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Reconfigurable multi-stack inductor

  • US 9,218,903 B2
  • Filed: 09/26/2013
  • Issued: 12/22/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A reconfigurable multi-stack inductor structure formed within a semiconductor structure, comprising:

  • a first inductor structure located within a first metal layer of the semiconductor structure;

    a first ground shielding structure located within the first metal layer that is electrically isolated from and circumferentially bounds the first inductor structure;

    a second inductor structure located within a second metal layer of the semiconductor structure, the second inductor structure electrically coupled to the first inductor structure;

    a second ground shielding structure located within the second metal layer that is electrically isolated from and circumferentially bounds the second inductor structure, wherein the first and the second inductor generate a first inductance value based on the first ground shielding structure and the second ground shielding structure being coupled to a ground reference, and wherein the first and the second inductor structure generate a second inductance value based on the first and the second ground shielding structure electrically floating;

    a ground plane located within a third metal layer of the semiconductor structure; and

    a first switch coupled between the ground plane and the first and the second ground shielding structure, wherein upon actuation of the first switch to a closed position, the first ground shielding structure and the second ground shielding structure are coupled to the ground reference provided by the ground plane to generate the first inductance value, and wherein upon actuation of the first switch to an open position, the first ground shielding structure and the second ground shielding structure are electrically isolated from the ground reference provided by the ground plane to generate the second inductance value.

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