CN110690034A - Transformer structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a transformer structure, which comprises a first inductor and a second inductor. The first inductor has a first turn and a second turn. The second inductor has a third turn and a fourth turn. The first turn of the first inductor and the third turn of the second inductor are mutually arranged in a first region of the first metal layer. The second turn of the first inductor and the fourth turn of the second inductor are mutually arranged in a second region of the first metal layer. The first region is adjacent to the second region.

Description

Transformer structure

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an inductor structure. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a transformer structure.

Background

Nowadays, inductor devices and transformer structures formed by inductors are essential in integrated circuits. However, achieving a satisfactorily higher inductance generally results in a reduction of the coupling coefficient and the quality factor. Therefore, improvements in these transformer structures are needed.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a transformer structure with good quality factor (Q value).

The present disclosure relates to a transformer structure. The transformer structure includes a first inductor and a second inductor. The first inductor has a first turn and a second turn. The second inductor has a third turn and a fourth turn. The first turn of the first inductor and the third turn of the second inductor are mutually arranged in a first region of the first metal layer. The second turn of the first inductor and the fourth turn of the second inductor are mutually arranged in a second region of the first metal layer. The first region is adjacent to the second region.

As described above, the transformer structure includes two symmetrical inductors, a first inductor and a second inductor. The first inductor and the second inductor form a double transformer. The turns of the first and second inductors are arranged to sense currents flowing from different directions, and the magnetic fields generated by the inductors are offset from each other. Therefore, the transformer structure has less impact on other parts in the integrated circuit board, and thus is difficult to couple through alternating current signals carried on other parts or metal segments. As a result, the quality factor obtained from such a transformer structure is good.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are by way of example, and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a transformer structure according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a transformer structure according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a transformer structure according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating experimental results of a transformer structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art and in the specific context in which each term is used. The use of examples in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or any exemplary terms. Also, the present disclosure is not limited to the various embodiments presented in this specification.

As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like are to be construed as open-ended, i.e., meaning including, but not limited to.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, implementation, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the use of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, implementations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

In the following description and claims, the terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. In particular embodiments, "connected" and "coupled" may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other, or may also mean that two or more elements may be in indirect contact with each other. "coupled" and "connected" may still be used to indicate that two or more elements co-operate or interact with each other.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a transformer structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the dual planar inductors as the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 200 form a transformer structure. The first inductor 100 comprises a first turn 110 and a second turn 120. The second inductor 200 includes a third turn 210 and a fourth turn 220. The first inductor 100 and the second inductor 200 semiconductor substrates 11, 32, …, 31, …, … are disposed substantially on a first metal layer of an integrated circuit substrate (not shown). As shown in fig. 1. 1, shown in a first imaginary line L1. The first imaginary line L1 passes through the center of the first metal layer of the integrated circuit board, dividing the first metal layer of the integrated circuit board into a first area a and a second area B. The first region a has a first region a. The center point CA and the second area B have a second center point CB. The first turn 110 of the first inductor 100 and the third turn 210 of the second inductor 200 are centered on the first center point CA, which are concentrically arranged in the first area a. The second turn 120 of the first inductor 100 and the fourth turn 220 of the second inductor 200 are concentrically disposed in the second region B based on the second center point CB.

In an embodiment, the first area a has four sides, i.e. a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. As shown in fig. 2. 1, the first side of the first area a is the upper side of the first area a, and the second side of the first area a is the left side of the first area a. Further, the third side of the first area a is a lower portion of the first area a. The fourth side of the first area a is the right side of the first area a. The second area B has a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, similar to the first area a. The same is true in this respect. Likewise, the first side of the second area B is the upper side of the second area B, and the second side of the second area B is the left side of the second area B. Further, the third side of the second area B is the lower side of the second area B, and the fourth side of the second area B is the right side of the second area B. In this case, it is preferable that the air conditioner,

as shown in fig. 1, a first inductor 100 of a first turn 110 is disposed in a first region a and includes a first port 111 and a terminal 112. The first port 111 is arranged at a first side of the first area a, outside the area covered by the first turn 110 and the third turn 210. The terminal 112 is arranged between the third and fourth sides of the first area a, substantially within the area covered by the first turn 110 and the third turn 210. . As shown, the first turn 110 is disposed on the first region a in an inside-out manner. Specifically, the first turn 110 is wound in a counterclockwise manner from the first side to the second side of the first region a, and then from the third side to the fourth side. Note that the first turn 110 of the first inductor 100 is essentially formed by three and half turns of the metal segment in the first area a.

As shown in fig. 1, the first inductor 100 of the first turn 110 is disposed in the second region B and includes an initial end 121 and a second port 122. The starting end 121 is arranged at a third side of the second area B, substantially within the area covered by the second turn 120 and the fourth turn 220. The second port 122 is arranged on a first side of the second area B, outside the area covered by the second turn 120 and the fourth turn 220. . As shown, the second turn 120 is disposed on the second region B from the initial end 121 to the second port 122 in an inside-out manner. Specifically, the second turn 120 is wound in a clockwise manner from the third side to the second side of the second region B, and then from the first side to the fourth side. Note that the second turn 120 of the first inductor 100 is essentially formed by three and half turns of the metal segment in the second region B.

As shown in fig. 1, the first inductor 100 further includes a first horizontal connection segment HCU 1. The first horizontal connection segment HCU1 is disposed on a second metal layer different from the first metal layer. On the integrated circuit board, the second metal layer is an upper layer or a lower layer with respect to the first metal layer. Note that, as shown in the above figure, if each of the first area a and the second area B has a projected area on the second metal layer, the first horizontal connecting piece HCU1 extends from one projected area to the other area. More specifically, although the first horizontal connection segment HCU1 is disposed on the second metal layer, the first horizontal connection segment HCU1 serves to bridge metal segments on the first metal layer. One end of the first horizontal connection segment HCU1 is connected to the terminal end 112 of the first turn 110 through a first vertical connection segment VCU1, and the other end of the first horizontal connection segment HCU1 is connected to the initial end 121. A second turn of the second turns 120 is via a second vertical connection segment VCU 2. The first inductor 100 of the first port 111 is electrically connected to the first inductor 100 of the second port 122 through the bridge 1 of the first horizontal connection segment HCU. In the present embodiment, the first port 111 and the second port 122 are two differential ports arranged in parallel. Further, the first horizontal connection segment HCU1 is connected to a first center-tapped CT 1. The first direction D1 parallel to the first imaginary line L1 extends toward the first direction DR 1. As shown in this figure, the first port 111, the second port 122, and the first center tap CT1, 100 of the first inductor all extend in a first direction DR 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the second inductor 200 of the third turn 210 includes a third port 211, a first extended section 212, a third vertical connection VCU3, a first connection CP1, and a terminal 213. Note that the third port 211 is provided on the third metal layer. The third metal layer is an upper or lower layer on the integrated circuit board relative to the first and second metal layers. As shown in the above figures, if the first area a has a protruding area on the third metal layer, the third port 211 is oppositely disposed at a third side within the protruding area of the first area a. The third port 211 is connected to one end of the first extension 212, wherein the first extension 212 is disposed on the third metal layer. In the top view of the integrated circuit board, the first extension 212 is C-shaped. The other end of the first extension section 212 is connected to the first connection end CP1 via a third vertical connection section VCU 3. The first connection terminal CP1 is disposed substantially between the first side and the fourth side of the first area a, on the first metal layer. The third turn 210, on the first metal layer, is arranged from the first connection end CP1 to the inside and outside of the termination 213. The third turn 210 is wound from the fourth side to the third side of the first area a and then wound in a clockwise direction from the second side to the first side. The terminal 213 is arranged between the first side and the fourth side of the first area a, substantially outside the area covered by the third turn 210. It should be noted that the third turn 210 of the second inductor 200 is essentially formed by a two-turn metal segment in the first area a. The third turn 210 of the second inductor is integrally formed of two and a half turns of metal segments into 200 if the third port 211 and the first extension 212 disposed on the third layer are included.

As shown in fig. 1, the second inductor 200 of the fourth turn 220 includes an initial end 221, a second connection end CP2, a fourth vertical connection segment VCU4, a second extension 222 and a fourth port 223. The start 221 is arranged 2 between the first side and the second side of the second area, the second connection end CP of B, is arranged substantially between the first side and the fourth side of the second area B, on the first metal layer. A fourth pass 220, on the first metal layer, from the initial end arrangement 221 to the inner and outer of the second bonding end CP 2. The fourth turn 220 is wound from the second side to the third side of the first region a and then from the fourth side to the first side in a counterclockwise manner. The second connection end CP2 is connected to one end 222 of the second extension portion via a fourth vertical connection segment VCU, 4. The second extension 222 is disposed on the third metal layer. As shown in the above figure, if the second region B has a projected area on the third metal layer, the second extension 222 is oppositely disposed within the projected area of the second region B. The second extension 222 is formed in a C shape in a plan view of the integrated circuit board. The other end of the second extension 222 is connected to a fourth port 223. As shown, the fourth port 223 is oppositely disposed at a third side within the projection area of the second area B. Note that the fourth turn 220 the second turn of the second inductor 200 is essentially formed by a two-turn metal segment in the second region B. The fourth turn 220 of the second inductor 200 is entirely composed of two half-turn metal segments if it comprises a fourth port 223 and a second extension 222 arranged on a third layer.

As shown in fig. 1, the second inductor 200 also includes a second horizontal connection segment HCU 2. The second horizontal connection segment HCU2 is disposed on the third metal layer. It should be noted that if each of the first area a and the second area B has a projected area on the second metal layer as shown in the above-described view, the second horizontal connecting segment HCU2 extends from one of the other projected areas to be opposite. More specifically, although the second horizontal connection segment HCU2 is disposed on the third metal layer, the second horizontal connection segment HCU2 serves to bridge the metal segments on the first metal layer. One end of the second horizontal connection segment HCU2 is connected to the terminal end 213 of the third turn 210 through the fifth vertical connection segment VCU5, and the other end of the second horizontal connection segment HCU2 is connected to the initial end 221 of the third turn 210. The fourth turn 220 is via a sixth vertical connection segment VCU 6. The third port 211 and the second inductor 200 are electrically connected to the second inductor 200 of said fourth port 223 by a bridge of a second horizontal connection segment HCU 2. In the present embodiment, the third port 211 and the fourth port 223 are two differential ports arranged in parallel. Further, the second horizontal connection segment HCU2 is connected to a second center tap CT2, the second center tap CT2 being parallel to the first imaginary line L1 and extending toward the second direction DR 2. As shown, the second direction DR2 is opposite the first direction DR 1. In an embodiment, the third port 211, the fourth port 223 and the 200 of the second inductor of the second intermediate tap CT2 all extend in the second direction DR 2.

Generally, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 1, the first inductor 100 is formed of a first turn 110 and a second turn 120, as shown in fig. 1. As shown in the above figures, the first inductor 100 is a substantially figure-eight planar inductor. In the embodiment of fig. 1, as shown in fig. 1, the second inductor 200 is formed by a third turn 210 and a fourth turn 220. As shown in the above figure, the second inductor 200 is also a figure-of-eight planar inductor. It should be noted that in each of the first and second regions a, B, the turns of the first and second inductors 100, 200 are arranged to each other.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a transformer structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the biplane inductors as the third inductor 300 and the fourth inductor 400 form a transformer structure. The third inductor 300 includes a fifth turn 310 and a sixth turn 320. The fourth inductor 400 includes a seventh turn 410 and an eighth turn 420. Generally, the arrangement of the third inductor 300 and the fourth inductor 400 is similar to the first inductor 100 and the second inductor 200 shown in fig. 1. 1. The third inductor 300 and the fourth inductor 400 are disposed substantially on the first metal layer of the integrated circuit board. However, as compared to the embodiment of fig. 1, as shown in fig. 1, the fifth turn 310 and the sixth turn 320 in the present embodiment have different numbers of turns in the first region a and the second region B, respectively. The seventh turn 410 and the eighth turn 420 in this embodiment have different numbers of turns in the first region a and the second region B, respectively. Therefore, the third horizontal connection segment HCU3 is provided to connect the fifth turn 310 with the sixth turn 320 based on the difference in the number of turns of the third inductor 300. The third horizontal connection segment HCU3 is connected to a third center tap CT3 extending in the first direction DR 1. In this embodiment, a pair of differential ports DPS1 is disposed on the third metal layer, connected to the seventh turn 410 and the eighth turn 420 of the fourth inductor 400. A pair of differential ports DPS1 extend toward the second direction DR 2. From the top view, the fourth horizontal connection segment HCU4 is disposed between the projected areas of the first area a and the second area B to connect the seventh turn 410 and the eighth turn 420 on the first metal layer. In addition, a fourth horizontal connection segment HCU4 is connected to a fourth center-tapped CT 4. Extending towards the second direction DR 2.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a transformer structure according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the dual planar inductors as the fifth inductor 500 and the sixth inductor 600 form a transformer structure. The fifth inductor 500 includes a ninth turn 510 and a tenth turn 520. The sixth inductor 600 includes an eleventh turn 610 and a twelfth turn 620. Generally, the arrangement of the fifth and sixth inductors 500, 600 is similar to the first and second inductors 100, 200 shown in fig. 1. 1. The fifth inductor 500 and the sixth inductor 600 are disposed substantially on the first metal layer of the integrated circuit board. However, as compared to the embodiment of fig. 1, as shown in fig. 1, the ninth turn 510 and the tenth turn 520 in the embodiment have different numbers of turns in the first region a and the second region B, respectively. The eleventh turn 610 and the twelfth turn 620 have different numbers of turns in the first region a and the second region B, respectively, in this embodiment. Also, in the present embodiment, the fifth inductor 500 includes a third extension 511 and a fourth extension 521. The third and fourth extensions 511 and 521 are disposed on the second metal layer within the projection areas of the first and second areas a and B. Similarly, sixth inductor 600 includes a fifth extension segment 611 and a seventh extension segment 621. The fifth and seventh extensions 611 and 621 are disposed in the projection areas of the first and second areas a and B on the second metal layer.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating experimental results of a transformer structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 1. In fig. 4, the horizontal axis represents frequency, and the vertical axis represents values of the Q factor and the L factor. Curve Q1 shows the quality factor obtained from the first inductor 100 of the transformer structure of fig. 1. 1. Curve Q2 shows the quality factor obtained from the second inductor 200 of the transformer structure of fig. 1. 1 piece. It is clear that at most frequencies, the fluctuations of the curves Q1 and Q2 substantially match. That is, the Q factor of the dual inductor is ideal and symmetric. Curve L1 shows fig. 1 of the transformer structure for mutual inductance 100 obtained from the first inductor. Curve L2 shows the mutual inductance obtained from the second inductor 200 of the transformer structure of fig. 1. At most frequencies, the fluctuation curve L2 of the curve L1 substantially matches. That is, the inductance of the dual inductor is symmetrical.

Although the present disclosure 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 in the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A transformer structure comprising: a first inductor having a first turn and a second turn; and a second inductor having a third turn and a fourth turn; wherein the first turn of the first inductor and the third turn of the second inductor are mutually arranged in a first area of the first metal layer and the second turn of the first inductor and the fourth turn of the second inductor are mutually arranged in a first area of the first metal layer, a second area of the first metal layer, wherein the first area is adjacent to the second area.

2. The transformer structure of claim 1, wherein the first inductor includes a first port and a second port, the first port and the second port disposed on the first metal layer.

3. The transformer structure of claim 2, wherein the first port and the second port are differential ports.

4. The transformer structure of claim 2, wherein the first port is disposed in the first region and the second port is disposed in the second region.

5. The transformer structure of claim 4, wherein the first port is disposed outside of an area of the first area covered by the first and third turns, and the second port is disposed outside of an area of the second area covered by the second turn.

6. The transformer structure of claim 1, wherein the second inductor includes a third port and a fourth port, the third port and the fourth port being disposed on a second metal layer.

7. The transformer structure of claim 6, wherein the third port and the fourth port are differential ports.

8. The transformer structure of claim 6, wherein the third port is disposed in a third region of the second metal layer and the fourth port is disposed in a fourth region of the second metal layer.

9. The transformer structure of claim 8, wherein the third port is arranged outside of an area of the third area to which the first area and the third turn are projected, and the fourth port is arranged outside of a second area of the second area by the second turn and projected to a fourth turn.

10. The transformer structure of claim 9, wherein the second inductor comprises a first metal segment connected to the third port and a second metal segment connected to the third port, the first metal segment extending through an area of the first and second turns of the third area, projecting a third turn thereon, and extending a second metal segment over an area of a fourth area onto which the second and fourth turns are projected.

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