Wire capacitor for transmitting AC signals
US9929722B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01L2223/6627
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments herein describe a transmission line used to carry an AC signal (e.g., a high-speed clock signal) between two different voltage domains in an IC. Instead of dividing the transmission line into multiple segments each with a buffer, in one embodiment the transmission line is arranged to form a capacitor. That is, the conductive material forming the transmission line is arranged in the IC to result in a desired capacitance. This capacitance can be used to replace a discrete capacitor that would otherwise be used with a buffer (e.g., level shifter) located at the end of the transmission line for converting the AC signal from a first voltage domain to a second voltage domain.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.