Slab inductor device providing efficient on-chip supply voltage conversion and regulation

摘要

A voltage conversion circuit such as a buck regulator circuit has a plurality of switches coupled to a voltage source; a slab inductor having a length, a width and a thickness, where the slab inductor is coupled between the plurality of switches and a load and carries a load current during operation of the plurality of switches. The voltage conversion circuit can also include means to reduce or cancel a detrimental effect of other wires on same chip, such as a power grid, that conduct a return current and thereby degrading the functionality of this slab inductor. In one embodiment the wires can be moved further away from the slab inductor and in another embodiment magnetic materials can be used to shield the slab inductor from at least one such interfering conductor.

主权项

1. A voltage conversion circuit, comprising:
a plurality of switches coupled to a voltage source; and a slab inductor having a length, a width and a thickness, the slab inductor being coupled between the plurality of switches and a load and carrying a load current during operation of the plurality of switches; where the slab inductor is coupled to the load through a power grid that comprises at least one conductor, and where the power grid has an aperture made therein that underlies a location where the slab inductor is disposed above the power grid.