements. 
     In one embodiment, the first sub-trace  1110  includes a first half-trace  1111  and a second half-trace  1113 . The first half-trace  1111  is coupled to the first node N 1 . In another embodiment, the second sub-trace  1120  includes a third half-trace  1121  and a fourth half-trace  1123 . The first half-trace  1111  and the third half-trace  1121  are coupled to each other at the first node N 1 . 
     In one embodiment, the first crossing connection portion  1130  includes a first crossing connection element  1131  and a second crossing connection element  1133 . The first crossing connection element  1131  is coupled to the first half-trace  1111  and the fourth half-trace  1123 . In addition, the second crossing connection element  1133  is coupled to the second half-trace  1113  and the third half-trace  1121 . As shown in the figure, the first crossing connection element  1131  and the second crossing connection element  1133  are coupled to each other in an interlaced manner. 
     In one embodiment, the second trace  1200  includes a third sub-trace  1210  and a fourth sub-trace  1220 . Besides, each of the third sub-trace  1210  and the fourth sub-trace  1220  includes a first terminal and a second terminal. As shown in the figure, the first terminal (e.g., the upper terminal) of the third sub-trace  1210  is coupled to the second node N 2 , and the first terminal (e.g., the upper terminal) of the fourth sub-trace  1220  and the first terminal of the third sub-trace  1210  are coupled to each other at the second node N 2 . 
     In one embodiment, the third sub-trace  1210  includes a fifth half-trace  1211  and a sixth half-trace  1213 . The fifth half-trace  1211  is coupled to the second node N 2 . In another embodiment, the fourth sub-trace  1220  includes a seventh half-trace  1221  and an eighth half-trace  1223 . The fifth half-trace  1211  and the seventh half-trace  1221  are coupled to each other at the second node N 2 . 
     In one embodiment, the second crossing connection portion  1230  includes a third crossing connection element  1231  and a fourth crossing connection element  1233 . The third crossing connection element  1231  is coupled to the fifth half-trace  1211  and the eighth half-trace  1223 . In addition, the fourth crossing connection element  1233  is coupled to the sixth half-trace  1213  and the seventh half-trace  1221 . As shown in the figure, the third crossing connection element  1231  and the fourth crossing connection element  1233  are coupled to each other in an interlaced manner. 
     In one embodiment, the inductor device  1000  further includes a connection element  1300 , and the connection element  1300  is coupled between the fourth half-trace  1123  and the eighth half-trace  1223 . 
     In one embodiment, the capacitor C and the connection element  1300  are located at two sides of the inductor device  1000  respectively. For example, the capacitor C is located at the upper side of the inductor device  1000 , and the connection element  1300  is located at the lower side of the inductor device  1000 . 
     In one embodiment, the first crossing connection portion  1130  and the second crossing connection portion  1230  are located at two sides of the inductor device  1000  respectively. For example, the first crossing connection portion  1130  is located at the left side of the inductor device  1000 , and the second crossing connection portion  1230  is located at the right side of the inductor device  1000 . 
     In one embodiment, the capacitor C and the connection element  1300  are disposed in a first direction, the first crossing connection portion  1130  and the second crossing connection portion  1230  are disposed in a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. For example, the capacitor C and the connection element  1300  are disposed in a vertical direction as shown in the figure, and the first crossing connection portion  1130  and the second crossing connection portion  1230  are disposed in a horizontal direction as shown in the figure. Therefore, the two directions are perpendicular to each other. 
     In one embodiment, the inductor device  1000  further includes a first input/output terminal  1410  and a second input/output terminal  1420 . The first input/output terminal  1410  is coupled to the second half-trace  1113 . The second input/output terminal  1420  is coupled to the sixth half-trace  1213 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to the structure as shown in  FIG.  1   , and it is merely an example for illustrating one of the implements of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  2    depicts an application diagram of the inductor device  1000  shown in  FIG.  1    according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, when the induced signal flows through the first crossing connection portion  1130  and the second crossing connection portion  1230  which are symmetrical to each other, the induced signal flows from the inner wire to the outer wire of the first trace  1100  or the second trace  1200 , or the induced signal flows from the outer wire to the inner wire of the first trace  1100  or the second trace  1200  so as to make the induced signals in the inner wire and the outer wire being more uniform, such that the induced signals in the inner wire and the outer wire can be cancelled. The inductor device  1000  of the present disclosure can improve third order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) about 2˜3 dBs. 
       FIG.  3    depicts an operation diagram of the inductor device  1000  shown in  FIG.  1    according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, an inductor  5000  can be disposed inside the inductor device  1000  in  FIG.  3   . It is noted that, the element in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , whose symbol is similar to the symbol of the element in  FIG.  1   , has similar structure feature in connection with the element in  FIG.  1   . Therefore, a detail description regarding the structure feature of the element in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the structure as shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , and the shape and the type of the inductor device which is disposed inside the inductor device  1000  can be other suitable shape and suitable type depending on accrual requirements. Moreover, the present disclosure is not limited to the structure as shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , and it is merely an example for illustrating one of the implements of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  4    depicts a schematic diagram of an inductor device  1000 A according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared to the inductor device  1000  shown in  FIG.  1   , the difference in the inductor device  1000 A in  FIG.  4    is the disposition of the connection element  1300 A, the first input/output terminal  1410 A, and the second input/output terminal  1420 A, which will be described in detail below. 
     As shown in the figure, the connection element  1300 A of the inductor device  1000 A in  FIG.  4    is coupled between the second half-trace  1113 A and the sixth half-trace  1213 A. In one embodiment, the first input/output terminal  1410 A is coupled to the fourth half-trace  1123 A. The second input/output terminal  1420 A is coupled to the eighth half-trace  1223 A. It is noted that, the element in  FIG.  4   , whose symbol is similar to the symbol of the element in  FIG.  1   , has similar structure feature in connection with the element in  FIG.  1   . Therefore, a detail description regarding the structure feature of the element in  FIG.  4    is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the structure as shown in  FIG.  4   , and it is merely an example for illustrating one of the implements of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  5    depicts an operation diagram of the inductor device  1000 A shown in  FIG.  4    according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, when the induced signal flows through the first crossing connection portion  1130 A and the second crossing connection portion  1230 A which are symmetrical to each other, the induced signal flows from the inner wire to the outer wire of the first trace  1100 A or the second trace  1200 A, or the induced signal flows from the outer wire to the inner wire of the first trace  1100 A or the second trace  1200 A so as to make the induced signals in the inner wire and the outer wire being more uniform, such that the induced signals in the inner wire and the outer wire can be cancelled. The inductor device  1000 A of the present disclosure can improve IMD3 about 2˜3 dBs. 
       FIG.  6    depicts an application diagram of the inductor device  1000 A shown in  FIG.  4    according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, an inductor  5000 A can be disposed inside the inductor device  1000 A in  FIG.  6   . It is noted that, the element in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , whose symbol is similar to the symbol of the element in  FIG.  4   , has similar structure feature in connection with the element in  FIG.  4   . Therefore, a detail description regarding the structure feature of the element in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6    is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the structure as shown in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , and the shape and the type of the inductor device which is disposed inside the inductor device  1000 A can be other suitable shape and suitable type depending on accrual requirements. Moreover, the present disclosure is not limited to the structure as shown in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6   , and it is merely an example for illustrating one of the implements of the present disclosure. 
     It can be understood from the embodiments of the present disclosure that application of the present disclosure has the following advantages. The inductor device of the present disclosure may induce high frequency signal (e.g., second harmonic) of inductor (e.g.,  5000 ,  5000 A) inside the inductor device. After the high frequency signal is amplified by additional circuit, the amplified high frequency signal is able to cancel negative effect to the circuit caused by second harmonic. For example, the capacitor of the inductor device is used to let high frequency signal pass and block low frequency signal. Therefore, the inductor device is able to deal with signals in high frequency or low frequency by two kinds of inducing manner. 
     Besides, since the filter is disposed inside integrated circuit (IC), for example, the inductor device, of the present disclosure, there is no need to dispose a filter outside of the inductor device, so as to prevent an outer filter from affecting the circuit or prevent additional costs. In addition, the crossing structure of the present disclosure with symmetrical disposition can make the induced signals in the inner wire and the outer wire flow in an interlaced manner, such that the induced signals in the inner wire and the outer wire can be cancelled. The inductor device of the present disclosure can improve IMD3 about 2˜3 dBs. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.