On-chip integrated voltage-controlled variable inductor, methods of making and tuning such variable inductors, and design structures integrating such variable inductors

• Main Authors: MINA ESSAM F, DING HANYI, WOODS WAYNE H
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.03.2012
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; IMPEDANCE NETWORKS, e.g. RESONANT CIRCUITS; INDUCTANCES; MAGNETS; RESONATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES; SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TRANSFORMERS

On-chip integrated variable inductors, methods of making and tuning an on-chip integrated variable inductor, and design structures embodying a circuit containing the on-chip integrated variable inductor. The inductor generally includes a signal line configured to carry an electrical signal, a ground line positioned in proximity to the signal line, and at least one control unit electrically coupled with the ground line. The at least one control unit is configured to open and close switch a current path connecting the ground line with a ground potential so as to change an inductance of the signal line.