Tunable diplexers in three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits (IC) (3DIC) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the tunable diplexer may be formed by providing one of either a varactor or a variable inductor in the diplexer. The variable nature of the varactor or the variable inductor allows a notch in the diplexer to be tuned so as to select a band stop to eliminate harmonics at a desired frequency as well as control the cutoff frequency of the pass band. By stacking the elements of the diplexer into three dimensions, space is conserved and a variety of varactors and inductors are able to be used.

Claims

19 · 4 independent · depth 2

19 granted claims

›1.independentA three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC), comprising:na first tier comprising at least one inductor, wherein the at least one inductor …+8

›2.↳ 1The 3DIC of claim 1 wherein the at least one varactor comprises a silicon on glass (SOG) varactor.d2

›3.↳ 1The 3DIC of claim 1 wherein the through substrate via inductor comprises a through glass via (TGV) inductor.d2

›4.↳ 1The 3DIC of claim 1 wherein the at least one inductor and the at least one varactor form a low pass (LP) filter within the tunable diplexer.d2

›5.↳ 1The 3DIC of claim 1 further comprising a second varactor positioned in the second tier coupled to a plurality of second inductors in the first tier, t…d2

›6.↳ 1The 3DIC of claim 1 wherein the at least one varactor is configured to adjust a notch frequency of a filter within the tunable diplexer.d2

›7.↳ 1The 3DIC of claim 1 wherein the through substrate via inductor is configured to control a cutoff frequency for a filter within the tunable diplexer.d2

›8.↳ 1The 3DIC of claim 1 integrated into a semiconductor die.d2

›9.↳ 1The 3DIC of claim 1 integrated into a device selected from the group consisting of a set top box, an entertainment unit, a navigation device, a commun…d2

›10.independentA method of forming a tunable diplexer, comprising:nforming an inductor in a first tier of a three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC) whe…+4

›15.independentA three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC), comprising:na first tier comprising at least one through substrate via inductor wherein the a…

›16.independentA tunable diplexer integrated circuit (IC), comprising:na first frequency port configured to transceive first signals having a first frequency band;a …+3

Classifications

1 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section H — Electricity

H03H7/46

Claim changes

Soon

Coming soonHow the claims changed between publication and grant

See which claims were amended, added or cancelled during examination, with every added and removed word marked.

AmendedAddedCancelledUnchanged

The published claims of this patent are not paired with the granted ones in what we hold.

File wrapper

Pendency

3.0 y

1,093 days filing → grant

Office actions

non-final + final

Responses

2 RCE

Examiner

Kimberly Glenn

art unit —

Law firm

Law firm · Log in to unlock

Citations: 79 back · 0 forward

See the full prosecution history — every USPTO and applicant action on this file, in order.

Term & fees

See the term timeline — pendency span, in-force span, the maintenance fees paid and both computed expiry dates.

Priority chain

1 priority documents

›Priority documents — 1

Type	Document	Date
related publication	US 20140327496 A1	6 Nov 2014

Validity challenges

See the validity challenges on record — reexaminations, IPRs and PGRs, with their institution decisions and outcomes.

Citations

See every patent this one cites and every patent that cites it back — publication, assignee, and how each one was found.